Máia W.
Yelp
As a longtime customer, I enjoyed a number of book signings and spent countless hours browsing the shelves over the last 30 years.
However, it will be a long time if I ever step foot into any Tattered Cover location again. Their rambling statement released on June 6 disgusted me and revealed multiple areas of concern about their operational philosophy, treatment of employees over the last 5 years and a demonstrated a distinct lack of will to support basic human rights. Only after experiencing the enormity of backlash from customers, staff & others did Len Vlahos & Kristen Gilligan recant their original statement and issue a rather flimsy apology. "We are horrified at having violated your trust," they said. "We deserve your outrage and disappointment."
Many Denver customers of all stripes rallied around this store during the pandemic shut down of businesses, purchasing from them to support a local institution. Their motives for an apology may be something else, but it seems to have come only when they realized how much business they stood to lose as word continued to spread and began to reach media exposure. Ultimately the rationalization of their failure to make a stand was a huge slap in the face to those that have supported Tattered Cover.
To quote Len & Kristen, "An apology is only a first step." Yes, you will indeed be judged going forward. Yes, you are in dire need of educating yourselves. Only time will tell if your once loyal employees and patrons return to give you another chance. Meanwhile, a considerable number of your former customers are taking our dollars elsewhere until you actually catch a clue and demonstrate significant awakening.