A new bookstore has opened in South Tampa that has romance readers rushing to the doors. Steamy Lit is an independent bookshop that caters exclusively to the romance genre.
The store isrun by 33-year-old Melissa Saavedra. The books cover all subgenres of romance, from fantasy to contemporary, and include representative titles from LGBTQ authors and writers of color.
Steamy Lit shares space with The Procure Shop on South MacDill Avenue, another woman-owned business to explore in Tampa. Gabrielle Caise of the Tampa Bay Times shared, “This new Tampa bookstore focuses on diverse romance and sex.”
On the morning of December 1, crowds of excited romance lovers gathered to indulge in their passion. Saavedra discussed her successful transition from a quarterly subscription box vendor to a brick-and-mortar business that has received much love, especially as a woman- and veteran-owned shop. Saavedra noticed that big bookstores like Barnes & Noble showed “little emphasis on titles from authors with marginalized identities.” This observation prompted Saavedra’s mission to seek inclusive titles for herself and for other readers who wanted to see themselves in their much-beloved happy romance stories.
Saavedra isn’t the only woman offering exclusive goods. Other shops near South MacDill Avenue include resale boutiques, plant shops, and crystal stores. “It’s hard for small businesses to find locations that are so prime,” says the owner of The Procure Shop, Christina Weaver. “We’re so excited to work with other women with similar vibes.” The boutique also offers items you can be 100 percent sure are “women-created, developed, and sourced,” she adds.
Niche small businesses not only offer much to the community but also reap economic benefits. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 21% of businesses in Tampa are women-owned. In 2022, revenue produced by these companies accumulated around $5 billion and employed over 85,000 people.
The presence of these businesses alone attracts visitors and offers more amenities to Tampa locals, supporting the area’s economic growth. As one Steamy Lit shopper mentions, “We need more places like this.” Tampa’s busy streets need diverse goods and services, which can be provided by more women-owned and focused businesses and those with distinctive backgrounds. With a wide range of choices, Tampa locals can find more options for a comfortable getaway spot. For a city as large as Tampa, the more businesses, the better.
After a successful expansion, Saavedra was pleased to see so many people come to support something she describes as “unapologetically feminist.” Readers of all interests and genders crowded the bookstore on opening day with a shared goal. It was an exciting morning for all now that they have access to a wide selection of romance novels close to home.
You can read more about Steamy Lit on their website at steamylit.com.