If McKenna Martin’s life was a book, it would be quite the page-turner. The WSU grad combined her creative streak, business savvy and love for romance books into a wildly successful pop-up store called Lovestruck in Seattle.

Seattle’s first brick-and-mortar romance bookshop opened as a temporary pop-up on Lake City Way over the summer with the help of Seattle Restored, a program that fills empty storefronts while supporting local artists and entrepreneurs.

The shop opened July 13 with all-day lines wrapping around the block. Her inventory was swiftly devoured by eager readers in the local book community. The shop was an instant classic, and now Martin has announced a permanent storefront is opening soon.

Lovestruck in Seattle gained a cult-like following before its Lake City opening thanks to the power of social media. So it was fitting that Martin made the exciting announcement on her Instagram Stories, writing, “We found our happily-ever after space.” The new shop will open Saturday, Oct. 25 in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood, not far from its first chapter in Lake City.

Seattle Refined caught up with Martin just days after the pop-up opened, as books and merch continued to fly off the shelves. She reflected on the opening day reception, “I’m still kind of in shock. I mean, I kind of had an idea, but I am just overwhelmed with how crazy it was.”

The Lake City shop is small, bright, bursting with pink, and buzzing with people. It carries everything from indie sapphic slow-burns to spicy fantasy paperbacks, alongside Martin’s handmade bookmarks, sweatshirts, tumblers, Kindle inserts, stickers, candles — you name it.

Every non-book item? She made it herself.

“Palm Creative is all me. I design everything and make it all in my apartment,” she said.

The Lake City location will remain open until October 19 as Martin scurries to get the new space ready to open later that week. She launched a new website and Kickstarter campaign for supporters to join her journey.

Martin says the Wedgwood shop will have a fun-filled two-day grand opening with author signings, freebies, flash tattoos and more. Follow Lovestruck in Seattle on Instagram for updates.

If McKenna Martin’s life was a book, we’re going to need a full series.

READ MORE | Lovestruck in Seattle: The romance bookshop that went viral