A new independent bookstore is opening in North Park, and it’s all about one genre: romance.
Named after the popular trope, Meet Cute is one of the few romance-focused bookstores in the country. Owner Becca Title is a longtime reader of the genre.
“It’s the best-selling genre in the United States. It’s been a very long time,” Title said. “It’s a billion dollar (per) year industry. I think people really underestimate that about it.
During the pandemic lockdown, she reflected on her next career steps and decided to quit practicing law to open a small bookstore in San Diego.
Its goal is to create a dynamic space for novel readers to meet and bond around the books they love.
“In a world where you can buy almost anything online, a physical storefront is really a place for communities to come together and it’s something the romance community is looking for,” she said.
The store will feature decorative displays that Title hopes will shine a light on stories and authors often underrepresented in the genre. Title said it is also looking to bring more attention to these authors through book clubs and events.
“When you only have a general bookstore, we all fight for shelf space,” said Susan Lee, a local romance author. Her debut novel, Seoulmates, is set in San Diego and follows two Korean-American leads.
For authors like Lee, specialty stores like Meet Cute are important because romance books can be front and center instead of competing with other genres. Lee said it creates more opportunities for shelf representation.
“Meet Cute has already committed to really showing off a diverse display and book offerings, and I’m really excited about that. And I think that’s exactly what we need,” she said. .
For a long time, Lee said, people viewed romance as a guilty pleasure. She thinks Meet Cute can help change that perception as readership grows.
“There’s a place where we can be proud of the books we read and not apologize for them. And I think if you can do that in a safe space, eventually we can do it anywhere in any place. what bookstore, library or bus stop,” she said.
And what exactly attracts readers to romance?
For Title, it’s about the promise of a happy ending. Because at its core, romance is about hope, especially in a time when it’s getting harder and harder to find.
“I personally prefer not to be subjected to the emotional spin and end up sad at the end. There’s enough for me in the world. So I think it’s a hopeful genre, and I think it’s something that really has value, especially now,” Title said.
Meet Cute will have its grand opening on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.