In the heart of Old Town Alexandria, a quiet revolution has been unfolding since the fall of last year.
This event does not revolve around the historical cobblestone streets or the tavern where George Washington once celebrated his birthday.
Instead, it is a vibrant narrative of sapphic love stories, Black historical magic fiction, and a fresh declaration centered on providing a space for romance novels.
Friends to Lovers bookstore, located at 301 Cameron St., has emerged as the first establishment of its kind in the DMV area, having opened its doors less than a year ago.
The overwhelming response, marked by a surge of visitors and over 30,000 social media followers, indicates that Old Town is now home to more than just its historical charm.
Jamie Fortin, the store’s owner and founder, shared her vision for the bookstore with the Washington Blade ahead of National Book Lovers Day on August 9.
Fortin described her desire to create a space for diverse storytelling that aligns with her personal passions and interests.
“I realized if I wanted to open a business in this area—there are so many beautiful and unique businesses around here—that I wanted something that I was really invested in personally, and also something that I didn’t really see anywhere else,” said Fortin.
Once the idea of a romance bookstore crystalized, Fortin became aware of skepticism from some quarters regarding the necessity of such a niche space.
“We could have 100 sports bars in D.C. and no one bats an eye—but not everyone likes sports… Yet the second you create a space for women or queer people, suddenly it’s ‘too niche.’ Why is that?” she pondered.
Her determination only strengthened, and she along with her team sought the ideal location, finding it on the second story of a building tucked among other distinct local businesses in Old Town.
With the assistance of a branding company, they crafted the store’s cohesive theme and ambiance, meticulously researching popular romance titles to populate their shelves.
Fortin elaborated on her inspiration by pointing out that many emerging romance bookstores in the U.S. focus on elevating marginalized communities.
As a woman and a queer person, Fortin aimed to create a sanctuary that celebrated women’s joy and queer narratives—something she felt was missing in the literary landscape.
After months of meticulous planning, social media strategizing, and collaboration with LGBTQ and women artists, Friends to Lovers finally opened its doors in November 2024.
However, just three days later, disaster struck as a fire ravaged the store, causing significant damage to its collection.
Fortin turned to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok—not just for regular updates but now to share images of the fire’s aftermath and solicit help from the community.
Her heartfelt appeal unfolded as her posts caught traction on TikTok’s #BookTok, a renowned subcommunity with over 100 billion videos dedicated to literature.
“We posted on TikTok, and got 300,000 views,” she recounts, highlighting the community’s robust response.
In just one week, Fortin managed to raise $46,000, a significant portion coming from local residents and many who simply resonated with the bookstore’s mission.
“It really gave me a lot of hope that people are just nice and kind as part of it,” Fortin expressed, reflecting on the support.
She clarified that contributors were not merely donating money to her but to the vision of building a community space that uplifts marginalized voices.
With renewed vigor, she sought a new location just a block away from the bustling King Street, carefully collaborating with local women-owned businesses to renovate the new space.
With pink walls, pride flags, and artwork by LGBTQ and women artists, Friends to Lovers reopened its doors, rejuvenated and ready to serve the community.
As August rolled around, Fortin and her team prepared for a weekend-long celebration to honor National Book Lovers Day and the Romance Bookstore Weekend, coinciding with Alexandria’s annual Sidewalk Sale.
“We have Jenna Voris coming in on the ninth,” Fortin shared enthusiastically, outlining the planned festivities.
The celebration will also feature multiple author signings and appearances, alongside vendors selling artisan goods, creating a festive community atmosphere.
Fortin believes that the journey has solidified the bookstore’s mission, empowering her and her team to honor the supportive community that has rallied around them.
“We have always stayed true to our mission, but I think it makes us feel a lot more empowered to act out that mission, because we know that there are so many people that want it,” she stated.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of social media in fostering a relationship with their audience, Fortin noted, “I feel really grateful that through TikTok and Instagram, we have found our audience.”
In conversations about romance literature, Fortin stressed that many individuals might overlook the diverse voices available within the genre.
