Montana Book Company is an independently owned, LGBTQ+, woman, and veteran owned bookstore located on historic Last Chance Gulch in downtown Helena, Montana. We offer a curated selection of new books, gifts, greeting cards and stationery for all ages. We also offer book clubs, author events, and workshops. Our welcoming and inclusive space is the perfect place to find the latest book releases and classic titles. Stop in and browse our bookshelves, connect with community, join us for an event, or let us help you find the perfect book.
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 said, we advocate for issues of social and racial justice. We don't just believe this, we have built our business on supporting and collaborating with nonprofits and community organizations who work on issues of art, education, environment, healthcare, literacy, social justice, and more. 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 & recreation groups within the surrounding districts.
We love books, we love our community and we are engaged in advocacy efforts for folks far and wide so we continue our efforts to be allies and grow as allies to people of color and other marginalized groups.
You are welcome here. You are loved.
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 Flanders provided books and teaching supplies to the Helena community. In 1998, Judy sold the store to best friends Didi and Jan Peccia who raised their children in the store and eventually integrated toys renaming the store Montana Book & Toy Company. 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.
Awards
Best of Helena 2018-2023
Articles
Transgender woman, bookstore, teacher sue over Montana law banning drag reading events
The LGBTQ-owned Bookstore that Rallied a Community - The Guardian and Montana Free Press by Mara Silvers
We are one of the 56-LGBTQ+ owned bookstores highlighted on Oprah Daily!
Of Course, a Bookstore with a Social Justice Mission Can Succeed in a Red State - Triple Pundit by Kate Zerrenner
Bookselling Spotlight: Montana Book Company - Publisher's Weekly by Nathalie op de Beeck
New Billboard Shows Love for LGBTQ+ Youth in Helena - KTVH by Jaurdyn Johnson
Memberships
For almost 125 years, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) has been the guiding voice for independently-owned bookstores. Founded in 1900, ABA is a national not-for-profit trade organization that supports the success of independent bookstores.
The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of literacy, free speech and independent bookselling in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.