This week we caught up with romance bookstore owner, Rayanne Streeter. This doesn’t come as a shock since romance bookstores have become increasingly popular throughout the United States within the past few years. We have various book spheres on social media to thank for this since the genre is now outwardly discussed among readers and those interested. I can personally say that I am happy to see this occurring because who doesn’t love to grab a cozy blanket and a story with a happily ever after.
Rayanne Streeter is the perfect example of romance lovers with her own business, Good Girl Books. She describes how the romance genre was the only one she wanted to create her bookstore after. “It was always going to be romance. That’s the thing I read and am passionate about, so I wanted my business to reflect that,” says Streeter.
It started off as a book truck, named Little Miss Smuttie, but now Streeter is opening a storefront. This will be Knoxville’s first romance bookstore and is an exciting addition to the growing number of independent bookstores within the area, like Fable Hollow Coffee & Bookshoppe and Union Ave Books.
“I had the confidence that I can open a bookstore since the book truck had been so successful and I’d built such a community,” says Streeter, “Becoming friends with Lauren Morrill [local romance author], who’s now my business partner was the moment where I had all the ideas and time and energy to put into the bookstore.”
Streeter creates her own merchandise that you can find located on the book truck with stickers, bookmarks, and more. They also tend to feature a well-beloved animal among the Knoxville romance community, Poppy.
Little Miss Smuttie is located at various events across the city whether it be a craft fair or in front of Oglewood Avenue. She says, “I always want to prioritize small businesses, so I love doing pop-ups with ones that align with my values, and I have a strong connection with.” These pieces of Streeter’s business are leading the growing romance community and have continued to bring Knoxville readers together.
It is often easy to get caught up in chaotic and nerve-racking times which is what led to Rayanne Streeter creating Good Girl Books. She wanted to bring readers together and do so through a genre she finds comfort in. Streeter discusses how the most rewarding part of her business was the community she found. She says, “It’s so much fun for me to help people find a book and make connections and talk about our favorite books. The community is so wonderful, and readers can be so great and supportive of one another.”
It’s a relatable experience to sometimes needing an escape from reality and reading books is a perfect outlet for these feelings. The environment that is fostered through Streeter’s business has shown to be beneficial for romance readers within the area who visit her book truck. It is safe to say that romance readers showed up and showed out for Rayanne Streeter’s business.
Good Girl Books will continue to have a book truck. The brick-and-mortar, located at 7685 S Northshore Drive in the same space as Flourish Flower, opens this Saturday, June 28, from 10 AM-6 PM. You can follow their Instagram and TikTok to stay updated on future events.
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