Chicago's Independent Book Shops

by Cora Saddler

Mazes of bookshelves have been retired, dismantled and replaced by online shopping—a digital landscape where strolling has become scrolling and browsing has become mostly instantaneous. It’s quick, efficient, and more importantly, solitary. But even if the digital storm has weathered and worn their brick-and-mortar buildings, independent bookstores are still standing. There will always be a place for people and their communities, two values at the very core of every independent bookstore.

Independent bookstores offer a place to preserve culture and build local communities: intellectually, occupationally, and economically, former LA Times arts reporter Scott Timber argues in his book, “Culture Crash: The Killing of the Creative Class” (Yale University Press, 2015). Timberg talks about people who have jobs in small, independent stores while simultaneously working on their art. He cites Patti Smith, Quentin Tarantino, R.E.M’s Peter Buck, and Jonathan Lethem.

The stores also provide a gathering space for intellectual discourse, and simultaneously, a reason for shoppers to visit the neighborhood and other nearby stores. Indeed, free speech and preservation of small business are among the advocacy issues for the American Booksellers Association, which marks Independent Booksellers Day on Saturday, April 30.

Lisa See discussed her new book "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" at a packed event co-chaired by the Women's Exchange on April 3, 2017.

(The Book Stall-Facebook)

“When you enter an independent bookstore, you’re not engaging with an algorithm or a bot,” says Robert McDonald, event coordinator at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. “You are interacting with real human people, readers, like yourself, and allowing yourself to become part of the long conversation between writers, readers, and other readers.”

Human interaction and face-to-face conversations have always been at the heart of independent bookstores, nurturing artistic and academic spaces for human connection and personal experiences in an age that often shortcuts ways to connect.

“Bookstores don’t need Amazon to thrive. Amazon needs physical bookstores to do so. Physical bookstores drive discovery,” says Alain Park, owner of Howling Pages, a Portage Park bookstore specializing in European comics and graphic novels, set to open at the end of April.

“You’ll discover books not because a computer recommends them, but because a fellow human being read them and believes they have value… Instead of a commercial transaction, it becomes a human interaction.” McDonald explains.

The Book Stall has hosted many online conversations and author events downtown at the Union League Club of Chicago, with speakers ranging from Lynne Cheney to former NY Knicks player Charles Oakley. More recently, it hosted Lindsey Vonn, the most decorated skier of all time. And yet, it has not forgotten the individual in the midst of their success.

Howling Pages soon-to-be storefront.

(Howling Pages-Facebook)

During the holiday season, “staffer Charlotte read an entire recipe to someone who was housebound. We might not have sold the book, but we gained a fan for life, and hopefully, that person will spread the word about The Book Stall,” McDonald said.

In the end, it’s not all about selling books. Any online store can do that, but “even the best algorithms don’t allow for the chance encounters that can happen when you browse in person,” says Park.

“The primary product, if you will, of both stores is our browsing experience,” says Clancey D’lsa, director of strategy and development at Seminary Co-op Bookstore, located on 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. It offers a wide-ranging selection of academic and literary titles as well as a world-class children’s department at its 57th Street Books location. The aim is to “reach a myriad of readers wherever they may read,” D’lsa continued.

“Most of our customers patronize our bookstores in order to interact with a space dedicated solely to books.” To accommodate that need, the Seminary Co-op Bookstore offers a variety of book-related programs and activities to ignite intellectual curiosity and invite meaningful conversation. Its Front Table subscription service, providing "Serious Books in Serial Boxes," its podcast, event programming, and digital catalogues, are all ways that the Seminary Co-op builds community and preserves the culture of artists and writers in its area.

Seminary Co-op is the first not-for-profit bookstore in the country and advocates that the act of bookselling itself is a cultural good.

“I chose Portage Park because it’s my neighborhood. I want to work where I live and live where I work… I want to get to know my neighborhood through my store.” Park said. The opening of Howling Pages is possible in part to community support via his successful fundraising endeavor, exceeding his goal of $15,000 in less than two months. For Park, the bookstore represents much more than anything you can buy or sell.

