"Contractors were scared to even touch it because of the home's condition," Teresa Rodriguez said. "We had an architect fall through. We ended up having an Ybor architect help us, and she did it out of the love for the concept because she wanted a bookstore."
Both sisters, along with Teresa's husband, Robert Jordan, said the support from the Tampa community exceeded anything they expected.
"We received three matching grants in 2023, 2024 and 2025 from Hillsborough County, and when our contractor fell through, the city helped us by extending the deadline so we didn't lose our money," Teresa said. "While we were remodeling the place, a woman who was 65 stopped by and said she used to live here when she was 11. She was amazed by the transformation."
The family shared similar stories of neighbors stopping by to watch the progress, excited to see a once-abandoned home restored and filled with books instead of sitting vacant.
The name Bookend was inspired by one of Laurie's favorite hobbies. She enjoyed reading cookbooks and cocktail books, where she learned the term "bookend" referred to pairing complementary flavors to create a cocktail. Because the sisters also share a love for reading, baking, crafting and pastries, Laurie felt the name perfectly captured the bookstore's vision: Literature and Libation.
Stepping inside feels like walking into a grandparent's home, complete with vintage furniture, warm décor and themed rooms that encourage visitors to slow down.
"We had plastic over the couch in the romance room, and one guest got so excited because it reminded her of visiting her grandmother," Jordan said. "I told her we were planning to take it off, but she insisted we leave it because of the memories."
That sense of nostalgia is exactly what Bookend hopes to create.
The romance room transports readers into the world of Jane Austen, while the children's room resembles a historic train complete with a ticket booth. Even the restroom carries an "Alice in Wonderland" theme. Throughout the main bookstore, visitors will also find hidden nods to Ybor City's history, including vintage cigar labels and coaster designs from the 1930s.
The Rodriguez family has called Ybor City home for generations, making it just as important to preserve the neighborhood's history as it was to create a welcoming bookstore.
Although romance has become the store's most popular genre, Bookend offers a wide selection of fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks and works by Tampa-area authors.
"We have some amazing authors in the area," Jordan said. "We'll be keeping up with new releases to provide a variety of books, although I think Laurie has more books in her living room than we have here."
For the family, the bookstore represents a full-circle moment — growing up in Ybor City, receiving years of support from the community and now giving back by creating a space that celebrates local authors and local history.
The response from customers was so enthusiastic that Bookend quietly soft-opened before renovations were fully complete.
"People just started coming in, so we let them," Laurie said. "The neighbors and people from the markets just kept showing up. We had a payment system, so we made unofficial hours."
Phase one of the project, the bookstore, is now open. Current hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Phase two will introduce a kitchen serving pastries baked by Laurie alongside coffee. The final phase will add wine and beer.
"There will be no to-go options," Laurie said. "This is meant to keep you here and slow down. Come in, enjoy a book with a sweet treat or drink. I can't wait for the kitchen to open."
Looking ahead, Bookend plans to host craft nights, book clubs and community events designed to welcome both lifelong readers and newcomers discovering a love of books.
"There is something for everyone here," Jordan said. "I personally love seeing people sitting in the chairs just talking to one another about life or book recommendations."
Upcoming events include a Bookstore Romance Day celebration featuring Persian Love Scones and a release party for the sixth installment in the "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series.
More than just a bookstore, Bookend: Literature and Libation is a community gathering place built on Tampa's support, Ybor City's history and a shared love of literature.
