The Well Red Damsel, Milwaukee’s first romance bookstore – which began last year as a pop-up – is opening a bricks and mortar location on June 21 at 6429 W. North Ave. in East Tosa.
The romance-focused bookstore was started by local entrepreneur and devoted romance reader Natasha Meyer. Meyer says the mission of the woman- and queer-owned business is, "to create a welcoming, judgment-free space for romance lovers of all kinds."
The store will stock a curated selection of romance lit, "celebrating love in all its forms – from spicy contemporary reads to cozy fantasy," as well as book-related merchandise.
The plan is also to host community events in the cozy space.
As you'd expect from any well-re(a)d damsel, this one is definitely not "distressed," Meyer says, but "empowered."
“Romance readers are often dismissed or judged, but our stories are powerful – they’re about hope, connection, and the kind of joy we all deserve,” Meyer says.
“This store is my love letter to the genre and the people who love it.”
The demand for romance in Tosa will be well met, too. On May 25, Thirst Books will open nearby at 5209 W. North Ave. The store's website and Instagram account list the address and opening date but little else.
The Well Red Damsel's opening celebration is planned for opening day, June 21, and Meyer promises giveaways, treats and collaborations with other small businesses.
Meyer plans to announce more details soon on the shop's website, thewellreddamsel.com, and on Instagram at @thewellreddamsel.
The arrival of a new indie bookshop is always good news ... two is even better!
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
