St. Petersburg residents will have a new gathering place when Reverie Room opens its doors next week at 655 31st Street S. Owner and founder Nichole Coronado envisions the 2,000‑square‑foot bookstore as more than a retail outlet; it is designed to be a community hub where people can meet, converse, and grow together.
Hours and Early Offerings
Initially, Reverie Room will welcome guests from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, with the possibility of adjusting hours based on patron traffic. The space will host traditional bookstore programming such as book clubs and author discussions, while also planning a broader slate of events.
Diverse Programming for All Ages
Coronado hopes the venue will serve a wide range of interests. Upcoming ideas include collaborations with local pilates studios, financial‑literacy workshops led by area experts, and even audiobook walking clubs. “I want people to either start book clubs or have their book clubs here,” she said. “I’d love to have local business people too, maybe do a financial‑literacy class or things like that, to help people — besides just fitness‑wise, help their minds a little bit too.”
Themed Spaces Inside
The store is divided into several themed rooms. A medieval‑fantasy kids’ room features shelves of children’s books, a plush rug adorned with princesses, dragons, and knights, and kid‑size seating. The adjacent nonfiction, sci‑fi, and horror room showcases nautical décor, including a pelican tribute to St. Pete and a pirate‑ship motif referencing Tampa.
The “Romance Room” houses romance and young‑adult titles, highlighted by a floral display built by Coronado’s mother and a pink‑neon sign that reads “Lost in Reverie.” A hidden Speakeasy room behind a bookcase door provides a private setting for rentals and special events.
Community‑Focused Vision
Coronado emphasizes representation in the store’s collection. “You don’t realize you’re not represented until you actually see yourself represented,” she explained. “It was very important to me to do that.” The selection ranges from cardboard picture books for toddlers to dystopic feminist novels, aiming to reflect a broad spectrum of reader interests and identities.
Future Amenities
While licensing is still pending, Reverie Room plans to offer a bar featuring local beer and curated wine, encouraging patrons to linger and enjoy conversation over a drink. The owner also designed and furnished every room herself, infusing the space with personal creativity.
Supporting Local Economy
By creating a venue that blends retail, education, and social interaction, Reverie Room adds a new dimension to St. Pete’s downtown economy. The bookstore is expected to draw foot traffic to nearby businesses and provide a venue for local experts to share knowledge, reinforcing the city’s tradition of family‑friendly, faith‑centered community life.
Residents interested in attending the grand opening or learning more about upcoming events can follow Reverie Room on social media or visit the storefront during its opening week.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