Despite the overwhelming presence of predominantly straight and white narratives in books and media, she urged readers to seek out stories that reflect a broader spectrum of experiences.
“Even now, the default you’re going to be fed—books, media, everything—is straight and white,” she said.
Fortin articulated the commitment of Friends to Lovers to advocate for diverse voices within romance narratives.
A staff member’s recent encounter with a group of Midwestern kids poignantly illustrated the importance of such supportive spaces:
“They came in and they were like, ‘I’ve never seen a space like this!’ They could see it was Pride month—we have all the flags up—and they’re like, ‘We’ve never had a space where we can feel welcome and seen.’”
Their realization that they could openly discuss their reading preferences without fear of judgment highlighted the bookstore’s significance as a safe haven.
Fortin concluded, stating, “I think it’s really powerful finding people who are going to be safe for you and that are going to love and support you no matter what.”
Meanwhile, in Winchester, Virginia, the LGBTQ community also marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of a new center on June 30.
The R.I.S.E. (Resources, Inclusion, Support and Empowerment) Center, developed by the local HIV/AIDS service organization AIDS Response Effort, Inc. (ARE), offers vital resources to the area’s LGBTQ community.
This physical center transforms a former bank into a vibrant community space, symbolizing both resilience and progress.
Executive director Katy Vance reflected on the organization’s evolution, stating, “I started [at ARE] about five years ago and we were an AIDS service organization, we have been for about 35 years now.”
As the community’s needs shifted, ARE faced an identity crisis of sorts.
Vance emphasized the importance of transforming and expanding services to better serve the local LGBTQ community, especially in light of changing healthcare dynamics surrounding HIV.
“We worked with our local Goodwill and the board got together and we decided to transition our housing program out and we realized we wanted to open an LGBTQ center,” she explained.
Addressing potential criticism about the apparent divergence from their original mission, co-director Matt Buracker emphasized the interconnectedness of HIV and LGBTQ issues.
“Obviously, HIV and LGBT identities have a long history and a lot of stigma, but we felt like it was kind of irresponsible to talk about one without talking about the other,” he stated, reinforcing their commitment to inclusivity.
Despite a challenging political climate—where President Donald Trump won over 63% of the vote in the 2024 election—Vance and the team at the R.I.S.E. Center remain hopeful.
The center was quickly funded through community donations and a founders’ campaign, reaching their initial goal of $50,000.
As community interest surged, volunteer efforts helped transform the center into a welcoming environment for all.
“The support from the community has been overwhelming,” Buracker shared, noting the positive response from local residents.
The R.I.S.E. Center is a member of CenterLink, connecting it to a broader network of LGBTQ centers.
While the building opened to the public recently, the R.I.S.E. Center has been hosting programming for almost two years, creating a foundation for community interaction.
Programs include affinity groups that foster connection and shared experience, not just support but also empowerment.
Bohacek outlined the aims of these programs, stating, “if someone needs community or needs a place to talk about queer issues, they have a space to do that.”
Some of the many groups include transgender and gender non-conforming spaces, family groups, polyamory support, and community-wide programming for allies.
For youth, an 18-25 age group has been established, recognizing their unique vulnerabilities.
Signs of community enthusiasm included a jam-packed official opening, where residents celebrated the expanded resources available to them.
Reflecting on the significance of the center, Ed McKee, a resident of Front Royal, remarked, “To be a gay man growing up in a small, rural area . . . we didn’t have anything like this.”
Such sentiments encapsulate the desire for unity and support in the face of growing challenges for the LGBTQ community.
Paul Miller, a local business owner, expressed hopes for the center to foster understanding and contribute to political awareness in the region.
As the ribbon-cutting ceremony commenced, co-director Bohacek articulated the mission: “we’re also celebrating the rise of this community.
“This community has taught me resilience and it has taught me friendship and it has taught me that I am not alone in this place.
There are people that care. And we are so proud to have a place where we can be ourselves, where anyone and everyone is welcome — and we mean it. So, with that said, let’s keep on rising!”
image source from：washingtonblade
