Under the Covers Adds a New Option to Kamm’s Corners Literary Ecosystem
If you’re on the hunt for your next favorite book to get lost in, it just might be waiting for you at one of Kamm’s Corners newest businesses.
Opened in May, Under the Covers is a bookstore that specializes in contemporary romance novels. Owner Ashley Smith made the leap from the corporate world to small business ownership after she discovered a similar concept to Under the Covers while traveling. That trip sparked an idea to bring her own spin on a retail bookstore to Cleveland. After finding the perfect space in Kamm’s Corners, Under the Covers was born.
From indie to mass market, inside you can find novels from a wide variety of writers. The range in options doesn’t stop with the authors represented though. The store is organized by subgenres in the romance world with stories spanning from comedy to suspense, fantasy to historical, and more. Ashley curates her store with the philosophy of don’t yuck someone’s yum, so titles for all audiences are easy to find. Plus, if you’re looking for a specific novel not on the shelves Ashley can assist you with ordering it.
Another unique element to Under the Covers is the focus on spotlighting the local creative community. As soon as you enter the space, you’ll find a bookcase curated with titles from Northeast Ohio writers. As you continue to explore, a nice selection of handmade goods and book accessories from local creators are intermixed throughout the shelves. Plus, all the Under the Covers swag like sweatshirts and crop tops were printed by their Kamm’s Corners neighbor, Only in Clev.
Since opening, Under the Covers has hosted a calendar full of events to introduce folks to the space. Book signings with local authors, tarot card readings, and a book bedazzling night are just a few of the opportunities for socializing and community that Ashley has organized thus far. Coming up a little later this month on July 25th is a Christmas in July vendor market to further build on the connection between Under the Covers and local creators.
Aside from specialty events, Under the Covers has several ongoing interactive displays in their store to engage readers during their visit. Near the rear entrance is a “How Spicy Do You Want It” display that recommends books on a spicy scale of 1 -5. Readers looking for additional recommendations can check out the “Blind Date With a Book” section where they can choose an anonymous book wrapped in brown paper based on a short synopsis written on it.
Under the Covers continues to grow the literary community in Kamm’s Corners in joining other businesses like the American Diary Project, The Reading Room CLE, and Carol and John’s Comic Shop. Each has their own niche in the literary world giving book lovers the opportunity to make a day out of exploring Kamm’s Corners.
Under the Covers is located at 17009 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44111. Store hours are 11a.m. – 7p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11a.m. – 5p.m. on Sundays. Parking is easy with metered spaces on Lorain Avenue just outside their door or in the free parking lot behind the building. You can follow Under the Covers on Instagram @underthecoverscle or facebook.com/underthecoverscle