“We were created with one thing in mind – community – and to having a direct impact on raising literacy rates in Chicago," Semicolon Bookstore owner Danielle Mullen says on its website. Toward this end, the Black woman-owned Semicolon invites Chicago Public School students to the store every month to #CleartheShelves: to take home whatever books they like, free of charge.

The winding shelves of Seminary Co-op Bookstore.

(Pierre Gratia / Seminary Co-op Bookstores-Facebook)

"Literacy is Freedom," and Mullen says on the Semicolon website she won't stop working until her community is free.

“We have seen movement in book interest among teenage students and we consider that an amazing start!” she said in an email. “We did not create a way to actively keep tabs on if our book giveaways create readers, but we DO notice a consistent uptick in the number of teenagers who come to have booktalks with us in the store during the week.”

“There’s something about the tactile, human experience of being in a good bookshop that you can't get in any way other than stepping inside the door,” McDonald says.

Semicolon Bookstore owner Danielle Mullen.

(Semicolon Bookstore-Facebook)

And it’s true. When you buy books from independent bookstores, you’re buying much more than bound pages and ink. You’re buying the experience that comes with entering and leaving a bookshop: the hellos and goodbyes of your bookseller, chance encounters, and recommendations from perfect strangers. It’s relational, experiential, and sparks curiosity and discovery.

“We all gain something exciting when we discover something new we didn’t know yet existed. Everytime I go in a bookstore, I find something new. That’s very powerful… Creations need to be consumed. Bookstores let that happen in such a natural way,” Park finishes.

Abraham Lincoln Book Shop

River North | 824 W. Superior St (312) 944-3085

This Lincolnian-specialized bookstore sells historical books, autographs, photos, artwork, and memorabilia, with special interest in the Civil War and the U.S. presidency.

After-Words Bookstore

River North | 23 E. Illinois St (312) 464-1110

This two-story bookstore offers a collection of over 70,000 new and used hand-curated books and hosts book signings, readings, and lectures.

AlleyCat Comics

Andersonville | 5304 N. Clark St (773) 907-3404

This friendly neighborhood comic shop specializes in a variety of comics, manga, and old school games.

Alternate Reality

Mt Greenwood | 3149 W. 111th St (773) 881-4376

If 15% Off All New Comics, Everyday for Everyone!” sounds like a gimmick to you, it’s not—at least not in this reality.

Armadillo’s Pillow

Rogers Park | 6753 N. Sheridan Rd (773) 761-2558

With it's name taken from “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” this bookstore sells all kinds of books, ephemera, incense, folk and outsider art, and hand-crafted Eliza Jane jewelry. It embraces the idea that used books are everybody’s books.

Barbara’s Bookstore

Located in Macy's | 111 N. State St (312) 781-5257

Northwestern University 201 E. Huron St | (312) 926-2665

Chicago O'Hare International Airport Terminal 2 E3 (773) 686-1281

The Book Market | 2651 Navy Blvd. Glenview, IL 60026 (847) 904-7304

770 Village Center Drive Burr Ridge, IL 60527 | (630) 920-1500

This multi-location bookstore has been twice named by Chicago Tribune as one of 100 best things about the city and has been recognized as having some of the best author events in Chicago.

The Book Cellar

Lincoln Square | 4736 N. Lincoln Ave (773) 293-2665

Enjoy a variety of snacks, drinks, and books as well as their monthly book clubs, free of charge, no RSVP or registration; plus free monthly Local Author Nights, book signings and readings.

The Book Cellar

Bookie’s

Beverly | 10324 S. Western Ave (773) 239-1110

Bookie’s has been selling new and used books on the South Side since 1989 and has held group, in-person, and video talks with writers as far away as England and Australia.

Bookman’s Corner

Lakeview | 2959 N. Clark St (773) 929-8298

Started in 1975 in Detroit as a flea market, Bookman’s Corner carries over 150,000 titles in what could be considered a labyrinth of shelves and books.

