Julie Norris the owner of Spiral Circle Book Store is the host of Front Porch Radio. I stopped in to sketch on the day she was interviewing local book store owners. WPRK is located on the Rollins College campus. You can hear the entire broadcast of the Front Porch Radio Substack.
I contacted Julie shortly after a protest happened at her store from a right wing christian group. Spiral Circle offers books from a wide range of spiritual beliefs. A video in which one of her staff spoke to the protest leader went viral sparking renewed interest in the book store and sales soared. The protest which has the intent of shutting down book sales achieved the opposite as people rallied around the book store. Spiral Circle is soon celebrating their 50th anniversary Jubilee and it is the oldest independent bookstore in Orlando.
Across from Julie were the owners of New Romantics Bookstore, Jane Rodriguez, and Authentic Books.
New Romantics is a bookstore entirely devoted to romance novels. The owner had always wanted to have a bookstore and she simply decided to go for it. With the help of her family who literally helped renovate the space, she opened for business at 3018 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL. Over 80% of her clients are woman and the store hosts many community events. One event that I would love to sketch is Stitch and Bitch but unfortunately I would not get there in time with the commute.
The New Romantics is a Romance-Only Bookstore featuring books from a diverse range of authors covering a wide range of romance genres. You’ll find every single type of romance genre. They create a safe, diverse space for all romance readers and uplift the romantic stories we read. The bookstore values community, inclusion, connection, empathy, love, passion, respect, and gratitude.
Authentic books at 1815 North Orange Avenue, Orlando Florida, has a very unique business model. The store packages books with scents flavors and objects that tie in with the book being read. Patrons who shop at the store are given a tote bag or box and they can pick up 3 items that tie in with the book they choose. The store expanded fast when it went online shipping boxes across the country. The idea grew so fast that it became a challenge to keep up with demand. Subscribers receive the best new fiction, paired with carefully selected items from the story that engage each of your 5 senses.
Sight of course is the new book you get to read. Smell is a candle picked to offer a scent that is reminiscent of the aromas found in the story. Taste offers drinks and treats that again tie in with the story. Touch offers self care goodies, and sound is a Spotify play list that matches the mood of the book. Each box becomes a full sensory experience.
After the show I went for tea with Julie and the owner of Authentic Books and I have such deep respect for these entrepreneurs who take calculated risks to grow their businesses. Things were booming as people broke free of social isolation, but the market quickly changes.