B (3:44)

If you want to see me live, I'll be in the back of the room of all those shows that she just mentioned.

A (3:49)

Well, you'll definitely be in Spokane and Tacoma, that's for sure.

B (3:52)

100 I can't wait. I always love going to Spokane, Tacoma, that we always have the best time there. And now we're going New Year's Eve, so it's going to be even better. So I can't wait to get there.

A (4:01)

I know. I think we're gonna spend New Year's Day in Spokane. Spokane and then flight into Tacoma in the morning of the second because we just, we have a good time in both. And then this way we get to spend a couple nights in all of them. So do that. Follow us on Instagram at the Book Lisp. And I guess that's it. Let's just get into it.

B (4:21)

Let's get right into it.

A (4:22)

Very help. Happy Book Lisp. Welcome to the owner of Love Struck Seattle. And so, without further ado, as we've been building this up, we are so happy to talk to you, McKenna, owner of Love Struck Seattle. Welcome to the Book Lisp.

D (4:39)

Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here.

B (4:43)

Of course. So how I found out about this McKenna is I lived in Seattle for 10 years. I played for the Seahawks for 10 years. So I love everything Seattle. I also love romance books. We have a podcast because I love romance books. My wife here loves thrillers and murder mysteries and all that stuff. And so obviously you popped up in my Instagram algorithm and I was like, what is this? There's a romance bookstore opening in Seattle. And I think it was the one of your first days, maybe your first day opening. And I don't know, whoever does your social media, it might have been you or your husband Walked around with the camera and it was lined up. Not, like, down the street, not even. It was around, like, multiple blocks. Like, you. You were walking for, like, five minutes with the camera showing all these people lined up. Like, what. What was that like? Like, your. Your dreams coming true and you'd be able to, like, everyone was supporting it.

A (5:41)

What.

B (5:41)

What was that like?

D (5:44)

Um, honestly, very shocking. Um, it definitely was like, the week before. So, yeah, I do all my. My own social media, and then occasionally, yeah, my husband will kind of go around and shoot stuff. Um, but, yeah, we. The week before, I would say, like, maybe 100 people were saying they're coming. I kind of, like, saw the hype happening on Instagram, but I was like, well, I'm going to take it as, like, people say they're going to show up, you know. And so I did a couple Instagram polls throughout the week, and it was staying, like, you know, like, under 200. And then the night before, I posted one, and it was like 500 people said they were coming, which we were definitely not prepared for, just because, you know, it was. I didn't think it was gonna pop up in the, like, week before at all. And so the first, like, we didn't open until 11 that day, and the first person in line was at 8:30, and we had just gotten there, so we were like, oh, like, people are. Yeah, we were like, people are lining up. That's exciting. And then all of a sudden, I honestly got very nervous. I didn't want to go outside, so I was like, oh, no. Like, this is. This is so crazy. And then, yeah, we ended up right before walking and, like, doing the line. And it was. Yeah, it was literally, Lake City Way is pretty long. And so it's kind of a couple street blocks in one. So you keep going and going. And then it went around the corner. And then I heard, because we are so busy, we couldn't go look, but it was apparently all the way past, like, the library. So it was a very, very long line all day.

A (7:21)

And.

D (7:22)

And it was amazing. Like, the turnout was. I could not have expected that at all. And everyone was just so kind, and it was so much fun.

B (7:30)

So amazing. I think you had a post later on in the day, and it was like, right around closing time, where it was, like, it looked like you had, like, 10 books left on the shelf. Like, I mean, that's probably, like, a bit of a problem, but also a good problem to have day one pretty much selling out.

D (7:45)

Yeah, we had. I would. Yeah, I'd say, like, Each shelf, because we have it all broken by sub genre of romance. It maybe had 10. And so we.

E (7:56)

We were shocked.

D (7:57)

And somehow people kept finding things to buy. At a certain point, I was like, there's. There's nothing left. And so, yeah, it was a little. A little stressful towards the end, you know, just because we were like, okay, we're gonna be. We didn't. We weren't open on Monday. We were on open on Tuesday. And so it was pretty empty for Tuesday. But people still showed up, still shopped, and somehow found things that they loved. And then, yeah, it was kind of a. A fast turnaround for restocking the store for sure.