Bucket O’ Blood Books and Records

Avondale | 3182 N. Elston Ave (312) 890-3860

This store is your go-to place for horror, science fiction, and fantasy—as well as punk, indie rock, and metal vinyl.

Build Coffee

Hyde Park | 6100 S. Blackstone Ave (773) 627-5058

Half cafe / half bookstore, this cozy community is nestled inside the Experimental Station and is designed as a hub for great coffee and radical collaboration.

Chicago Comics

Lakeview | 3244 N. Clark St (773) 528-1983

This shop specializes in small press, hardto-find, and highly collectable indie comics. It also offers you the opportunity to sell your selfpublished comic or zine.

City Lit Books

Logan Square | 2523 N. Kedzie Blvd (773) 235-2523

City Lit Books offers three different book clubs: On Earth We’re Briefly Gay (a queer book club), Anthropocene (an ecological book club), and Chicago Nerd Social Club (a science fiction and fantasy book club)!

D&Z House of Books

Belmont-Cragin | 5507 W. Belmont Ave (773) 282-4222

This fantastic shop carries best-selling Polish books, DVDs, puzzles and magazines.

Dark Tower Comics

Lincoln Square | 4835 N. Western Ave (773) 654-1490

This heroic comics store carries over 35,000 comics, bagged and boarded at no extra cost. It also offers a Comic Book Pull Service to ensure you never miss the next issue.

First Aid Comics

Hyde Park | 1617 E. 55th St (773) 752-6642

University Village | 1142 W. Taylor St. (312) 733-2080

Owner James began selling comics at 12 before eventually deciding to open his own onestop comic shop and gaming space that still stands today.

Frontline Books

Hyde Park | 5206 S. Harper Ave (773) 288-7718

Premier Rastafari and Pan-African publisher and distributor, this is one of only two Blackowned book shops in the entire city. It has its own collection of self-published titles on natural health, spirituality, history, metaphysics, Black empowerment, haircare, and more.

Gallery Bookstore

Lakeview | 923 W. Belmont Ave (773) 975-8200

Established in 1927, Gallery celebrates Old World traditions and New World innovations and attitudes at one of the last mystery, science fiction, and horror genre shops in Chicago.

Graham Crackers Comics

Andersonville | 5028 N. Clark St (773) 561-5010

Lakeview | 3162 N. Broadway (773) 665-2010

Loop | 77 E. Madison St. (312) 629-1810

Largest comic store chain in the United States has one of the largest selection of comics. Its 9 locations in Illinois have been serving its customers for over 25 years.

Graham Crackers Comics

Heirloom Books

Edgewater | 6239 N. Clark St (239) 595-7426

Founder Chelsea Carr Rectanus considered bookstores the “heirlooms to the city”: hence the name. Run on an all-volunteer basis, the bookstore preserves the memory of founder Chelsea’s creation and her inclusive and diverse vision for the future.

Kibbitznest Books, Brews, and Blarney

Lincoln Park | 2212 N. Clybourn Ave (773) 360-7591

In partnership with nonprofit Kibbitznest, Inc., this bookstore encourages the use of comfy chairs and communal tables to enjoy craft cocktails, a glass of wine, or coffee. There is no Wi-Fi, so computers must stay in their cases.

Madison Street Books

West Loop | 1127 W. Madison St (312) 929-4140

Woman owned bookstore that offers a diverse and community-minded collection. It also offers a Bespoke Book subscription service that’s highly customizable and tailored to you.

Myopic Books

Wicker Park | 1564 N. Milwaukee Ave (773) 862-4882

This bookstore is truly a reflection of the neighborhood needs, offering free reading/ poet talks and improvisational/experimental music. Mysteries are housed in their basement for dramatic flair.

Myopic Books

Newberry Library Bookstore

Near North Side | 60 W. Walton St (312) 943-9090

Curated book selection reflects the Newberry Library’s unique collection featuring subjects like cartography, Indigenous Studies, history, literature as well as book-related gifts.

