Twin Cities Romance Bookstore Celebrates First Bookstore Romance Day

As Bookstore Romance Day approaches on August 17th, one local independent bookstore is preparing to mark the occasion with a special celebration.

Tropes & Trifles, Minnesota's only dedicated romance bookstore, will host its first Bookstore Romance Day event since opening its permanent location earlier this year.

A New Chapter for Romance Readers

Tropes & Trifles, which opened its doors in April 2024, is the brainchild of Lauren Richards and Caitlin O'Neil. The pair met in a romance book club and bonded over their shared passion for the genre.

"We saw a real need for a space dedicated to romance in the Twin Cities," said Richards. "Romance is consistently one of the top-selling genres in publishing, but it's often underrepresented on bookstore shelves."

The store's journey began with a series of pop-ups in late 2023, followed by a temporary closure for remodeling before its grand opening this spring.

Now, Tropes & Trifles occupies an 800-square-foot space in south Minneapolis, offering a curated selection of romance titles across various subgenres.

Celebrating Diversity in Romance

O'Neil and Richards have made it their mission to showcase the diversity within the romance genre. The store's shelves feature works by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors, as well as books exploring various relationship dynamics and identities.

"We want to challenge preconceptions about romance novels," O'Neil explained. "Our goal is to provide stories with happy endings for everyone, regardless of their background or identity."

Bookstore Romance Day Events

For Bookstore Romance Day, Tropes & Trifles has planned a series of special events.

Visitors can participate in a store-wide scavenger hunt, with three themed gift bags up for grabs. The owners also hint at potential author appearances and reading recommendations throughout the day.

"We're excited to celebrate our first Bookstore Romance Day in our permanent space," said Richards. "It's a chance for us to connect with our community and share our love for the genre."

As independent bookstores across the country prepare to celebrate romance literature, Tropes & Trifles stands as a testament to the genre's enduring popularity and evolving landscape in the Twin Cities.

Tropes & Trifles is located at 2709 E. 38th St., Minneapolis. For more information about their Bookstore Romance Day events, visit tropesandtrifles.com.

Photo byAziz AcharkionUnsplash

Sources:

• About Us | Tropes & Trifles (tropesandtrifles.com)
• Love Stories Flourish at Tropes and Trifles Bookstore - Mpls.St.Paul Magazine (mspmag.com)
• Woman-owned romance bookstore Tropes and Trifles now open in Minneapolis - CBS Minnesota (cbsnews.com)