Friends to Lovers

Hopeless romantics find community at Old Town’s Friends to Lovers, the D.C. area’s first bookstore completely dedicated to romance novels. At most book shops, the selection of romance novels is confined to a shelf or two. But Friends to Lovers Bookstore owner Jamie Fortin had a vision of a dedicated space for fans of the genre to find both the latest and greatest, with everything from historical romance to beach reads to “romantasy” (AKA fantasy and romance mashups) in stock.

“Friends to Lovers wouldn’t be possible without our community, and therefore, everything we do is with community building in mind. Most of our merchandise vendors are independent artists, and we love to host local and indie-published authors at the shop. We also offer a 401(k) match to all of our employees and pay well above minimum wage. When you shop at Friends to Lovers, your dollars go directly back into your community,” says Jamie Fortin.

Before the bookstore, owner Jamie Fortin was a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. for a trade association. Although this seems like a hard pivot from her current life as a bookstore owner, her background in economics, labor rights, and classic literature came together to shape the brand’s idea. “It has been so fun using my academic and professional background in ways I never expected now that I’m a business owner!” says Jamie. Representation is a huge priority for Jamie, which is why Friends to Lovers is an empowering spot in Old Town that offers a diverse selection of books with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters. Friends to Lovers is the first romance bookstore in the D.C. metro area. “We are a space created by and for women and queer people to gather to talk about the stories that move them,” according to the Friends to Lovers team.

Step into Friend to Lovers, and you will find an endless array of romance novels and worlds that surround every corner, perched on shelves, and artfully arranged on aisle tables. Their vibrant, artistic covers splash the room with color, crafting a cozy haven for readers seeking a peaceful retreat. As you explore charming bookish merchandise, the space feels just like a perfect, welcoming living room. They’ve even served as the location for engagements! Jamie shares, “Romance books have always centered on women’s joy, and how we experience life and love. For many customers, shopping with us is the one time during the week they get to do something just for them. When you walk in, I want you to feel like you’re wrapped in a warm hug by the people and stories around you.”

Old Town Alexandria proved to be the pitch-perfect setting for opening Friends to Lovers, since Fortin loved both the historic city’s charming streets and its tight-knit community of small businesses, particularly women-owned ones. However, in a dramatic plot twist, a fire significantly damaged the bookstore’s merchandise just three days after the shop’s grand opening. Romance fans rallied to raise cash to help Fortin rebuild via a GoFundMe campaign. The bookstore’s supporters helped rebuild it and demonstrated the strength of Alexandria’s community and its potential to come together even in the most devastating moments. In the happiest of endings, Friends to Lovers’ new permanent location–located on a row of other women-owned businesses on Cameron Street–is even larger than its original space, with plenty of room for cozy reading nooks and events like book signings and open mic nights where romance readers can connect.

“I could not have asked for a better place in the world to build my business. One core reason I decided to put down roots here is that I felt so safe and seen, both as a queer person and as a woman. Old Town Alexandria is dominated by women-owned small businesses, and locals are eager to support us. It has been so fun to contribute to a city that has given me so much,” says Jamie.