Open Books

Pilsen | 905 W. 19th St. (312) 243-9776

West Loop | 651 W. Lake St. (312) 475-1355 x100

Open Books has worked directly with thousands of students and has a book grant program and literacy partnership with a multitude of ways to volunteer. They have given away 1,370,944+ books to date.

Paragon Book Gallery

Bridgeport | 1029 W. 35th St 312) 663-5155

This bookstore has promoted intercultural understanding between Chinese and American creative and academic communities by stocking titles on Asian culture and arts for over 75 years.

Pilsen Community Books

Pilsen | 1102 W. 18th St (312) 478-9434

General interest used bookstore offers two bimonthly themed book subscription programs: Seed of Change (introduction to radical concepts) and Bread and Roses (history/theory book paired with poetry).

Polonia Book Store

Portage Park | 4759 N. Milwaukee Ave (773) 481-6968

Established in 1969, Polonia is the oldest Polish American bookstore specializing in Polish literature with English translation and Polish translations of bestselling books.

Powell’s Books

Hyde Park | 1501 E. 57th St (773) 955-7780

This Hyde Park staple specializes in used, rare, and discounted books and has hosted Midnight Madness events with books 50% off regular prices.

Quimby’s Bookstore

Wicker Park | 1854 W. North Ave (773) 342-0910

This indie bookstore specializes in unusual publications, aberrant periodicals, saucy comic booklets as well as a comprehensive miscellany of the latest independent zines.

Quimby's Bookstore

Ravenswood Used Books

Ravenswood | 2005 W. Montrose Ave (773) 661-6020

Offering a fine collection of titles in an intimate space, Ravenwood’s used books come in nearly every category and price range with an emphasis on classics.

Roscoe Books

Roscoe Village | 2142 W. Roscoe St (773) 857-2676

After falling for Roscoe Village, the owners opened this charming bookstore that offers a variety of titles old, new, and gently used and hosts four different book clubs: fiction, classics, non-fiction, and CHIRP radio music books.

Rosenberg Bookshop

Lincoln Park | 60 W. Walton St (312) 255-3520

Located inside the Newberry Library, this bookshop carries a wide selection of titles, paper goods, and gifts that reflect the Newberry’s collection and exhibitions spanning more six centuries of history, as well as Chicago-centric titles.

Sandmeyer’s Bookstore

Printer's Row | 714 S. Dearborn (312) 922-2104

Serving Chicago’s South Loop since 1982, this family-owned and operated bookstore has a variety of titles to peruse and is open seven days a week.

Sandmeyer's Bookstore

The Secret Agent Supply Co.

Wicker Park | 1276 N. Milwaukee Ave (773) 772-8108

Formerly known as The Boring Store, this bookstore is a 826CHI non-profit organization that supports students 6-18 with creative and expository writing skills.

Semicolon Bookstore

West Town / Wicker Park | 1714 W. Division St. (312) 877-5170

This Black woman-owned bookstore and gallery space is committed to nurturing the connection between literature, art, and the pursuit of knowledge to better the community through words. Its Parenthesis nonprofit seeks to close the literacy gap in marginalized communities.

Seminary Co-op Bookstore

Hyde Park | 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave (773) 752-4381

Considered one of the best academic bookstores in the world, the co-op has scholarly titles focused on the humanities and social sciences.

57th Street Books

Hyde Park | 1301 E. 57th St (773) 684-1300

This site and the Seminary Co-op location became the country’s first not-for-profit whose mission is bookselling.

Space Oddities

Ukrainian Village | 1007 N. California Ave (773) 697-4439

Bookstore and gallery, Space Oddities sells books, art, local goods, and magical items. You can even book your own tarot card reading with the owner.

Third Coast Comics

Rogers Park | 6443 N. Sheridan Rd (847) 863-7450

This Loyola University campus comic shop tries to match your taste with their graphic novels.

