Most Ardently Books, a romance-focused bookstore in Eugene, Ore., held a grand opening celebration Saturday, July 25, the Register-Guard reported.
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| Jamie Markwell | |
Located at 1670 W. 11th Ave., Most Ardently debuted on June 18 and sells a variety of romance titles with an emphasis on diversity and representation. Alongside books, owner Jamie Markwell carries stickers, totes, and an assortment of bookish gifts.
The grand opening festivities on Saturday included cupcakes from a local baker, a free raffle for all attendees, a prize wheel and giveaways, an appearance from a pop-up soda shop, and a signing with local romance author Janine Amesta.
A romance reader since she was 13, Markwell said she'd dreamed of opening a romance store for years but did not think it was feasible until she saw the wave of romance bookstores opening around the country. Initially she planned on opening a mobile bookstore and even bought a trailer, but when she and her husband found an ideal space on 11th Ave., she decided to go the bricks-and-mortar route.
Looking ahead, Markwell intends to increase the store's selection of books by LGBTQ+, indigenous, and local authors, while expanding the store's events program. The signing with Amesta was actually the store's first author event; she plans to host more, and she'll debut two new book clubs in August, with one focused on contemporary romance and another on historical romance. At a later date she would also like to add a sports romance book club and an LGBTQ+ romance book club.
Markwell said the bookstore has been well-received so far. "It's been so rewarding for me having people come in and enjoy the space already and tell me, like, 'Thank you for doing this. Thank you for being here.' I've almost cried a few times because people have just been so lovely, and it just makes me feel so good.
"That's what keeps me going. There's definitely been nights where I've cried because it's stressful and it's hard, but then having people come in and be so happy that I'm here has just been the biggest gift."