Grump & Sunshine, a romance-focused bookstore that opened in Belfast, Maine, in 2023, has relocated its operations to 40 Free St., Suite B, in Portland, Maine, about 100 miles southwest of Belfast. The original store closed October 2 and hosted a grand reopening celebration for the new space on October 18.
Owner Cassidy James Taylor told Mainebiz that after operating the business for two years in Belfast, she realized she had "reached the ceiling of what we could do in that location.... I can't wait to build a romance-loving community in Portland. My dream has always been to create a space where readers feel safe, celebrated and inspired. Whether you're a lifelong romance fan or just curious about trying the genre, there's a place for you here. I know we're going to have so much fun together."
She added that the 1,300-square-foot space does not need major renovations, but "a splash of pink" is being added to the walls to make it feel more like its original home. "The Portland store will offer romance reads, merchandise, book clubs, craft nights and author events. Taylor also plans to add more community-focused gatherings," MaineBiz wrote.
"My hope is that it's not just a store, but a space where people can meet other readers, make friends and celebrate their love of romance together," said Taylor. "It's bittersweet--I'll miss being part of that community every day--but I know we're carrying the spirit of what we built there into Portland."