A Colorado Bookstore Is Delivering ‘Mystery Bags’ of Hand-Picked Books to Quarantined Customers

From online sales to private browsing sessions, bookstores have found creative ways to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Atlas Obscura reports, one bookshop in Boulder, Colorado, is continuing to serve its community by delivering cozy goodie bags to customers.

Trident Booksellers and Café was forced to close its bookstore to the public along with the rest of Boulder's non-essential businesses in late March. But instead of halting operations completely, the shop has started bringing its wares to customers wherever they're quarantined.

For $50, people can sign up to receive a "mystery bag" of books hand-picked by Trident staff members. When placing their orders, buyers can indicate what they're in the mood to read—like mystery or historical nonfiction, for example—and Trident will send them four to six titles based on their taste. The care package also includes a bag of tea or coffee beans, depending on the customer's preference.

To get orders out locally, store employees deliver them by bike while wearing gloves and masks. Orders to places outside Boulder are mailed via USPS for a flat $5 shipping fee. Trident has sold hundreds of the goodie bags since launching the promotion.

If you're interested in supporting the store and stocking up on reading material for quarantine, you can request a mystery bag on Trident's website. Here are more ways to support independent bookstores in your neighborhood and beyond.

[h/t Atlas Obscura]