2023 marks five years as owners of MT Book Co. and because of the support for our work, our store, and our community, we're ready for some revitalization. Montana Book Company has been in downtown Helena for over 45 years.... and so have our bookshelves.

It's true. Our bookshelves are as old as Chelsia. We slightly modified them when we bought the business (sawing off the light boxes, staining the fresh cuts, spray painting old signage and using lots of Command Strips to tack them back up), but we can't get new bookshelves that match when we need more room or one breaks. Therefore, we're working with local woodworkers at Joshua Tree Cabinetry to install wall-to-wall, built-in bookshelves throughout the store. Building begins in the first week of January and a portion of the installation should be done by the time we are done with inventory. Below are draft images of the style - not the color - of the forthcoming bookshelves.

Next, we will improve movement on the sales floor with redesigned and repositioned registers to make sure everyone, as well as people with wheelchairs and other mobility devices, can navigate and make purchases with ease. We'll be closer to the stairs, which will free up space in the middle of the store so that people can walk in the door without running into people in a check-out line.

Once our registers are relocated, bookshelves will begin to be installed along the North wall and on the back wall of the children's section where we'll make more space for processing inventory. Eventually, additional fixtures will be installed near the entrance to Sole Sisters and in the future, we hope to also have new floor fixtures to match.

We really can't say enough about Joshua Tree. They have been efficient, flexible, organized, kind and so easy to work with. We are grateful to Kalina Vander Poel at Mosaic Architecture for the introduction, and for helping us envision a new layout and generate fun and fiscally-minded ideas.

And last but not least, it's time to update the front of our building with some color. We've been working for months with Rae Senarighi, the Missoula-born artist behind our You Are Loved billboards (go see his work at Holter Museum this spring from January - April!). Featuring books spines and specifically requested Montana wildflowers, a rainbow/spectrum of color will extend from the front door to the top of the building.

When we started discussing our plans and costs with other small business owners in Helena, we were reluctant to look into crowdfunding to help us offset the cost of these projects. We were, however, encouraged by several to give it a go. So here we are humbly asking for your support. Of course, any amount helps, but if we can answer any questions about cost, materials, or our business partners please don't hesitate to ask.

These are big projects, but we are committed to them. We believe in the importance of independent bookstores and we love our community. While there will be some disruptions now and then, we will stay open to keep our people employed and ensure your continued access to the store. We hope that revitalizing the inside and outside of the store will ensure that our bookstore remains in downtown Helena for another 45 years.