Supporting Independent Bookstores in Chicago

By Allison Manley

 

The Chicago literary community thrives on its independent bookstores. At independent bookstores, you can attend readings and events featuring Chicago authors as well as authors from around the world. You can meet other book lovers and make lifelong friends. You can discover your new favorite books.

If you’re like us and you want to support these institutions despite our homebound state, check out the list of Chicago bookstores below and see how you can help. While ordering and donating help, don’t forget to engage with these booksellers online – follow them on social media, write a positive review, or simply leave a friendly note.

 

Store: Abraham Lincoln Book Shop

Link

Location: River North, Chicago

Address: 824 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60642

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

You can also call to place orders.

 

Store: After-Words Bookstore

Link

Location: River North, Chicago

Address: 23 E Illinois St, Chicago, Illinois

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? See note

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

Order giftcard by emailing bdvorkin at aol.com

 

Store: Alley Cat Comics

Link

Location: Andersonville, Chicago

Address: 5304 N Clark St, Chicago, Illinois

Can you order books online? See note

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

Personal shopping: pay over the phone and use our Pick-up Box. Shipping available. Purchase gift card using "Raffle" option to enter monthly raffle online.

 

Store: Alternative Reality

Link

Location: Mt Greenwood, Chicago

Address: 3149 W 111th St, Chicago, IL 60655

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Amaranth Books

Link

Location: Evanston

Address: 828 Davis St., Evanston, IL 60201

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Anderson's Book Shop

Link

Location: Naperville, Downer's Grove, and La Grange

Address: Various - see website for locations

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

99 cent shipping

 

Store: Armadillo's Pillow

Link

Location: Rogers Park, Chicago

Address: 6753 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, Illinois

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

Email at books at armadillospillow.com to order

 

Store: Barbara's Bookstore

Link

Location: Multiple locations in Chicagoland area

Address: Various - see website for locations

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: The Book Cellar

Link

Location: Lincoln Square, Chicago

Address: 4736-38 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

 

Store: Booked

Link

Location: Evanston

Address: 506 Main St, Evanston, IL 60202

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Donate to their GoFundMe page here.

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Bookends and Beginnings

Link

Location: Evanston

Address: 1712 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes (For online ordering only)

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Donate to their GoFundMe page here.

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Bookie's

Link

Location: Beverly, Chicago

Address: 10324 S. Western Ave., Chicago, Illinois

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Bookman's Corner

N/A

Location: Lakeview, Chicago

Address: 2959 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: The Book Stall

Link

Location: Winnetka

Address:

811 Elm Street, Winnetka, Illinois 60093

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: The Book Table

Link

Location: Oak Park

Address: 1045 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Bucket O' Blood

Link

Location: Avondale, Chicago

Address: 3182 N Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618

Can you order books online? See note

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Donations accepted via Paypal: bucketobloodbooks at `gmail.com

Any additional helpful notes here:

Email to inquire about ordering

 

Store: Build Coffee

Link

Location: Hyde Park, Chicago

Address: 6100 S Blackstone AveChicago, IL 60637

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Support their GoFundMe page here

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Carpe Librum

Link

Location: Loop, Chicago

Address: 108 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60602

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Donate to Turning the Page here

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore

Link

Location: Forest Park

Address: 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park, IL 60130

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Chicago Comics

Link

Location: Lakeview, Chicago

Address: 3244 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60657

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: City Lit Books

Link

Location: Logan Square, Chicago

Address:

2523 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, Illinois

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: D&Z House of Books

Link

Location: Belmont-Cragin, Chicago

Address: 5507 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60641

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Dark Tower Comics

Link

Location: Lincoln Square, Chicago

Address: 4835 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60625

Can you order books online? See note

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

To order, email darktowercomics at comcast.net

 

Store: The Dial Bookshop

Link

Location: Loop, Chicago

Address: 410 South Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor Chicago IL 60605

