Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsie Yotter.
Chelsie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always had a love reading, even going back to elementary school.. I got introduced early to what I would coin my “fantasy romance” era, falling in love with a series about dragons and princesses. It was so much fun, and created a true love of reading for me. Unfortunately like most people, I went through a phase in college where I wasn’t reading at ALL, as all of my time was taken up with homework and things. However, when COVID hit in 2020, and I was working from home for over a year, I fell back in love with reading again and it became a true obsession. That year, I think I read close to 150 books!
Fast-forward a couple of years, and I thought to myself “Why couldn’t I write a book?” So, I sat down and wrote my first romance novel, The Best of Both, which is a Hannah Montana inspired RomCom and truly found a passion for not just being a reader, but being a writer as well. My day job is working as a special education teacher, and while that has been fulfilling in a different way, I have always wanted to have the freedom to share my passions with other people like me and make connections through romance. I think the romance genre is so unique in that it is unapologetic in it’s delivery, and the whole goal of the story is to find the happily ever after. I was searching for that for myself, which lead me to reach out to a former teacher turned entrepreneur of mine, Andrea Hanson, just to see what her thoughts were on making the bookstore a reality, and whether or not Red Wing would have a place for something like that. She was very encouraging, telling me that this was EXACTLY what Red Wing was missing, and that she would help me in any way that she could to make this dream a reality. That day, I went home and started an LLC on a whim, and started making the plans I needed to make it happen in whatever way I could.
I started my first pop-up/mobile event at Phileo in Red Wing, which is the women’s boutique that Andrea owns. I started with a handful of titles, a few tee shirts, and a couple of candles, and nothing else but a massive dream to make this a reality. I got into every farmer’s market, craft fair, and special event that I could and started getting my name out there. Right around the end of the summer of 2025, an opportunity presented itself to look at getting a more permanent location in the downtown Red Wing area. While that ultimately didn’t work out in that space, it opened my heart up to the possibility that I could be in a stationary spot, and it lit a fire in me to make it happen. So, in September of 2025, I signed the lease for the space I am in now to begin January 1, 2026. Being that I was in school full time again, it was a mad dash to get everything ready within the very limited amount of time I had. But, I am proud to say it all came together beautifully and I was able to officially open my doors on January 10, 2026.
Opening day was an absolute dream come true, but I honestly had now idea just how amazing this opportunity was going to be until now. Every day, I get to connect with readers who share the same experience as I do with romance novels, and I get to share my own stories with them in a genuine and happy way. I am beyond grateful for every person that helped me make this dream a reality, and every single day things get better and better. I cannot wait to see just how incredible this space becomes as I continue to build my community of people who love this hobby just as much as I do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, there’s definitely been struggles. As with starting anything new, it’s been a whirlwind of trying to figure out the super complicated world of business ownership. I am very much a “figure it out” kind of person, so I learn by doing, but that comes with it’s own bumps and bruises. Each time I come across something I don’t know, it was because I made a mistake and had to then correct it. I have made TONS of mistakes, but I like to take them all as an opportunity to grow and learn.
One of the biggest challenges I have faced is in the fact that this is essentially a one-woman show. I don’t have any employees at the moment, which means every second the store is open has been up to me. I have been sick here and there, and had to stay closed due to this, and it always breaks my heart to have to do that. We also know how winters in MN can be, and I live about 20 minutes away from the shop, so when it snows I can’t always make it up there. I am looking forward to the day when I either only have one job to worry about (aka the store) or can hire an employee or two to help out so it’s not solely on me. I have TONS of wonderful help through my friends and family, but I also know that just because they’re my friends doesn’t mean they necessarily signed up to provide labor for me, though I know they would if asked. I have had a couple of friends help out, and it has definitely been a godsend having them with him along the way.
Overall, things have been smooth in the way that my chaos brain works, but definitely lots of opportunities for me to continue to grow and learn as a business owner.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A Love Affair Book Boutique?
I specialize in romance novels of all sub-genres, particularly independently published or self-published authors when possible, as well as bookish related merchandise, and bookish events. I like to think that I have a unique experience for people who come to visit, not just in that we are a genre specific bookstore, but I also am hoping to foster a community of people who can find common interest in reading and falling in love with characters. I have begun hosting events such as book clubs, craft nights, and, most recently, a Galentine’s Day extravaganza. I am most proud of how I have been able to translate my own love of reading into an excitement within the community to foster their love of reading as well as build friendships through it. I want people to know that, even though A Love Affair is primarily a bookstore, it is so much more than that. It is a place for everyone to feel like they are welcomed and celebrated. It’s a place where I want to create as much community as possible. And it’s a place where I hope that everyone can find themselves within the pages of the books offered, or in the opportunities presented through events.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I’m not sure that I would classify this as a “favorite memory” as I have many that I could choose from, but something that I think had a fundamental impact on me was my friendship with my best friend, Amy. She is still one of the most important people in my life, and I remember the two of us scavenging garage sales looking for old “harlequin” style romance novels for young adults. I think the name of the “series” was Sweet Dreams and it was an old series from the 80s. We would spend many summers camping together, and the two of us shared these books and spent HOURS lying in the back of the camper reading and sharing our experience with the books. When we weren’t doing that, we were outside playing, swimming, tubing, biking, and all of the things pre-teen girls like to do in the summer. I remember those days so vividly in my mind, and I will forever be grateful to have a best friend like her in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aloveaffairbookboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aloveaffairbookboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575100967936
