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Velvet Bookmark bookstore opens on Main
Great Bend Chamber Coffee Recap
velvet bookmark ribbon cutting
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce followed its Dec. 18 coffee with a ribbon cutting at Great Bend’s new bookstore, the Velvet Bookmark. It is located inside the Beauty Bar at 1409 Main. Shelly Peacock and Megan Barfield started the niche bookstore that specializes in romance novels. For the ribbon-cutting ceremony photo, Barfield is holding the big scissors with Peacock next to her (holding the store logo printout). Chamber Ambassadors are shown holding some of the books. - photo by photo by Susan Thacker/Great Bend Tribune

This week’s Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee was at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, where the Golden Belt Community Foundation celebrated the 2025 Big Charity Giveaway. Nearly $1 million was donated to nonprofit organizations during this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign. (See story at https://www.gbtribune.com/news/local-news/giving-tuesday-great-charity-giveback-sees-record-donations-in-2025/)

Following the coffee, Chamber ambassadors and others were invited to visit a new business, The Velvet Bookmark, located inside The Beauty Bar at 1409 Main St., for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Velvet Bookmark is a niche bookstore specializing in romance novels. It was started by Megan Barfield and Shelly Peacock. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, but they are also open some evenings and Saturdays. Follow the business (The Velvet Bookmark GBK) on Facebook or Instagram to be notified of additional hours and events. They’ll be open from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22.


Chamber announcements

• Cups of Cheer with the Great Bend Chamber continues Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22-23. Come to the Chamber board room at 1125 Williams St. between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to enjoy coffee, hot cocoa, cookies, and open doors. Drop in for a relaxed, festive atmosphere and enjoy a moment of holiday calm amid the busy season.

“These small acts of hospitality are part of our commitment to building a stronger, more connected Great Bend,” said Megan Barfield, chamber president and CEO. “Elevating our community starts with elevating the way we treat one another and, sometimes, that’s as simple as sharing a warm drink and a smile.”

Anyone new to Great Bend can pick up a free Relocation Packet.

• The next Great Bend Chamber Coffee will be at 9 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2026, at the Catholic Charities Golden Harvest Thrift Store at 2410 Main.

For more information, contact the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at 620-792-2401, visit greatbend.org, or follow the Chamber on social media for updates.