Erin | The Little Bubblegum Bookshop
I have worked in health care. That’s what I went to school for—working as a dietitian. In the clinical setting, and then all through Covid and the pandemic, and was working in an ICU setting as well. So it was sort of like a mental health reason that I got back into reading. I went to work during the day and then to come home at night, it was sort of like a relaxation—(it) could turn my mind off. It also would help with my anxiety.
The actual Little Bubblegum Bookshop evolved out of my little free library. I still own it. I’ve had it for a couple years, and with social media, it started getting more popular. I curated it for books that I loved, which happened to be really just romance books. It kind of picked up, and I was like, “I would love to evolve this into a bookstore.” Eventually, I kind of transitioned my full-time job to be working part-time. So I’ve been able to transition into owning a business full-time.
I do veer towards more of a happily-ever-after book, so I think that’s what I wanted to do in the shop as well. You walk into this and you’re instantly punched in the face with pink and happiness. I wanted (it) to be more of an experience, rather than just going to a Barnes & Noble or any big business.
We have some romantasy, some dark romance. I always take recommendations. I always like to hear what people are reading as well, which has really been great. But we also have other categories, like sports, Western billionaires. I have a summer section now that I’m going to be building up a little bit more if people are looking for (a) beach read. I do change up some tropes. I have the flirty nerds, I have some music. Ideally, you could just kind of come into the shop and be like, “I don’t know what I’m looking for,” but, you know, here’s a new category, and maybe you find something new.
The Little Bubblegum Bookshop is located at 103 Wickenden Street. For more information, visit their website at the littlebubblegumbookshop.com.
Michelle Bi studies English and International & Public Affairs at Brown University. On campus, she writes for The Brown Daily Herald and is involved in social science research. She grew up in Ventura County, CA and enjoys playing guitar and crossword puzzles.
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