Owners Love What They Do Dealing In Love Stories At Tinley Bookstore

TINLEY PARK, IL — Mother and daughter Roseann and Marissa couldn't find what they were looking for at other bookstores.

"You would have to go up and down every aisle at Borders and Barnes and Noble," said Roseann Backlin.

With their favorite genre consistently hard to spot in traditional stores, Backlin and her daughter decided they'd simplify it for others like them—they'd open their own. Romance bookstore Love's Sweet Arrow opened in Tinley Park in 2019. Several years and a pandemic later, Backlin said they're thrilled with the shop's success, and just celebrated its fifth anniversary.

"Both of us are happy to come in to work," Backlin told Patch, "because it’s what we love."

Neither Backlin nor her daughter had backgrounds in business—Backlin ran an elementary school kitchen, and her daughter is a Special Education teacher—but they've used their figurative "book smarts" to guide them in their business decisions.

"First lesson we’ve learned, is you can’t carry it all," Backlin said.

Originally opened at 17024 Oak Park Ave., they've since relocated just a bit down the street, to 17200 Oak Park Ave. Since weathering the COVID-19 pandemic, Backlin said they've begun holding more in-shop experiences, like book clubs and author visits.

But one thing hasn't changed: The stories are all romances, the endings always happy.

"Every book has a 'happily ever after,'" Backlin said. "With everything going on in the world, it’s nice to have a comfort read."

Monee resident Backlin has learned some tough lessons along the way.

"Authors will surprise you," Backlin said, speaking of in-store author events. "... as much as you prepare, you never know what’s going to happen."

Also, they used to offer new and used books, but they've shifted to about 90 percent new now, based on customer needs.

"Always expect the unexpected. We’ve done preorder specials that didn’t sell any, preorder specials that sold hundreds. You just never know."

Several author events have had audiences so large, they've had to relocate them—Christina Lauren's event was moved to Giorgio's, and Beverly Jenkins, whose event was moved to the Tinley Park Historical Society. Many author events and book club gatherings are recorded and shared on the store's YouTube channel.

The duo strive to keep up with trending author, with some featured currently including Ana Huang, Olivia Dade, and Ali Hazelwood.

To mark the anniversary, the store is offering specials throughout the month of June. On June 30, they'll raffle off a tote filled with staff members' favorite books. Every day of the month, they're handing out free "blind dates"—Harlequin romance books—for those who shop in the store. From now until June 21, shoppers can also enjoy 15 percent off in-store and online.

Backlin is touched that so many have embraced their store, and that so many share in their love of a good love story.

"Everyone that comes in here leaves happy," Backlin said. "That’s what we give you, is happy endings."

Love's Sweet Arrow is located at 17200 Oak Park Ave, Suite 103. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays.