I Love You So Much Books opens in Northside

"I just love absurdly long album titles or song titles," said Galvino. "I always dreamed that if I had a place it would be kind of a weird name that was a sentence. It's also a phrase that I feel like people should be saying a lot more casually."

The bookstore, located at 119 W. Brookland Park Boulevard, is filled with both new and used books that Galvino hopes will fill its readers with new and unique perspectives. 

"It's a wide variety. We're definitely trying to expose people more to stories and authors they might not regularly come across a big box store. That's kind of the advantage of doing used books. There are just so many books out there that are never going to print again. So it is really special to be able to introduce that to people," she said.

The walls are lined with bookshelves and there's plenty of seating, perfect to host events like poetry readings and live performances. 

"This is a place where you can stay and relax and discover something new. I offer a lot of seating because I want people to stay. That's generally the vibe I want to bring. I also want to bring a sense of community. You can meet up with your friends here, have conversations and stay for a while," she said.

Bookstores are making a comeback

Bookstores are making a comeback, according to many media outlets. Barnes & Noble is expanding, with plans to open 60 new stores in 2025. In fact, after closing a location in Glen Allen last year, Barnes & Noble announced it will be opening nearby at 9840 Brook Road this summer.

In the spring, the locally-owned Fountain Bookstore will move into a bigger space just across the street from its current location at 1312 E. Cary St.

But Galvino, who grew up in Alexandria, likes to source books from thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace and even donations. Before finding a brick-and-mortar space to open shop, she hosted book pop-ups at various markets around and outside of Richmond. 

"I frequent a lot of vintage markets, or farmers markets, and the one thing I wish was that they had used booksellers," she said. "There's never enough bookstores. I think it's a super important resource to have no matter who you are. It's kind of been a dream since I was younger, and I thought that book pop-ups would be a good way to start learning how to do it and then eventually slide into owning a store. I just didn't expect it to happen so fast."

New shops headed to Brookland Park

I Love You So Much Books is one of many new locally owned businesses setting up shop in Brookland Park.

“I'm very excited about (the bookstore),” Ruby Scoops owner Rabia Kamara said.

Ruby Scoops was one of the first to move into the once barren area along with others like rock 'n' roll bar Fuzzy Cactus at 221 W. Brookland Park Boulevard and The Smoky Mug at 15 E. Brookland Park Boulevard.

“I've always seen the charm in Brookland Park and Northside. The biggest issue I've had to overcome is individuals making comments about the neighborhood being unsafe because it's historically Black, and I don't agree with that at all, especially because it is so family-friendly. I think that having more businesses that are more varied in their offerings, along with a diversity of owners, draw people to the neighborhood and want to be a part of it.”

Rabia says the influx of business is showcasing the area's family-friendly vibe.

“You can go to the bookstore, go to Scrap RVA, get ice cream and check out new restaurants are coming in. It’s really becoming family oriented," Rabia said.

“The families in Northside have been there for decades so you don't want to hurt them, because that's where they've been for a long time. I think we have found a really good way to balance embracing the history of the neighborhood, past, present and future," she added.

Galvino agrees. 

"I definitely want to hear what people want and the feedback that they have. So I think it's really important to listen to what people here want and need," said Galvino.

"It is scary, coming in and being brand new, but I definitely want to be an open space for people here."