From TikTok to Town: Couple's Dream Bookshop Comes to Life!

Ally Fir and Matt Rawlings, a couple who love books, have achieved their 'absolute dream' by opening a bookshop in Bournemouth. Their journey began in 2022 when they created 'The Mysterious Bookcase' on TikTok, selling mystery books to people who enjoyed surprises. Over the past three years, their online business grew, and now they have opened a physical store in Westbourne Arcade. The shop offers a variety of genres, including romance, science fiction, fantasy, and thriller fiction, giving readers many choices.

Ally Fir, originally from Canada, explained that the shop became possible thanks to the support of 615 members of their online fan club. These fans helped them raise nearly £32,000, which allowed them to turn their online dream into a real shop. Ally said, 'This will be a wonderful, beautiful experience for readers to find new titles. ' The couple has a unique way of selling books: customers choose a genre, and then Ally and Matt pick a surprise book for them. They wrap the book beautifully and include some small gifts, making the experience special. Ally added, 'We never expected to open a bookshop so soon, but it is an absolute dream that customers can now come into our shop. '

With almost 45,000 followers on TikTok, Ally and Matt plan to continue sharing their love of books by wrapping orders live on their channel. Ally said it might take some time to get used to working in a physical shop after being online for so long. They designed the shop to feel cosy and inviting, with sliding ladders and a 'dark academia and Sherlock Holmes' theme to keep the mysterious atmosphere. Ally said, 'It has been a challenge moving from online to bricks and mortar, but it felt like the right step for us. ' Now, customers can visit their shop, enjoy the unique experience, and discover new books in a warm and friendly environment.