E (8:25)

Yeah.

B (8:26)

I think it's. It's so crazy. It's like such an amazing success story about how quickly this has become such a huge thing. Because, I mean, we live in a world right now where libraries are closing down, bookstores are closing down. And you came up with this absolutely incredible idea. And it's just absolutely. People are loving it. And there's nowhere better to do something like this than Seattle because it's such a romantic city. And, you know, it's always kind of rainy, the space. That's why so many books, so many romance books. That's what I read. Are set in Seattle because it's so amazing and so romantic. But like. So how did you come up with this idea to open a bookstore with just romance books?

D (9:01)

Well, it's actually kind of something that started to pop up all over the US it's very small still, but the first one was actually 10 years ago, was the first one that ever opened. It's called the Ripped Bodice. And so I really was inspired by. Just by the fact that it was two sisters. They opened up this shop and they also did a Kickstarter, which is something we're doing. And, you know, I started like, well, like, that'd be so cool. And there is one in Portland. But as far as at the moment, there hadn't been a lot of action happening in the Pacific Northwest. And so, I don't know, I kind of did the, like, waiting, like, maybe someone has this idea. And then I finally was like, well, I want to do it, so I'm just going to do it and we'll see how it goes. And so, yeah, and I really kind of combined it too, with my. I have a small business that I've had for five years where I design and make like, stickers, apparel, and a lot of bookish stuff.

A (9:58)

Is that the Palm Creative?

D (10:00)

Yes, yes. That's my Brand. Yeah.

E (10:03)

Yeah.

D (10:04)

And so I kind of had the idea of putting, you know, I was like, well, it can't really be a standalone. And because, like, I've been doing so many book events, I did a lot of, like, book cons and fairs in the last two years. It really was something that was inspiring. And it felt like my best connections were with the customers that were like, we would just chat about books. And I really love romance books. And so I just was like, well, I feel like maybe Seattle will want this. And so that's also why I'm doing it through Seattle Restored, which is a program that tries to help small businesses get into brick and mortars. And so, yeah, so I pitched it to them in January, kind of, and then I didn't hear anything. I really wanted it to happen. I started doing stuff on my own. And then they hit me up really last minute and said, you have like a month to make this space happen. And we only had two weeks. Yeah, we only had two weeks, though, with the keys. Like, the program wants you to open within two weeks of you getting the keys to the space. So that's kind of like how fast we had to make it happen. And so. Yeah, and so it was really fun. Cause it was a very. I wasn't sure, like, honestly, I was like, maybe Seattle won't be, you know, like, into this. We have so many great bookstores. And so it was exciting to get to test it out as a pop up first. And then obviously after, like, I thought maybe a month in, we'd make the decision for permanent. And it was day one that we were like, I guess this is our life now.

A (11:30)

I guess we're doing it for real.

E (11:31)

And.

D (11:32)

Yeah. And it was just. It was surreal. And it was very much like every single person that came in was like, we needed this. And I was like, oh, thank gosh. Like, I was so worried. I was like, we'll see how it goes. And it's turned into something that I didn't even expect it to be so successful. And it's really inspiring and really fun.

A (11:50)

Yeah. Because your brick and mortar opens on the 19th. Is that right? October 19th.

E (11:57)

October 25th.

A (11:59)

Yeah, 25th. Oh, okay. Yeah. So we have a lot of Seattle listeners, so they're going to be there.

D (12:05)

Yeah, yeah, we're closing our pop up on the 19th. So that's the last day of Lake city. And then October 25th and 26th, we're doing a whole bunch of fun grand opening event stuff.

B (12:16)

So it's such a good point. When people Say, like, we need this right now. The world is in shambles. It's an absolute shit show out there. And nothing bad ever happens in romance books. Like, if you just like, put your head in a romance book for five hours, the world is a better place inside of your head when you're done with it. So this is like, this is. Yeah, I love this so much.

A (12:38)

So can you tell us your favorite romance author or. I mean, I'm sure you have many, especially having a store full of them, so. But do you have any that you lean to? Any of your favorites, favorite books, anything like that?

