Bookstore bookshelf with "very hype!" signField Day Books & Bottles is a queer-owned bookstore that encourages customers to seek out new experiences.Kitty McLeod-Martinez

It’s been nearly a decade since Kitty McLeod-Martinez and Alec Ballweg met in the Rose Room at Powell’s Books, where they worked together.

They stayed friends even while pursuing non-literary careers — McLeod-Martinez as an art studio manager, Ballweg as a project manager for various nonprofits — and through it all, held on to the shared dream of one day starting a shop of their own.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.