Off the Beaten Path is Under New Ownership

New Owners of Off the Beaten Path

Ron and Sue Krall are excited to announce the sale of Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, Coffeehouse and Bakery Cafe to Danielle and Mike Skov. The sale, which was months in the making, was effective July 13, 2022.

The Kralls purchased the bookstore from Dick and Leslie Ryan in 2008, moving it to 9th Street when the new owners of the 7th Street property chose to create the Ghost Ranch Saloon rather than continue to house the longtime local gathering place. “It has been a privilege to write Chapter Two of Off the Beaten Path, and we couldn’t be more pleased to hand her over to the Skovs to write Chapter Three,” said Ron Krall.

“It’s been a long, winding, and sometimes treacherous journey placing books and coffee in the hands of our customers,” said Sue Krall. “We are grateful to our customers for their support of reading, literacy and the values of an independent bookstore, and for the many kindnesses shown us these last 15 years,” she said.

After meeting at Northwestern University, Mike and Danielle Skov moved to Steamboat Springs where they have resided for the past 24 years.  Mike and Danielle have raised three children in Steamboat– Lark, Mac, and Posy. Mike works for the engineering firm ESI. Danielle has taught in Steamboat for 14 years,  as a reading specialist and classroom teacher. She will continue to stay involved with the schools and continue to be a supporter of reading as she takes over operations of Off the Beaten Path Bookstore.

“Owning and operating Off the Beaten Path combines my passion for reading and community. As a teacher, I get the greatest fulfillment in getting great books into the hands of my students and inspiring a love of reading. I am excited to now get great books into the hands of all of our community members and visitors. Most importantly, as a lover of our town, I am excited to be a gathering place for readers and coffee enthusiasts in Steamboat” said Danielle Skov. 

Off the Beaten Path Bookstore will continue to be a community gathering place and a provider of Good Books, Good Coffee, and Good Friends to the Yampa Valley at the main location and the coffee bar in Bud Werner Memorial Library. “We are delighted that the general manager, Megan Mertens, and the rest of the awesome staff will be staying on with us. Together we will strive to live up to our motto” said Skov.

“Danielle and I deeply appreciate the kindness and support of Ron and Sue during the transition. We appreciate all they have done for both the bookstore and the community. We are thrilled to be able to ensure that such a community treasure will remain locally owned and independent.” said Mike Skov.

Since Off the Beaten Path opened its doors in 1990, it has been Steamboat Springs' largest full-service bookstore and coffee shop. Located right in historic downtown Steamboat, it's a hotspot for locals and tourists to find a good book, good coffee, and a good friend. Not only do we provide spectacular selections of books, games, puzzles and gifts, we host many events that make our store a second home. Visit our website to stay up to date on events and new titles!

If you have any questions please contact the general manager, Megan Mertens, at Manager@SteamboatBooks.com, call (970) 879 - 6830, or visit our store location at 68 Ninth Street, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.

Letter from the Old Owners

Dear Customers and Friends,

Like many of you, on one of our first ski vacations to Steamboat - 1991, we believe - we discovered the best of its many charms, Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, Coffeehouse and Bakery Cafe. Over our years as visitors, we never failed to enjoy lunch, coffee and cart away enough books to tide us over til we returned. When we were contemplating retiring here to live full time in late 2007, we learned that Off the Beaten Path might close, and we made the decision that we didn’t want to live in a Steamboat without Off the Beaten Path. So began our journey.

From Edgar Sawtell to All the Light We Cannot See to Cutting for Stone to Nothing Daunted ... Breakfast in the Books, The Vagina Monologues, Poetry Slams and thanks to the best Cafe Mocha this side of the Continental Divide, Big Trains, Harvest Muffins, Triple Berry Scones, the Big Chipper and oh those peanut butter cookies, we survived the move to 9th Street, the 2008 financial crisis, Amazon, eBooks and the Kindle, the paving of Lincoln Avenue, and Covid-19! And along the way we (ok, Emily) birthed BookTrails. 

Now it’s time for another transition, in large part prompted by knowing the Skovs and their commitment to Off the Beaten Path and the role it plays in our community. We won’t pretend this transition isn’t bittersweet - we will miss being introduced as the owners of Off the Beaten Path! But it is sweeter for the confidence that the bookstore is in good hands - owner and team - and that our legacy of service to the community will continue.

Of all the joys Off the Beaten Path has given us, the greatest has been the pleasure of working alongside so many fascinating, intelligent, curious, creative booksellers, baristas and bookistas. We thank and applaud you, for it’s you who have made the experience of visiting OTBP - as we have come to know it - special.

Now we come full circle, back to being good, no, great customers. We aren’t going away, just changing sides of the checkout counter! And we look forward to seeing all of you on the same side!

Sue and Ron Krall

Letter from the New Owners

Dear loyal patrons,

We are thrilled and honored to be the new owner of Off the Beaten Path. Our family has grown up here in Steamboat over the past 24 years, and Off the Beaten Path has been a cornerstone in the town we love. As the new owners, it’s important to us to help foster community spirit and that special something that makes Steamboat unique.

Acknowledging Sue and Ron Krall, for the great work they’ve done with Off the Beaten Path, and the great people they are is essential. Working with them through this transition has been a pleasure because they are clearly so passionate about the bookstore and the community. 

Megan, Jenna, Kim and the rest of the staff also deserve a shout-out. We are so pleased everyone is staying on, and we look forward to learning more about business and books with all of you. We don’t foresee making any immediate changes at the store or the cafe but we are eager to hear what all of you have to say.

For us, this is the perfect fit, combining our passion for reading and community. Together, our family is committed to making Off the Beaten Path the best place to work, gather, caffeinate and shop in downtown Steamboat. Or as the motto says: Good Books. Good Coffee. Good Friends. 

Please come visit us so we can share our excitement with you!

Danielle and Mike Skov