E (12:52)

Yeah. So I love Emily Henry. It's a really solid choice. And it's kind of the first one. A lot of people are like, if I jump into this, you know, if I jump into romance, I kind of like, well, here's a good starting point. But I'm honestly, I've always been a big fantasy romance. Romance reader. And so, you know, I love Throne of Glass. Like, that whole series is really special to me. I love Fourth wing. I love a dragon. So sometimes I like a little more. A little more action in the story, but other times, you know, it's nice to cozy up with something. Yeah. Low risk. Very. Nothing's happening except, like, love.

A (13:32)

Well, you saw John. You saw John get really excited when you said Emily Henry because we.

B (13:36)

Oh, Emily Henry. Happy place. Book lovers. Beach read. She has so many good books. Yeah, she's one of my favorites too.

E (13:48)

Yeah. Happy Places. Yeah. Happy Place was amazing. And I was just not expecting to be like, oh, my gosh, it's hitting me in the feels so much.

B (14:02)

My favorite author is Ellen Hildebrand, which I don't know if you would consider her romance. I consider her like a beach read. I don't know if you would. If she would be in your bookstore or not, because I consider her a beach read. Not everyone's like, totally romantic, but I've read all 28 of her novels now. She has her 29th novel coming out with her daughter in October, but she is my absolute favorite. Have you read any of Ellen Hildebrand's books?

E (14:28)

I don't think I have, actually.

B (14:31)

Oh, girl, you need to be on here right now. Go, leave. Go, leave.

E (14:38)

Guess I have to now.

B (14:40)

Yeah. No, but Emily Henry is amazing. That's Carly Fortune.

E (14:48)

Carly Fortune's are also great. Big one in our store. Yeah, definitely all summer. Like, she was like one of our top ones. And then First Time Caller was our bestseller this year or like summer so far. Just because it's like The Seplace in Seattle vibe.

B (15:05)

Yeah, yeah.

E (15:06)

Which has been really cute. Yeah, it sells out like every time I put it back.

B (15:11)

Really? Yeah. It's a good book.

E (15:13)

Yeah.

A (15:13)

That's a cool thing to be able to integrate into the city and the bookstore and right. All at once the brick and mortar happening. Must be really exciting for you. I mean, that's such a big deal to go from.

E (15:28)

Yeah.

A (15:28)

Just having this sort of pop up and then and it being so successful beyond your wildest dreams, like you said. And then all of a sudden you have the brick and mortar is that I'm following. We follow you on Instagram and we'll encourage everyone to follow you guys on Instagram. Watching you set it up, watching you get ready. Is there. What's that like? Just the sort of the joy, but also the oh my God, now I've got to decorate. I've got to get the books, I've got to get the people, I've got to get. What's that feeling?

E (16:01)

Definitely stressful. It's much different. I think it's, it's very exciting. But it definitely is a lot of like, you know, there's so many little details and things and with how we were able to set up the pop up space, we, you know, it was kind of like we had about a month to kind of plan and then had two weeks to set up. So we kind of only could do so much in the space that we had. And so it's been exciting because the new space is so much bigger and we can do so much more, but it's also a little intimidating. It's just like there's so much we can do and it's our own space, you know, like the last one we had to ask a lot of like, can we do this? Is this allowed? And now I'm like, well, I, I mean, it's all mine, so I can do whatever I want.

A (16:45)

Nice. That's a good feeling.

E (16:46)

Yeah, so it is really nice. And you know, we have great landlords that are super excited and supporting us. So. No, it's been, it's been. Been amazing. It's definitely, you know, a big task and it's something that feels a little scary just with how much of you have to put into it. And that's what we kind of decided to do the Kickstarter with. Just because it's such a big jump in space because we're going from 342 square feet to 1400 square feet. So it's a. Yeah, big difference. Yeah, it's a Very big difference. It didn't feel. I was like, oh, whatever when you're in there. But now, you know, we've got walls painted, we had the floors clean, so it feels real. Like, I was in there last night even, and I was like, oh, my gosh. It's like looking like a space now instead of just like this room. We have to do a ton of stuff to it's.

B (17:38)

But yeah, it's really fun to. To kind of follow your progress on Instagram. I say the other day you guys were, like, cleaning everything out so you could clean the floors. And I love following, like, your progress because it's kind of like you're kind of like, living everyone's dream by opening a bookstore. Opening, like a small business. You know, it's kind of cool to kind of, like, live through that and watch that. And we have a lot of listeners in Seattle because we spent so much time there. Can you give everyone the address of the new store so everyone knows where it is?

