Today we’d like to introduce you to Britni Mullins.
Hi Britni, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I spent the last 13 years in the corporate world working in marketing, and while I gained invaluable experience, I eventually reached a point of deep burnout. I went to art school, and at my core I’ve always been someone who needs creativity to feel fulfilled. For a long time, I was searching for what could truly fuel that part of me again.
That spark reignited during the COVID era, when I found my way back to reading. I immersed myself completely in books—often listening to audiobooks while teaching myself how to quilt—letting stories fill my days in a slower, more intentional way. My love for romance, especially romantasy, took root during that time. Stories became both an escape and a source of inspiration, reminding me how transformative and connective storytelling can be.
About two years later, I began noticing boutique romance bookstores popping up on Instagram and TikTok. Seeing those spaces felt like a quiet realization clicking into place. I wanted that sense of community, creativity, and romance—and I realized we didn’t have anything like it here.
One afternoon over lunch, I casually told my mom, “I think I’m going to open a bookshop.” Without hesitation, she replied, “Can I do it with you?” That moment changed everything. Soon after, we found an old barbershop on Broadway—very sports-themed, very brown, and in serious need of love. But I could see it clearly: the warmth, the romance, the community it could become. Less than three months later, Rue & Reverie opened its doors as Myrtle Beach’s first romance-only bookshop.
Since then, the journey has been more fulfilling than I ever imagined. I’ve been able to design custom merchandise, create a romance book subscription box, start a local book club, and—most meaningfully—build connections with an incredible community of women. In November, I took the leap and left my corporate job, and now my mom, Carie, and I run Rue & Reverie full-time, doing what we truly love. And we’re just getting started—we even have plans to open a coffee shop next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Building Rue & Reverie took a lot of hustle, blood, sweat—and more than a few tears. From the very beginning, the space itself presented a challenge. Cosmetically, the store needed significant work, and everything had to be done on a very tight budget. We had to be creative, resourceful, and intentional with every decision.
Thankfully, my husband—who owns Mullins Design Co., a local custom design and build business—was instrumental in bringing the vision to life. He built our custom shelving and cabinetry, and without those pieces, the store simply wouldn’t feel or function the way it does today. His craftsmanship allowed us to create a space that feels elevated, warm, and truly special, even within our constraints.
Beyond the physical build-out, there was a steep learning curve. My mom and I had never run a brick-and-mortar business before, so there was a lot of trial and error as we figured things out in real time. But I’ve always been someone who’s willing to learn as I go and not let challenges stop me. While it’s been demanding, it’s also been an exciting and rewarding challenge—and we’re proud of how far we’ve come. We’re still learning every day, and that growth is part of what makes the journey so fulfilling.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Rue & Reverie?
Rue & Reverie is Myrtle Beach’s first romance-only bookstore, and at its core, it was created to be more than just a place to buy books. We specialize exclusively in romance and its many subgenres, including romantasy, dark romance, young adult, contemporary, rom-com, and sports romance. We’re always on the lookout for new releases, beloved favorites, and stories that make readers feel something.
What truly sets us apart is our focus on connection. When you walk into Rue & Reverie, we want to talk books with you—what you love, what you’re reading, and what you’re in the mood for next. One of our core values is being genuine and kind, and that shows up in every interaction. We’re not just a bookstore; we’re a space where readers feel seen, welcomed, and understood.
We also have a deep love for local and indie authors, and supporting them is an important part of our mission. We’re intentional about making sure their stories have a place on our shelves and within our community, whether through in-store features, events, or signings. Championing independent voices allows us to offer readers something unique while supporting the local literary community.
Beyond books, we’ve built a community-driven experience through creative, bookish events and workshops. From Bling Your Book Night and Icon Glass Workshops to embroidery nights and other hands-on gatherings, our events are designed to bring people together in fun, meaningful ways. Our space is also available for private rentals, and we love hosting celebrations, book clubs, and intimate parties.
One of our most popular features is our bookmark charm bar, where guests can build and customize their own bookmarks with charms—including Kindle charms, dust plugs, and acrylic bookmarks. It’s become a customer favorite and a perfect reflection of our brand: playful, creative, and personal. We’re also getting ready to launch a blind date book bar, which we’re incredibly excited about.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is the sense of connection we’ve built. Rue & Reverie feels like a place where both we and our customers walk in and feel like we’ve known each other forever—like fast friends brought together by a shared love of stories. It’s a space filled with easy conversations, genuine relationships, and the kind of community that makes you want to linger a little longer. For us, that feeling is the heart of everything we do.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We absolutely love collaborating. We’ve already had the opportunity to partner with other local small businesses and brick-and-mortar shops, and those collaborations have been some of our favorite experiences so far. We’re very easygoing and open-minded—if you have an idea that feels fun, creative, or meaningful for our book community, we’d love to talk and see how we can bring it to life together.
We’re also always eager to connect with local and indie authors. Supporting independent voices is a core part of our mission, and we genuinely want to hear from authors who are interested in being a part of our space, whether through events, features, or in-store opportunities.
For those who visit or shop with us, the biggest way to support Rue & Reverie is simply by spreading the word. Reviews, recommendations, and sharing your experience with friends or on social media make an incredible difference for a small business like ours. We’re deeply grateful for every kind word and every person who helps grow this community with us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rueandreverie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rueandreveriebookshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rueandreveriebookshop/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rue-and-reverie-myrtle-beach
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rueandreveriebookshop/
