518 Romantasy, a mobile bookstore focused on romance, fantasy, and mysteries, debuted last month in upstate N.Y., the Times Union reported.
Built out of a 10'×6' trailer and based near Albany, N.Y., 518 Romantasy made its first appearance on May 5. Alongside romance and fantasy titles, owner Taylor Loccisano carries a selection of YA and children's titles, as well as nonbook items like bookmarks and stickers. Blind dates with a book are a specialty, and Loccisano noted that children can pick up one book per week for free.
Loccisano, who is a chef by trade, told the Times Union that in 2023, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros introduced her to romantasy and rekindled her love of reading. She delved deeper into the genre in the following years, and in March she purchased the trailer that would become 518 Romantasy. With the help of her husband, it was ready to go by early May.
"I am one of those people that kind of likes to escape," Loccisano explained. "So fantasy is up my alley. The name kind of came about naturally.... I came up with 518 Romantasy because I wanted it to be local and stay local."
Loccisano has taken 518 Romantasy to a variety of markets and festivals near Albany, and she makes weekly appearances at the North Greenbush town offices in Wynantskill, N.Y., for Food Truck Wednesdays.