(Photo courtesy of Narrow Gauge Book Coop). The Narrow Gauge Book Coop will be hosting a week’s worth of events to celebrate their third anniversary of coming back into business.

Come celebrate!

ALAMOSA — The Narrow Gauge Book Coop is celebrating its second anniversary the week of Aug. 11-15, with fun events being planned each. Starting Tuesday, Aug. 11, there will be a member/owner drive including special perks for new owners and members. There will also be an in-store scavenger hunt for kids, complete with prizes for everyone who completes it.

On Wednesday, there will be a drawing for a Narrow Gauge Book Coop book bag. Customers making any kind of purchase that day will qualify. On Thursday, there will be an announcement of the winners of a kids’ writing contest. Friday will feature the start of a window design contest. Also, Fabulous Friday Volunteers will be featured, with volunteers being honored. Saturday will be Member Appreciation Day, with discounts for all members.

In addition, there will be free shipping of one book for those who order online during that week. Each additional book shipment will cost only one dollar. Be sure to join in celebrating! In the summer of 2018, the Narrow Gauge Book Store announced it was closing after 40+ years of operation.

A group of concerned citizens got together, raised money and bought the store. It reopened as the Narrow Gauge Book Coop. The former owner was very generous with the endeavor and many, many people were very generous with their money and volunteer time. It is now community-owned by people who buy $100 or $500 shares, and also supported by members who pay $25 a year in exchange for a discount on purchases.

The Coop sells new, used and local books as well as other quality items, such as locally made foods, art, and journals. It also features an online bookstore. Customers can make special orders online, over the phone or in person. Before Covid-19, the store hosted local author readings and artists, children’s events and various book clubs. It plans to do so again!

The Coop is a special place as a community hub. Its existence is a testament to the commitment of the Valley community in having a local bookstore. It plans to continue its mission of being “A community run book cooperative growing a culture of literacy by offering a diverse selection of new and used books and community workshops and events.”

Future plans include stocking a section of homeschooling supplies, a new magical children’s section, an enlarged selection of books about the Valley and the surrounding area, and also books written by people living in the Valley and the surrounding area. The Co-op always carries best sellers and a variety of books on topics from agriculture to Zen Buddhism.

Currently, the Co-op at 602 Main Street in Alamosa is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 719-589-3464. To browse the local inventory, find out more information on becoming an owner or member, or order a book online, go to https://www. narrowgaugebooks.com.