A Love Affair Book Boutique, a romance-focused bookstore, has opened in Red Wing, Minn., the Post Bulletin reported. Located at 222 Bush St., Suite 109, A Love Affair Book Boutique debuted in January and focuses on the contemporary romance, dark romance, and romantasy sub-genres. The store features space where customers can sit down and relax and where owner Chelsie Yotter can host events and book clubs. The store's first big event will be a ticketed Galentine's Day event on February 13 that will include book bedazzling, tarot readings, treats, and more.
Yotter, who is a romance author as well as a special education teacher, first started selling books at pop-up events throughout southeast Minnesota. Eventually, Yotter decided to open a bricks-and-mortar store and begin building community in Red Wing.
"I don't want this big dream to just sit out there," Yotter told the Post Bulletin. "And the worst thing that happens is it fails, but I would hate that I didn't try [and] in 50 years I look back and say, 'God, I wish I would have done that.' "
Yotter is keeping her job as an educator, and for now the store's hours are centered on weeknights and weekends. So far, the store has met with an enthusiastic response.
"Since being open for a couple of weeks, the connections that I've made with people have been so great," said Yotter. "Everyone that comes in is just so excited to be there and they're so happy... to get to express themselves through this medium of reading and reading about love."