Peanut butter and jelly, chips and salsa, milk and cookies—some things just go better together. But what about books and plants? Well, that’s a match made in heaven you’ll see for yourself once you step inside Bike Trail Books and The Split Leaf Co. store now in downtown Loveland.
This unique shop combines the charm of a local bookshop with the freshness of a plant store, offering visitors a warm and inviting atmosphere. Walls lined with crisp, new books coexist with vibrant greenery, creating a cozy environment for book lovers and plant enthusiasts alike.
Brooke Hathaway DeSantis, Loveland resident and owner of Bike Trail Books, started her business in 2023 out of a desire to bring a locally owned bookshop to Loveland. “I always thought to myself, ‘Loveland needs a bookstore,’” she smiles. “It was an idea that I couldn’t get out of my head.” Initially operating in a smaller space above Hometown Café, Brooke soon realized she needed more room to grow.
Inspired by a similar concept she encountered while traveling, Brooke proposed the idea of co-retailing to Samantha Watts, owner of The Split Leaf Co. Sam, who previously ran her plant business from the Morrow Arts Center, was immediately on board. The partnership allowed them to share rent, increase visibility, and create a larger space for workshops and events. “I loved the idea of books and plants together,” Brooke explains. “But I needed to find the right fit—when I met Sam, we immediately hit it off.”
Sam started The Split Leaf Co. in 2020 after leaving the military with a brain injury and PTSD. Before getting more hands-on with greenery, she admits she killed every plant she owned. Determined to move forward, she found working with plants calmed her anxiety. The company was born out of her passion for succulents, and then grew into all things houseplants. “I love that this new venture satisfies people’s passion for plants and books,” says Sam. “It’s been the best decision. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive.”
Now Sam and Brooke share their passion and knowledge by interacting with customers, holding workshops, and providing one-on-one experiences. “We’re a neighborhood store that offers a level of customer service that just can’t be found online,” Brooke says. “We provide a welcome respite for those who want to feel a book, pick out the perfect plant, or browse slowly—instead of just clicking ‘add to cart.’”
Since opening in August, the store has become a bustling community hub. Bike Trail Books exclusively sells new books in various genres for all ages, and hosts seven different book clubs a month. The bright and cheery children’s corner gives even the littlest readers something to explore, with weekly story times on Tuesdays and Saturdays. They also host special events such as Princess Story Time, Yoga in the Bookstore, overnight reading retreats—and this month, a talk and book-signing with local bestselling author, Jessica Strawser, on November 11. For its part, The Split Leaf Co. offers customers a curated selection of plants, succulents, and hand-crafted arrangements, along with hands-on events to get creative like container painting and succulent and moss wall workshops.
With the holidays just around the corner, this dynamic duo is sure to have something for every voracious reader and aspiring plant purveyor, including a Moss Holiday Wreath class and a Succulent Christmas Tree workshop, as well as Read with Santa, which includes a wrapped book from the jolly man himself. In addition, there will be extra store magic during Loveland’s tree lighting and Christmas in Loveland.
BikeTrailBooks.co | TheSplitLeafCo.com | 113 Karl Brown Way, Loveland
“We provide a welcome respite for those who want to feel a book, pick out the perfect plant, or browse slowly—instead of just clicking ‘add to cart.’” - Brooke