The DMV is getting its first romance bookstore next month
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Friends to Lovers owner Jamie Fortin. Photo: Courtesy of Enchante Marketing
The D.C. area is getting its first romance bookstore next month amid a boom in the genre.
The big picture: A slew of stores dedicated to selling romance books have popped up across the country in spots like Boston, Chicago and Minneapolis.
- This comes as the romance genre has seen big growth due in part to #BookTok and a new wave of romance novels inclusive of diverse experiences and perspectives.
State of play: Jamie Fortin, who works in lobbying full-time and got into romance books as a happy escape during COVID, is opening Friends to Lovers in Alexandria's Old Town in November.
- "It was pretty obvious to me that there was a big community for this," the 28-year-old tells Axios.
When she floated the idea of doing a series of romance book pop-ups around D.C. to her book club and Bookstagram followers, she quickly realized there was enough demand for something more permanent — a la San Diego's Meet Cute bookshop or The Ripped Bodice in New York and Los Angeles.
- "A lot of men would say, 'Oh, this is too niche. What are you doing?''' says Fortin. "And women were always like, 'Where have you been? This needs to happen yesterday.'"
How it works: Expect to find something for everyone at the store, says Fortin.
- Diversity will be baked into the line-up, she says, with books featuring queer, BIPOC and disabled representation across romance sub-genres.
- "When we say [a book is a] 'small town romance,' [don't] just assume it's a white straight couple," Fortin tells Axios.
And, yes, expect some spicy content on the shelves.
Also on the line-up: Book club gatherings, book launch parties and events with local authors.
Between the lines: The name Friends to Lovers is a nod to one of Fortin's favorite romance book tropes. (She's also a big fan of the classic "Whoops, there's only one bed!" trope.)
The bottom line: Fortin is quick to point out that while there's been a recent interest spike in romance, the genre has staying power — think of the centuries-long popularity of "Pride and Prejudice," she says.
- And she wants the shop to be a place where people can celebrate and gather over their love for these books. "We have a beautiful and rich culture of readers in D.C."
If you go: Friends to Lovers will soft open Nov. 1.
- And while its grand opening celebration on Nov. 14 is sold out, expect a series of events throughout the weekend.
- It'll be at 103 S St. Asaph St. in Alexandria.