10 Heartwarming Melodramas Set in Shops

Description: This film, set in a small gift shop in Budapest, tells the story of two employees who dislike each other in person but unknowingly fall in love through anonymous letters. It's a timeless tale of love and misunderstanding.

Fact: The film was directed by Ernst Lubitsch and inspired the later films "In the Good Old Summertime" and "You've Got Mail." It was also remade in 1949 as "In the Good Old Summertime."

Description: A musical remake of "The Shop Around the Corner," this film features Judy Garland and Van Johnson as music store employees who fall in love through letters, despite their initial animosity in person.

Fact: The film was one of the last musicals made by MGM before the studio's focus shifted away from musicals. Judy Garland's performance of "Merry Christmas" became a holiday classic.

Description: While not exclusively set in a shop, the travel bookshop owned by William Thacker (Hugh Grant) plays a pivotal role in his romance with a famous actress, Anna Scott (Julia Roberts). The shop becomes a sanctuary for their love story amidst the chaos of fame.

Fact: The travel bookshop in the film, The Travel Bookshop, was a real store in Notting Hill, which closed in

Description: This classic rom-com intertwines the lives of two bookstore owners, one a small, independent shop owner and the other from a large chain, who unknowingly fall in love online. The backdrop of their businesses adds a layer of tension and charm to their budding romance.

Fact: The film is a modern adaptation of the 1940 film "The Shop Around the Corner." The iconic scene where Meg Ryan's character reads "Pride and Prejudice" was filmed in a real bookstore, Books of Wonder in New York City.

Description: The film begins with a chance encounter in Bloomingdale's, where the protagonists exchange items, setting off a chain of events that leads them back to each other. The department store setting is crucial to the plot.

Fact: The film's title refers to the concept of finding something valuable when you least expect it, which is mirrored in the story's theme.

Description: While the main setting is not a shop, the film includes scenes in a library where the time-traveling protagonist, Henry, meets his future wife, Clare, adding a romantic touch to their unusual love story.

Fact: The film was adapted from Audrey Niffenegger's novel. The library scenes were filmed at the Newberry Library in Chicago.

Description: This film features a quaint English cottage with a bookshop, where one of the main characters, Iris, works. The shop becomes a backdrop for her personal growth and unexpected romance.

Fact: The cottage used in the film is located in Surrey, England, and the bookshop scenes were filmed in a real bookshop in Shere, Surrey.

Description: Though not set in a shop, the film includes a scene where Tom Hansen, an aspiring architect, works in a greeting card company, which plays a role in his relationship with Summer.

Fact: The film's non-linear narrative structure was inspired by the French New Wave. The iconic dance sequence was filmed in a real IKEA store.

Description: While the main setting is not a shop, the story includes a poignant scene in a bookstore where the protagonists discuss their favorite books, highlighting the role of literature in their lives and relationship.

Fact: The film was a major box office success, grossing over $307 million worldwide. The bookshop scene was filmed at the iconic The Book Loft in Columbus, Ohio.

Description: Set in a small English coastal town, this film follows Florence Green, who opens a bookshop against local opposition. While not a traditional romance, the story explores her love for books and the community, with a subtle romantic subplot.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by Penelope Fitzgerald. It was shot in various locations in Northern Ireland, standing in for the fictional town of Hardborough.