Life & Work with Katie Bierzychudek of Denver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Bierzychudek.

Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in an environment that emphasized a love of learning, reading and community. These values have informed every decision I’ve made and ultimately helped me become the Store Manager of the Tattered Cover flagship location on Colfax.

I was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado and my parents are both K-12 educators in Jefferson County. They made reading a central activity for me and my siblings; I grew up going to Tattered Cover, first in Cherry Creek then later Highlands Ranch/Aspen Grove. Many of my earliest memories are from the countless hours spent with the Denver book scene at stores like Tattered Cover, the Bookies, and many different libraries and literary events.

I attended Chatfield Senior High, where I was introduced to works such as Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. The world of literary fiction intrigued me, and I chose to go to Regis University to pursue more knowledge of the human condition.

A core Regis value is investment in the community on every level, and I found a home with the English Department community, and with the Psychology Department. With their support, I pursued a thematic degree in Cognitive Literary Studies, an interdisciplinary field involving cognitive psychology and its approaches to literature. My then-advisor, Dr. David Hicks, connected me with Tattered Cover through some Regis Alumni who worked at TC at the time. As part of my degree, I worked as the TC Marketing and Events Intern from January 2020 through the Covid closure in March. I was based out of the Colfax location, and this eventually turned into a Bookseller role the following fall, after public places began opening back up from the COVID-19 shutdown.

I continued to work at Tattered Cover Colfax throughout my studies as an Assistant Manager, and upon completion of my degree was offered the Store Manager position, which I have since maintained.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been as bumpy as Colfax Ave is with the BRT construction right now!

My tenure at Tattered Cover is best described as “transitionary”: the COVID-19 shutdown was just the first challenge I witnessed at TC.

I was there for three different inventory/computer systems, the first of which was only weeks after I started in my Bookseller role. Our local IT department did a good job with getting these new systems operational, and teaching an entire company how to use a new system is never an easy process. A few months in there were still continual challenges with the utilization of the new system, so I took the opportunity to develop training materials and systems for Colfax using my interest in cognitive development, which eventually ended up being adopted for other TC locations as well. These materials were used until we switched systems under new ownership again last year.

Leadership changes are generally difficult, no matter the level they occur at. I worked under two different Store Managers at Colfax before coming into the role. This overlapped with three CEO transitions (and many other changes to company leadership), bankruptcy and two ownership transitions, which resolved with the emergence from bankruptcy after being purchased by Barnes and Noble at the end of July 2024.

All of these changes, along with all the typical challenges and privileges of being on East Colfax, have made the last few years anything but stagnant.

There are so many layers to each of these challenges, and through this time it was uncertain if we would make it through until July 2024. The recent acquisition has come with many challenges, as they generally do, but we are functioning as our own entity with Derek Holland, a TC Bookseller since 1989, as our Managing Director. With the support of BN, our team has been able to reestablish many of our key programs like our extensive Author and Community Events (where I started out!), Used Books, and our Friends of Tattered Cover Membership.

Nearly all of our employees are from before Barnes & Noble pulled us out of bankruptcy, and it is from these many challenges that I have found that Tattered Cover Booksellers to be some of the most resilient, resourceful, and kind people you can find. We have an amazing team that is constantly looking to grow, and I am so excited to see where we can go from here with our new resources.

This transitionary process has also proven how amazing our community truly is. So many of our wonderful customers stuck with us all the way, and it is because of their support that our shelves are full again, that we are still able to host amazing events, continue to act as a third space, and serve delicious locally-sourced coffee and café products just as we used to back in the day. The mission has always been, and will always remain, how we can best serve our communities.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the Store Manager of Tattered Cover Colfax, which means I wear many different hats, with the most important being that of a bookseller.

The role of a Bookseller is very much a calling. It is one of the oldest professions in the world, and bookshops and libraries are here to stay, ever evolving in relation to technology. Many people are rediscovering the magic of walking into a bookstore and wandering. There is curation and intention on every shelf, but no algorithms. There is a very specific joy in finding a book that you don’t realize you need in your life, until you do. Helping to create that environment, finding the right book for anyone who walks in, and welcoming everyone into the space they need is the joy of the job. You get the best of human interactions, and I have the pleasure of working with phenomenal staff every day.

As a Bookseller, I specialize in queer, speculative fiction recommendations (especially if they’re cozy), but I have a strong background in Romantic literature, poetry, and middle grade fiction (although I have my favorites in most sections).
Various types of creative problem-solving makes up most of the rest of my job, whether that be addressing payroll, conducting training and coaching staff, making coffee and covering breaks, putting in repair requests, de-escalating security concerns, filing reports for security/safety concerns, working out the best merchandising placement, or being a carpenter. I have learned more about plumbing with this job, than I thought I would…ever.

My goal coming into the Store Manager role was to be a steady presence in the midst of consistent turmoil for my staff, which translates onto the book floor. I believe I am known for this, as well as my specific approach to management which is based in kindness and compassion. On the customer side, this means ensuring that everyone is welcome in the store as long as they are respectful to others. Other times, compassion may mean making difficult choices or having hard conversations, as there cannot be growth without discomfort. With that, I always aim for an inclusive, diverse environment where everyone – customers or staff – feels comfortable asking questions or offering ideas. The expectation is that there is always work to be done and always room to improve. Defensiveness and assumptions only get in the way of growth, and for a team of over 30 different personalities who don’t always overlap directly, the cultivation of a good environment is so important. I am incredibly proud of the team for making it through so many tough years, and being willing to reflect on what needs to change to make sure things are ever-improving for customers and staff.

My most powerful skillset is in understanding how different facets of my life intersect (whether that be identity, professional balance, or disciplines of study). My understanding of the current workforce environment is that it is rare to have such a direct career path as I’ve had at Tattered Cover. These opportunities that I’ve been given are a mix of “right place / right time” and being able and willing to pursue these opportunities as they’ve come up. I missed out on promotions before the Store Manager position, and those were also opportunities to reflect and improve. It really made me think about why I wanted the Store Manager job, and what I specifically could bring to it with my background in cognitive training and development and literature, as well as my values and aptitude.

It was difficult navigating so many continual challenges, many of which I didn’t touch on here, and I have been so fortunate to have so many opportunities for growth while working with a fantastic team. We are all products of each other, and I would not be where I am today without the continual support of my community whether that be my direct family, my Regis community, our new Barnes and Noble community, or my wonderful friends and coworkers at Tattered Cover.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Life is a combination of luck and taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. I think it is beneficial to really sit with what you want to do, and why you have a unique viewpoint on whatever your goal is. If you can’t think of what you specifically bring that others don’t, think about what you would like to bring and cultivate those skills. Interacting with others in your field is so important.

Also, the world is a scary, tough place right now. Taking care of yourself is a very important priority, as you can’t really be you if you’re constantly burnt out. And, sometimes taking care of yourself means taking a stand, investing in your community, and doing little things that improve the world.There’s balance everywhere, and you don’t have to do it alone.

If you need a little community, but don’t know where to start, join a book club!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tatteredcover.com
• Instagram: tatteredcoverbookstore
• Facebook: tatteredcoverbookstore
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tatteredcoverbookstore/

Image Credits
Lexie Robbins