E (18:06)

Yes. Here, let me just pull it up so I don't, like, mess it up.

B (18:10)

Absolutely.

E (18:13)

So, yeah, the new store is going to be at 8535th Ave. In North Seattle. So we're at the Wedgwood neighborhood and it's very cute. It's very quiet. We honestly weren't considering north Seattle until we opened the Lake City location and have had such an amazing turnout and just people being like, don't leave. Like, they're like, we need more things kind of North Seattle. So it is, like, about 10 minutes south of our current one, so we're closer to uw, but we definitely had a lot more understanding of our. Our customers. Basically, a lot of people just want to come in and relax and have to worry about parking in the city. And so even though, yeah, we're in Seattle, it's a little quieter. There's a cute cafe down the street. So it's a really good vibe. And I'm really excited to still be close to Lake City. Like, I hadn't been there until we got our store and the community and the stores there are just the businesses that have been there for, like, 20 years have been the kindest people and some of our biggest supporters. So that's nice.

A (19:11)

It's been really fun. Yeah, it's very Seattle. People, others. And do you. And so do you. And you do author events, too. You have authors come in and do signings and tell us a little about that.

E (19:27)

Yeah. So right now, obviously, we're limited on space. We did do a big event for bookstore Romance day. And so we had a ton of local authors come in and we worked in a space that was right down the street with the Seattle's restored program as well. So we had everyone kind of come in and do, you know, a fun day for that. And then honestly, authors just have been coming in to sign their books and meet us. But in the new space, we'll be able to actually hold events. We're trying to secure a lot of the events through the year. It's a little difficult. A lot of people are kind of backing out of events for the year just because everything going on. So we're kind of just seeing how it goes too. But we're hoping to have some author signings too for our grand opening. We're just trying to confirm everybody for it.

A (20:10)

Yeah, no, it's cool. I mean, look, it's just, it's such an awesome idea and it feels like a safe place for readers to go and be like, these are, this is what I love to read. This is what I get to check out. This is what I get to buy. This is. And of course bonuses if there's authors that they can meet and all that stuff. But you're, you're, you're, I mean, you're doing it all. So I think it's, you know, and then, and then of course your gift shop in there too, which is really cool that you can combine those things. Walk out of there with a cute tote bag for your books as well. Right?

E (20:45)

Yeah, that's, that's been a really rewarding thing is just, I mean, I do, I was doing a lot of vendor markets and stuff with my brand, but getting to see it with the bookstore and people being so excited about stuff I made, that's been also just like a exciting thing that I could feel like, yeah, I made these things and they're like, what? So that's been really fun. You know, we're obviously going to have some more. I would really love to have some more local business, you know, maybe like rotate some businesses out with like some products just to kind of give other businesses a chance in small businesses. Because there's so many amazing like artists and people I meet at vendor markets that would be fun to do pop ups with. And we've been doing little pop ups with some like local artists at the shop right now, which has been fun.

A (21:29)

Oh, that's awesome.

E (21:31)

Yeah.

B (21:34)

How do you decide what books you're gonna have in the store? Like, what's the criteria? Cause like, I love romance, but as I Said Ellen Hildebrand is kind of like. It's kind of more like a beach read. It's not every story ends up with the guy getting the girl, the girl getting the guy, which I love those stories, very hallmarky stories. But what's the criteria to get into your store?

E (21:58)

