Smitten Booktique
Smitten Booktique is an innovative mobile bookstore launched in Kansas City in early 2024 by local entrepreneurs Kara and Damien Bowersock. After a successful testing phase that began in September 2023, the bookstore operates from a converted 160-square-foot cargo trailer designed with inviting light blue and pink accents. Specializing in romance novels, the store offers a curated selection of 500 to 600 titles, including works by popular authors and local writers. Originally operating within the Painted Tree boutique, the Bowersocks transitioned to a mobile format to reach a broader audience and create an inclusive community space for romance literature enthusiasts. Smitten Booktique actively engages with its community through local events and its Instagram updates.
News Summary
Smitten Booktique, a new mobile bookstore specializing in romance novels, has launched in Kansas City. Founded by local entrepreneurs Kara and Damien Bowersock, it offers a diverse selection of over 500 titles, including popular and local authors. The mobile trailer, designed as a community hub, has already made appearances at local events and aims to make romance literature accessible to everyone. The welcoming atmosphere and curated selection cater to various tastes, encouraging a love for reading among residents.
Kansas City has launched an innovative mobile bookstore named Smitten Booktique that specializes in romance novels, a genre experiencing unprecedented popularity, particularly influenced by trends on platforms like BookTok. This unique bookstore, introduced in early 2024 by local entrepreneurs Kara and Damien Bowersock, serves as both a retail space and a community hub for romance literature enthusiasts.
The Smitten Booktique began operations earlier this month after a successful testing phase that started in September 2023. Its mobile trailer has already made waves at various local events, including a “romantasy” gathering at ReRoll Tavern and the Spring Fling at Junque Drawer, where it garnered positive feedback from attendees. Customers frequently comment on the appealing concept and the novelty of a dedicated romance book-mobile.
The bookstore features an impressive selection, carrying around 500 to 600 titles that include works from popular romance authors like Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry, and Rebecca Yarros, in addition to a curated selection of local authors. Smitten Booktique’s inventory caters to a wide range of tastes, featuring both sweet and spicy romance novels, along with a small assortment of banned books and titles focused on health and wellness.
The Bowersocks have positioned their mobile bookstore as an inclusive space that celebrates diversity in literature, emphasizing that their selection ensures there is something to appeal to every reader. Customers can track the trailer’s location and schedule through its active Instagram page, where updates on upcoming stops and events are provided.
To create a welcoming atmosphere, the interior of the converted 160-square-foot cargo trailer is designed with light blue walls and pink accents that mimic a traditional storefront. Additionally, decorative touches such as wreaths and a welcome mat enhance the inviting charm of the space. The trailer not only showcases books but also serves as a cozy environment for readers to browse at their leisure.
Before transitioning to the mobile concept, the Bowersocks operated a bookstore within the Painted Tree boutique. Their decision to create a mobile format stems from a desire to reach a broader audience while avoiding competition with existing local booksellers. This approach allows them to bring romance literature directly to the community, fostering connections among fans of the genre.
Smitten Booktique represents a growing movement to celebrate literature in a dynamic and accessible way. As romance novels continue to gain traction among readers of all ages, the Bowersocks strive to inspire a love for reading throughout Kansas City, creating a community space for those who share a passion for storytelling and romance.
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Additional Resources
- The Pitch: Smut Smitten
- Kansas City Star: Local News
- Kansas City Star: Entertainment News
- In Kansas City: In Conversation with Elle Jackson
- People: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce
- Wikipedia: Romance Novel
- Google Search: Kansas City Bookstores
- Google Scholar: Mobile Bookstores
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bookstore
- Google News: Romance Novels Kansas City
