Romance-focused bookstore Tropes & Trifles has opened a holiday storefront in Minneapolis, Minn., Racket reported.
Located at 2709 E. 38th St. in Minneapolis's Standish neighborhood, the bookstore officially opened on November 11. Co-owners Lauren Richards and Caitlin O'Neil carry all manner of romance sub-genres, with the single largest section being contemporary romance.
An emphasis on diverse authors and stories carries across all of the store's offerings, which also include romance-adjacent classics, YA, and nonfiction pertaining to subjects such as gender and sexuality. Both traditionally published and independent authors are available, and Richards and O'Neil have spotlighted the work of local authors. The shop also features a "trope of the month" display, which for November was "grumpy to sunshine." Nonbook items include stickers, cards, earrings, and book sleeves.
The store owners met through a romance book club, and late last year they started talking in earnest about opening a store together. They made a number of pop-up appearances around Minneapolis prior to opening the holiday storefront, which will run through the end of the year. Though only a few weeks old, the store has met with an enthusiastic response from the community.
"I think everyone has their own reason why they come to the genre, and there really is something for everyone, as long as they're open to exploring," O'Neil told Racket. "There is such a wide variety--there's a trope for everyone, there's a happy ending for everyone."
While they have not officially announced plans for what they'll do after the holiday season ends, they did say the store will "exist in some form" next year. Noted O'Neil: "We quit our jobs to be here, we are doing this!"