Bookstore revival

For many years, local bookstores were a common fixture in romantic comedies like You’ve Got Mail and Notting Hill. However, as online stores like Amazon came to dominate book sales, the romantic notion and the market prospects of the local bookstore began to fade. Nevertheless, in recent years bookstores have seen a revival. According to the American Bookstore Association’s annual report, the number of bookstore locations operated by their members rose nearly 50% over the last five years. Notably, in 2024 the number of new independent bookstore openings rose 31%. Perhaps the trend will also spark a revival in romantic comedies set in bookstores

Source: American Bookstore Association, May 2025