We’re an independent, LGBTQ+, locally-owned, bookstore located on historic Last Chance Gulch in Helena, Montana. We've been in downtown Helena since 1978!

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. In 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.

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 everywhere, science is real, women's bodies are their own, no humans are illegal and more. And we don't just state this, we have built our business on supporting nonprofits and community organizations who work on issues of social justice. Some of those entities include Montana Racial Equity Project, Montana Human Rights Network, RAICES, Black Lives Matter, The Friendship Center, The Machiwminahnahtik Chippewa Cree Language Revitalization project, Heart Butte School, YWCA Helena, Montana Independent Living Project, Grandstreet Theatre, Intermountain, The Holter Museum, Helena Education Foundation and various student clubs/groups/sport teams within the surrounding districts.

We work with local entities to provide a place to shop local and buy in bulk with bulk discount pricing. We also provide a 20% discount to librarians and educators with a school ID, and 15% off for veterans and service members.

MT Book Co has books for all ages, greeting cards, stationery, vinyl, gifts, author readings, book clubs, community events, workshops 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, pick out a favorite pen and journal, join us for an author event, or find a book club that's right for you!

Can't find a book you're looking for, or need us to dig for a hard-to-find title? We offer special orders of both books and vinyl. Get in touch!