I cashed in my retirement fund to open the first romance bookstore in my neighborhood. It was a risk, but it paid off.

Kate McNeil The Sintoses Kate McNeil opened All the Tropes, a romance bookstore, six weeks after quitting her job. Despite concerns about market saturation, All the Tropes thrives as a niche community destination. Passion, perseverance, and local support helped Kate McNeil launch in a niche market. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kate McNeil, a 41-year-old small-business owner based in Atlanta. It's been edited for length and clarity. The idea to open a romance bookstore started during COVID. I joined an online group of fellow romantasy readers, looking to connect with other people who also enjoyed my favorite form of escapism. That group had over 2,000 members, and it was difficult to feel a sense of community. Eventually, it broke off into local chapters. After COVID, I didn't know of any dedicated space for these same readers to meet in Atlanta.