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Frontline Books

Link

Location: Hyde Park, Chicago

Address: 5206 S. Harper Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60615

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Gallery Bookstore

Link

Location: Lakeview, Chicago

Address: 923 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Heirloom Books

Link

Location: Edgewater, Chicago

Address: 6239 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60660

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Kibbutznest Books Brews and Blarney

Link

Location: Lincoln Park, Chicago

Address: 2212 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Madison Street Books

Link

Location: West Loop, Chicago

Address: 1127 West Madison Street, Chicago IL  60607

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

$1 shipping on all orders

 

Store: Myopic Books

Link

Location: Wicker Park, Chicago

Address: 1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Open Books

Link

Location: West Loop, Chicago and Pilsen, Chicago

Address: 651 W. Lake St. and 905 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Can you order books online? Yes - used books

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Donate books using the drop bins in the alley immediately behind the West Loop bookstore or on the corner of Halsted and Superior, or though the book donation slot on the north side of Open Books Pilsen!

Any additional helpful notes here:

Free shipping on all used book orders over $10; email store at openbooks.com to order new books

 

Store: Paragon Book gallery

Link

Location: Bridgeport, Chicago

Address: 1029 W. 35th St., Chicago, IL 60609

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

Use code CABINFEVER to receive 10% off regularly priced titles

 

Store: Pilsen Community Books

Link

Location: Pilsen, Chicago

Address: 1102 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Polonia Book Store

Link

Location: Portage Park, Chicago

Address: 4759 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60630

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Quimby's Bookstore

Link

Location: Wicker Park, Chicago

Address: 1854 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

Qustomized Quimby's Quarantine Zine Package available for $25; or chat via Zoom to explore inventory

 

Store: Ravenswood Used Books

Link

Location: Ravenswood, Chicago

Address: 2005 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Read It And Eat It

Link

Location: Lincoln Park, Chicago

Address: 2142 N Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60614

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: RoscoeBooks

Link

Location: Roscoe Village, Chicago

Address: 2142 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Rosenberg Bookshop

Link

Location: Lincoln Park, Chicago

Address: 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL 60610

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Round Table books

Link

Location: Glenview

Address: 1023 Terrace Lane, Glenview, IL 60025-2754

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Sandmeyer's Bookstore

Link

Location: Printer's Row, Chicago

Address: 714 S. Dearborn (between Polk and Harrison), Chicago, IL 60605

Can you order books online? See note

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

To order books and for shipping information, please call us at 312-922-2104 or email books at sandmeyers.com. Free shipping for orders over $75, or $9.95 for the 1st book and $1 each additional.

 

Store: The Secret Agent Supply Co.

Link

Location: Wicker Park, Chicago

Address: 1276 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Semicolon Bookstore

Link

Location: Fulton River District, Chicago

Address: 515 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Support their GoFundMe page here

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Seminary Co-op/57th Street Books

Link

Location: Hyde Park, Chicago

Address: 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60637

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Support their GoFundMe page here

Any additional helpful notes here:

 

Store: Space Oddities

Link

Location: Ukranian Village, Chicago

Address: 1007 N California Ave, Chicago, Illinois

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Unabridged Bookstore

Link

Location: Lakeview, Chicago

Address: 3251 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

Can you order books online? N/A

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A

 

Store: Unchartered Books

Link

Location: Andersonville, Chicago

Address: 5140 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

Purchase store merchandise on their website

 

Store: Volumes Bookcafe

Link

Location: Wicker Park, Chicago and Streeterville, Chicago

Address: 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago IL 60622 and 900 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? N/A

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

Venmo or Zelle staff members directly through links on their Instagram post.

Any additional helpful notes here:

Free shipping through April

 

Store: Women and Children First

Link

Location: Andersonville, Chicago

Address: 5233 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640

Can you order books online? Yes

Can you order a gift card online? Yes

Is there another way you can support the store during the COVID-19 crisis?

N/A

Any additional helpful notes here:

N/A