I'd say for the most part, it has to be like a happily ever after. That's kind of the vibe of Roman. If it's like the journey there might be a little more, you know, harder than other romance stories. But honestly, a lot of the ways I, like, went about stocking the store was just kind of one, seeing what people wanted, and that was like a huge video we did is just kind of asking, what would you like to see in a bookstore? And then from there, being able to kind of learn, you know, who's popular, as well as adding a lot of indie authors. We have a huge community of Pacific Northwest writers that I didn't even realize, like, so many that I was like, oh, my gosh, they live in Seattle or they live in Washington. And so that's a big part of it, too, is we have a lot of local ones that we're stocking in the store. And so we kind of just kind of look at the vibe of the book as well. You know, if it's something I think people will like. And now knowing our customers a bit more, it's a lot easier. It was definitely difficult stocking the store for the first day because I was like, I know what's popular, but I didn't want it to just be only the, you know. Yeah, the. The trad published. And so it was a lot of research, a lot of going on social media and kind of just seeing what people were talking about. And so, like, we have an indie one that came out that just kind of popped up on TikTok, and I just naturally saw it, and then I, you know, doxed her book, and now it's, like, a popular read in our store. So I was just like, well, that worked out. So I don't. Just research. Yeah, yeah. It's a lot of just kind of guessing sometimes I'm wrong where I'm like, oh, this book is, you know, a popular author. I assume there's going to be a lot of interest in it, and it might not. And so it's definitely been a learning curve for, like, what to bring in. But we do have quite a variety, too, of sub genres. So we have contemporary fantasy, kind of sci fi. We have a large LGBTQ section. We have dark fantasy you know, historical. And then we're trying to grow our, like, YA section too, so we kind of have stuff for everybody. And I wanted to make it feel comfortable for everyone to come in and find, you know, a little bit of love wherever. Wherever they find it.

A (24:07)

I like that. I love that. Find a little bit of love wherever you find it. What's. We got it all for you. You do a ton of. Do you get to do much just reading that's not work related? Do you get to do much reading for yourself? Or is it. Does it feel like everything even though you're enjoying it, but does it feel like everything you're reading is sort of an audition for your bookstore at this point?

E (24:32)

A little bit of both. I will say it's been a lot harder to read right now just because we're trying to do so much in such a short amount of time. So I've had to switch to audiobooks for a lot of stuff just to keep up. But I've definitely. I've gotten to read a lot more books that I wouldn't have normally just because I lean sometimes more fantasy. And I was like, no, I need to jump into contemporary more. And now I've found so many great books that I wouldn't have read if I hadn't been kind of like, I need to kind of research what's going on and, like, what people are liking. And so, yeah, it's been a little bit of a balance. And I'm hoping after we kind of get open and maybe through the holidays, it'll be a little less, like, pressure to keep up so much. Obviously continuing to keep up, but getting to kind of also read for fun would be. Would be good. It's like a mix, though. Like, I definitely pick stuff that I'm interested in. If I don't like it, I kind of just. I'm like, no, I'm going to move on. Yeah, there's too much to read do that could.

A (25:29)

Yeah. Can you move on? Because we talk about this a lot on this podcast, that I'm one that I have a hard time moving on. Even if I think. Even if the book isn't grabbing me, it's like I almost feel weird. Yeah. I want to know what happened anyway, even if I'm annoyed, I'm like, jesus Christ, I got to read this whole.

B (25:48)

Thing to figure out.

A (25:49)

I got to get to the end, I guess. And like, what is that? Why do we feel that way? Why do we think we have to finish a book even if it's not.

E (25:57)

Grabbing us I'm the exact same way. I've always been that way. I'm like, even if I'm like, I don't know, and I really push through, I think it's only easy with, like, audiobooks for me to be like, if I don't like the narrator, I just kind of like, I can't do it. I'm like, I might. Yeah, you can blame them and try. Yeah, I blame them. So. But, yeah, I'm the same way. Like, if I'm. Even if I'm, like, halfway through, and I'm like, is this really. Am I enjoying this? And I'm like, but I have to finish it now.

B (26:26)

Yeah.

A (26:27)

Yeah.

E (26:28)

I don't know. I have a lot of friends, though. They're like, no. Like, a lot of people come in. They're like, I don't either's. Too many books. You got to drop the book. And I was like, I want that mentality. I'm just not there. I can't.

B (26:37)

Because I'm always like, there's going to be a huge twist at the end or a huge thing at the end that happens. It's going to make me fall in love with this. And then I'm also, like, a little bit, like, sensitive. So I'm like, this person put, like, a whole year of work into this book. I need to respect that and, like, read it for. I need to do it for them, you know, like. So I. It a weird thing. So you have this smaller store now, which everyone's loving, and now you're gonna have a lot bigger store now. What. What can we expect new or what with the expanding space? What are you gonna do with that?

