Montana Book Co.

Who Are We: We’re an independent, LGBTQ+, locally-owned, bookstore located on historic Last Chance Gulch in downtown Helena, Montana.  We offer books for all ages, greeting cards, stationery, vinyl, gifts, author readings, book clubs, community events, and more! Our welcoming and inclusive space is the perfect place to find the the latest book releases and classic titles. Stop in and browse our book shelves and connect with our community, join us for an author event, or find a book club that's right for you! We are defenders of equality, women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC folks. We are also anti-fascist and anti-racist and community centered.

Our History

Montana Book Company was started in 1978 by Judy Flanders who operated under the franchise Little Professor and later, Montana Book Company, for twenty years providing books and teaching supplies to the Helena community. I 1998 Flanders sold the store to best friends - Didi and Jan Peccia - who raised their children in the store and eventually integrated toys and renamed the store Montana Book & Toy Co. Twenty years later, Didi sold the business to Chelsia Rice and Charlie Crawford - the current owners. Charlie was raised in Helena and met Chelsia while they were in college in Portland, Oregon where Chelsia was raised. They became owners on July 1, 2018 and brought back the original name with a new direction.

Our Mission
To build community and defend equal rights through promoting engagement in social justice through advocacy, giving and philanthropy, and to provide a space where everyone is welcomed and has access to stories that reflect their experience.

We recognize that the land upon which we do business is the land of the Bitterroot Salish, Blackfeet (including Kainaiwa, Piikani, Siksika), Kootenai, and Upper Pend d’Oreille people. We believe in human rights, that Black Lives Matter, that trans people belong in Montana and everywhere, science is real, bodily autonomy is a human right, no humans are illegal and more. And we don't just believe this, we have built our business on supporting nonprofits and community organizations who work on issues of literacy, education, and social justice. Some of those entities include Montana Racial Equity Project, Lewis and Clark Library Foundation, Machiwminahnahtik (Chippewa Cree Language Preservation), Helena Education Foundation, Montana Human Rights Network, RAICES, Transgender Law Center, National Abortion Funds, Planned Parenthood and various local nonprofits and student clubs/groups/sport teams within the surrounding districts.