If you’re a bibliophile looking for your next literary adventure in the Windy City, then you’re in the right place. From independent booksellers to chain stores, we’ve rounded up the best places to discover new books and meet fellow book lovers in the city. Whether you’re interested in fiction, non-fiction, or children’s books you’ll find a bookstore on this list that caters to your interests. So without further ado, let’s dive in and explore the literary treasures of Chicago.
Best BookStore in Chicago
After-Words Bookstore:
After-Words Bookstore is one of the bookshops in downtown Chicago that is owned and operated independently. The bookshop takes great satisfaction in the fact that it is able to pack its two floors with more than 70,000 new and previously owned volumes, making it one of the largest collections in the area. They possess a wide range of publications, including works of fiction, poetry, literature, and books for children. In addition to a wide variety of other types of books, After-Words Bookstore carries a selection of titles related to photography and art, as well as local books, recipes, history books, healing, and health.
They take great pleasure in the fact that they have staff members that are committed to aiding customers in acquiring the greatest book at the most affordable price. This space is available for private events, such as readings, book signings, and lectures, and is open to the public. The After-Words Bookstore is also prepared to sell books during events that are held away from the store.
Quimby’s Bookshop:
Quimby’s Bookshop is a privately owned and operated bookstore that specializes in the sale of ephemera, comics, zines, and small press and independently made books. When Quimby’s first opened on Damen Street, the space they occupied was around a third of the size of what they have since moved into.
They continue to receive larger and larger books, to the point that they don’t have a reservation to put them all in one proper spot in the shop. Over the course of the years, it appears that self-sufficient publishing has gotten more relaxed, with more materials being available. Due to the large amount of stock that they carry, Quimby’s Bookstore is able to make efficient use of the space that they have available.
Volumes Bookcafe:
The Volumes Bookcafe is a new block independent bookshop cafe in Wicker Park, and it is a family-owned and operated company. They want to create a welcoming and alluring neighborhood spot for book enthusiasts of all ages, complete with racks of books that are well organized, a delectable menu of baked goods, and great espresso beverages. The Chicago area siblings who started Volumes Bookcafe now run the business.
Since the beginning of time, both Rebecca and Kimberly’s careers have been intricately entwined with the world of books. Despite the fact that they are both in wonderful positions, both sisters have expressed a desire to pursue a new line of work, one that would allow them to share with the world their passion for learning and the written word.
Sandmeyer’s Bookshop:
The last up on the list is Sandmeyer’s Bookshop. It is a locally-owned and independently run bookstore that is also family-owned. Those who have a passion for reading are able to tell the quality of Sandmeyer’s Bookstore the moment they step foot inside the establishment. Since 1982, Sandmeyer’s Bookstore has been of assistance to Chicago’s South Loop, providing first-rate brand-new books of the highest quality and service that cannot be surpassed.
Since the business’s beginning, Sandmeyer’s Bookstore has been run by members of the same family, earning it the reputation as a traditional mother-and-son enterprise. You are welcome to stop by and look through their comprehensive collection of children’s books, new releases, and travel guides. At Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, you can always count on getting something fantastic, whether it’s a new edition of an old favorite or the most recent number-one book on the bestseller list.
We hope that this list of the best bookstores in Chicago has been helpful in your search for the perfect place to find your next great read. No matter what your interests or budget may be, there’s a bookstore on this list that will have something for you. So why wait? Head out to one of these bookstores today and start exploring the vast world of literature that Chicago has to offer. Happy reading!