E (27:08)

So we'll be able to do a lot more events, which is basically the number one thing everyone's been asking for. We'll be able to have book clubs and, you know, private events, as well as hopefully being able to host authors and do kind of. We're doing a, like, Halloween market. We'll have authors and vendors just to kind of have like, our first weekend there. That's not the grand opening. And then as far as, like, the store, we're expanding all of our bookshelves because right now we literally are only four big bookshelves and then, like, a couple little ones in our space. So it's not a ton of books. Somehow we do it, but we'll be expanding each area of the store. And then something a lot of people ask for was having, like, a little lounge area that you can kind of come in and hang out. We get A lot of book clubs that come in just to like shop together or hang out or, you know, groups that are just visiting. And so it'd be nice to kind of be a third space people can just enjoy and, you know, it's a safe, fun, cozy space. So we're doing a lot of that and then expanding the gift shop area as well. So we'll see if we can do it all for the opening. It's a lot to get done as far as the expansion of everything, but I feel pretty confident about it and very excited and it's definitely going to be a lot more than it has been. But yeah, that's awesome.

B (28:28)

That's part of the reason why I'm so obsessed with your story, even though I haven't even been there yet, is I think that right now what we all need is like a sense of community. And yes, you go to a store and you buy something, whatever, you go to store and buy something. And what you're building right now is building a community. And I think it's so cool as what you said, we'd have, you know, book clubs in there and have a space for people to talk about things. I think that's so important right now because no one else is doing that and I think that that's going to be so cool. And I think that's why people are already falling in love with your brand. Falling in love with Lovestruck. I think it's going to be a huge, massive thing for years to come because of what you're doing.

E (29:02)

Yeah, that's definitely been the number one thing, you know, I've been wanting was a space everyone's comfortable and, you know, it is community based and that's what everyone's been asking for. And I think it's just, it's showing of the time and, you know, showing that people just really want to make those friendships. It's very. It's also a space I'm. I'm not used to. Everyone just kind of comes in and even if they're alone somehow everyone kind of chats and like makes friends. We had people, we had someone come in the other day that said they were there for the grand opening and met a group of people and they're now in a book club together. And I was like, that is so sweet. Like just from waiting in line for hours. Now they have friends.

A (29:39)

So it's just. You're like, I did. You're like, I did that.

E (29:42)

Yeah, yeah, I did that. I'm sorry. Waited in line. But yay.

A (29:49)

That's. No, it's really cool. I. A couple quick questions just as a reader and then we'll. We'll let you go. And we definitely would love to do something in store with you. We have so many listeners in Seattle, so we're definitely going to come visit you no matter what. And, and maybe we can figure something out. But one debate on our. Our podcast is often about audio Kindle or physical book. What's your favorite?

E (30:18)

Mm, I would say physical book is like my preferred. I jump into audiobooks now. I'm just kind of picky but. And then Kindle is like when I'm on the go and I'm like, well, I gotta, I gotta bring a book with me. So. But it's definitely. Yeah, Physical books the go to for me.

A (30:40)

It's just not. Yeah, it's nice to have a book in hand. I. Sir, I have. I. We. As we talk about on the podcast, I've really leaned into the Kindle because it's. You can. We travel a lot and you can take so many with you. And when you're reading a lot like you're saying to. For what are you going to stock your shelves with? And all this. But I had never really been into audiobooks until this podcast and John has always been an audiobook guy and he, he kind of introduced me to them to where he's like, no, I think because I always thought I would tune out or something during an audiobook. Like I, yeah, just like my brain doesn't process it or I drift off and I start thinking about something else. But I've been into them lately. Definitely. Narrators help, of course. But I, Yeah, I think there's nothing like sitting down with a physical book. So I think that's such a cool thing that you're going to have is a space where people can come in and, and they can even sit down and read and, and talk to other people who like holding these books. So we're excited for you.

D (31:42)

Yeah.

E (31:42)

Thank you.

A (31:44)

Yeah, thank you for being here. Tell everyone. Yeah. Follow you on. Love struck, right? Love struck Seattle on Instagram.

E (31:53)

Yeah, Love struck in Seattle on Instagram and Tick Tock and yeah, those are the two.

A (32:01)

Yeah. You guys know where to find her. We'll definitely get in touch to do something with you. Thank you so much. So much for taking the time to talk to us.

C (32:11)

The book Lisp. The book Lisp. The book list. The book lisp. The book Lisp.