Unabridged Bookstore

Lakeview | 3251 N. Broadway (773) 883-9119

Award winning children’s section, travel room, and Chicago’s premier bookstore for LGBTQ literature known for hand-written personal recommendations, voted “Best Bookstore in Chicago 2015” by Chicago Magazine.

The Unabridged Bookstore

Uncharted Books

Andersonville | 5140 N. Clark St (872) 208-7021

This bookstore carries an eclectic section of titles and features the Adventurer Club event space that can only be opened via a secret bookshelf.

The Underground Bookstore

Calumet Heights | 1727 E. 87th St (773) 768-8869

This bookstore carries titles on Black heritage and history and includes African and Diaspora authors.

Volumes Bookcafe

1474 N. Milwaukee Ave | (773) 697-8066 900

N. Michigan Ave | (312) 846-6750

Offers a by-mail blind date with a puzzle and a handpicked book subscription service with weekly trivia night, monthly open mic night, a storytelling series, and a monthly ladies comedy showcase.

Women & Children First Bookstore

Andersonville | 5233 N. Clark St (773) 769-9299

The largest female-owned and feminist bookstores in the country, this bookstore supports Books to Women in Prison, among other programs, and has hosted guest authors like Jimmy Carter.

Downers Grove / Naperville

Anderson’s Bookshop

Downers Grove | 5112 Main St. (630) 963-2665

Naperville | 123 W. Jefferson Ave. (630) 355-2665

Originally a pharmacy in 1875, Anderson Bookshop has hosted guest authors, including President George. W. Bush, Caroline Kennedy, Newt Gingrich, and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Evanston

Amaranth Books

828 Davis St | (847) 328-2939

This bookstore has offered a wide selection of used and rare books in excellent condition and has been in business 50 years.

Booked

506 Main St. | (847) 701-5707

Primarily a children’s bookstore, it helps open the door to a whole new world for children and matches young readers with books that will install a love of reading

Bookends & Beginnings

1712 Sherman Ave, Alley 1 | (224) 999-7722

Bookends & Beginnings owner Nina Barrett is the writer of “Fear of Frying” Chicago NPR broadcast, and her husband is an international expert on rare and specialized library collections and global children’s literature.

Comix Revolution

606 Davis St | (847) 866-8659

A tidy space for both comics and trade paperback collections, indie books, fiction, nonfiction, manga, and art books.

Forest Park

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore

7419 W. Madison St. | (708) 771-7243

Specializing in historical era novels, biographies, mysteries, Centuries & Sleuths has won the Raven Award from the Mystery Writers of America. The bookstore has hosted mock debates and trials and has performed mystery plays, and meetings of the minds.

Glenview

Round Table Books

1023 Terrace Lane | (312) 502-7335

This bookstore specializes in rare, antiquarian, and collectible books in history, art, Arthurian history and literature, Napoleonic biographies, histories, and more. It also offers bookbinding and repairs.

Round Table Books

Maywood

AfriWare Books, Co.

1701 S. 1st Ave, Suite 400 | (708) 223-8081

This Black-owned bookstore has been open since 1993 and makes the best of rich African heritage through specialty products, books, and events

Afriware Books Co.

Oak Park

The Book Table

1045 Lake St. | (708) 386-9800

This Indie bookshop offers over 60,000 discounted new and used titles, and the majority of items are 40-50% off retail price. It hosts an annual sidewalk sale for as little as $1 a book.

The Looking Glass

823 S. Oak Park Ave. | (708) 434-5515

While it sells gently used books, this charming bookstore has a variety of book-related memorabilia, pieces from local artists, craft classes and clubs.

Winnetka

The Book Stall

811 Elm St. | (847) 446-8880

This community bookstore offers thousands of titles and is known for hosting special events with bestselling authors. In addition to a weekly children’s story time, you'll find occasional comedy nights, book fairs, and more. It also partners with the Union League Club in Chicago to host book signings, including guest authors like Hillary Clinton.