Romance Bookstores Opened Across U.S. Since 2023
The surge of over 230 new romance-focused shops mirrors the massive popularity of the #BookTok community.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Sex Life
Live Poll
Do you think the current boom in specialized romance bookstores is a lasting retail trend?
More than 230 romance bookstores have opened throughout the United States between 2023 and 2026. This growth in specialized retail reflects a broader trend of romance reading that accelerated during the pandemic.
Why it matters
The BookTok community on TikTok has become a primary driver of industry interest, with the hashtag currently garnering more than 370 billion views. This digital engagement has translated into significant physical bookstore expansion across the country.
Over 230 specialty romance bookstores have launched nationwide since 2023, including more than 50 locations that opened in 2026 alone. The #BookTok community on TikTok currently boasts over 370 billion views on its hashtag.
The players
The Ripped Bodice
This specialty romance bookstore launched in Culver City in 2016 and expanded to Brooklyn three years ago.
Bmore Romantic
This new bookstore is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and is planning a grand opening event in mid-October 2026.
The details
Specialty romance shops leverage visually aesthetic store designs and social media influencer marketing to attract readers who connect through online reviews and recommendations. Pioneers like The Ripped Bodice, which opened in Culver City in 2016 and expanded to Brooklyn three years ago, have helped pave the way for this retail movement.
Timeline
2016: The Ripped Bodice opened its original location in Culver City.
2023-2026: More than 230 new romance bookstores opened across the United States.
2026: Over 50 new romance bookstores began operations.
mid-October 2026: Bmore Romantic is scheduled to hold a grand opening event.
Culture Shift
The current expansion of physical bookstore locations follows the pattern set by the viral growth of #BookTok content. This transition from online discovery to brick-and-mortar storefronts marks a departure from the previous decade of bookstore consolidation.
Readers can expect more local access to curated romance titles and community events centered on popular literary trends. These new shops provide physical spaces for fans to meet, discuss recommendations, and participate in the vibrant community culture established online.
The takeaway
The rise of specialized romance bookstores shows that digital community engagement can successfully drive physical retail traffic. Readers looking to participate can seek out local shops that capitalize on aesthetic designs and social media-driven reading lists.
What happens next
Bmore Romantic is scheduled to hold its grand opening event in Baltimore, Maryland, in mid-October 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest trends in the Sex Life section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inc..
Live Poll
Do you think the current boom in specialized romance bookstores is a lasting retail trend?
