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Love is in the air: Romance bookstore plans move to Portland

storefont exterior of Grump & Sunshine future bookstore in Portland Photo / Courtesy of Cassidy James Taylor Grump and Sunshine's new home will be at 40 Free St. in Portland at the former Auntie’s House.
By Alexis Wells

Grump & Sunshine, a Belfast-based bookstore specializing in romance novels, will relocate its operations to Portland. 

Cassidy James Taylor, owner of the business, 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."

She said she wanted to keep pushing herself and grow the business. 

"I can’t wait to build a romance-loving community in Portland," Taylor said. "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."

Known for its curated selection of romantic comedies, themed events, and book clubs, Grump & Sunshine will relocate to 40 Free St., the former home of Auntie's House bakery.

Taylor said the 1,300-square-foot space doesn't need major renovations, but she’s adding a splash of pink to the walls to make it feel more like its original home.

The Belfast location will close on Oct. 2 and plans to have a grand opening for the Portland store on Oct. 18.

What to expect

The Portland store will offer romance reads, merchandise, book clubs, craft nights and author events. Taylor also plans to add more community-focused gatherings. 

interior of Grump & Sunshine bookstore in Belfast
Photo / Courtesy of Cassidy James Taylor
Grump & Sunshine will offer a range of romcom books, book merchandise, craft nights and more.

"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. 

The bookstore will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

How the business started

Taylor said that she has been an entrepreneur for over a decade, but about three years ago, she found herself seeking a change and decided to turn her personal passion into a business opportunity. 

"I’ve always been an avid romance reader," she said. "When I learned that romance is the highest-grossing book genre, it confirmed what I already knew: people crave love stories."

With a personal connection and established contacts in Belfast, Taylor said it felt like the perfect place to start this journey. She opened Grump & Sunshine in Belfast in May 2023. 

"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," she said.

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