St. Augustine's Newest Haven For Book-Lovers Celebrates Grand Opening
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (July 14, 2025) – Over 1,000 eager bibliophiles visited Downtown Historic St. Augustine’s Midnight Moon Books and Boutique for its grand opening weekend on July 12th and July 13th. Owners Alison Bender and Melissa Hunt have built a cozy and intimate space packed with current and modern reads perfect to fill a dream library. As book lovers and collectors themselves, the journey to building out the storefront from scratch was a profoundly personal experience. They’re pleased to share Midnight Moon Books and Boutique, now open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 7pm at 111 King Street in St. Augustine, Florida.
“This is an absolute dream come true,” says Midnight Moon Books and Boutique co-owner Melissa Hunt. “It’s been such a whirlwind of activity, but to see this concept being so enthusiastically embraced, it’s just amazing. The feedback has been exactly what we dreamed it would be, and beyond. We envisioned a place where readers would feel welcome, where they could spend hours browsing, reading, and just belonging.”
Midnight Moon Books and Boutique is housed in the iconic Hamblen Hardware building, just across from the Flagler College campus. Bender and Hunt completely renovated the space, transforming it from an empty shell into a rich, vibrant space. Every single detail, from the Instagrammable moss swing wall to the brass-rimmed moon mirrors to the custom-crafted bookshelves, has been thoughtfully designed by the owners. A gorgeous wooden tree climbs one wall, its limbs holding hand-wrapped “Blind Date with a…” books (which flew off the shelves during the Grand Opening weekend) where customers can blind-purchase books paired with teas and ephemera that fit the read’s genre. Packaged treats and beverages are available for purchase, with expanded options, including wine, available in the near future. The large store houses other secret spots that will soon open for even more fun and interactive events and activities.
“We’re not done yet,” smiles co-owner Alison Bender. “Now that the main store is open, we can focus on getting the other areas of the building ready. We’re so excited to transform the larger back areas into even more space for readers to gather and enjoy their current reads. It’s going to be worth the wait.”
Midnight Moon Books and Boutique carries a curated collection of modern and traditional volumes from the fantasy, romance, and thriller realms. The boutique offers everything a reader could want, including comfy loungewear, hand-poured candles, fragrant teas, plush blankets, and handmade throws. As a women-owned small business, it focuses on highlighting female authors and vendors, with an entire section dedicated to local authors. Midnight Moon will also offer author signings, reading events, space for book clubs, and more.
ABOUT MIDNIGHT MOON BOOKS AND BOUTIQUE: Midnight Moon Books and Boutique is an independent lifestyle bookstore, offering a thoughtfully curated selection of books, stylish clothing, unique gifts, and more. Located at 111 King Street in downtown St. Augustine, the store is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Photos to accompany the press release can be found here. Learn more at midnightmoonbooks.com. Follow along on social media @midnightmoonbooksfl
