NORTH CHARLESTON — Calling all book lovers. Find your happily ever after this weekend, even if it’s just on paper.
The Romance Bookstore Lovers Market invites fans of the ever-booming literary genre to gather in Park Circle for a morning dedicated to reading, baked goods, plants, sewing, coffee, book merch and more.
Alexis Wentland, owner of mobile book bus Bound to Bindings, is organizing the Aug. 10 event from 9 a.m. to noon in the Condon Family Law parking lot at 1090 E. Montague Ave.
The market is a mix of celebration for National Bookstore Romance Day, held annually Aug. 9, and promotion for the vintage school bus Wentland converted into a European-style bookstore on wheels — fondly called the “Smut Bus.”
“I really wanted to do a market that was geared towards what romance bookstore lovers love,” she said, adding “I didn’t want it to be something that was too big and too out of control.”
As a single mom and member of the LGBTQ+ community, Wentland prioritizes collaborating with local, female and LGBTQ+ business owners and invited many of her favorites to join.
Vendors at Sunday’s event include Coastal Caffeine, Molly’s Microbakery, The Plant Bus, Simply Me Crafts, as well as a vintage clothing pop-up and a spot to make trucker hats.
Part of the reason she chose Park Circle for her first event was because of its inclusivity.
“I want to make sure that everyone always feels safe and welcome,” Wentland said, noting she also hosts a Queer Book Club with North Charleston’s We Are Family.
The Ladson business owner enjoys the freedom to move her shop around the region, popping up outside of other businesses, such as House of Brews West Ashley and Sweatman’s Garden. Following her success at a recent market, a Condon Law staffer reached out to Wentland and said she was more than welcome to park her bus there any time.
She cashed in the offer for this weekend.
“I’m hoping the event gets a lot of traction,” she said. “And that the rain holds out.”