Participating Stores (from 2025)
There are 55 independent bookstores participating in 2025's Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl!
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57th Street Books
About Time Bookstore after-words bookstore Book Bin Northbrook Booked Bookends & Beginnings Bookie's Chicago Bucket O' Blood Burst Into Books Call & Response Books City Lit Books |
Da Book Joint
Dandelion Bookshop Exile in Bookville Goblin Market Harvey's Tales Howling Pages Jarvis Square Books Lake Forest Book Store Lilliput Books Los Amigos Books Love's Sweet Arrow |
Madison Street Books
New Book Joy Newberry Bookshop Open Books Logan Square Open Books Pilsen Open Books West Loop Passages Wine and Books Pilsen Community Books Plot Twist Used Books Powell's Books Chicago Quimby's Bookstore |
Restoried Bookshop
RoscoeBooks Sandmeyer's Bookstore Secret World Books Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery Seminary Co-op Bookstore Skunk Cabbage Books Slant of Light Books The Book Cellar The Book Stall The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn |
The Last Chapter Book Shop
The Pile Bookstore The Understudy Three Avenues Bookshop Town House Books Unabridged Bookstore Uncharted Books Undercover Books Volumes Bookcafe Women & Children First Yellow Bird Books |
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57th Street Books
1301 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637 (773) 684-1300 IBD Hours: 10 am - 5 pm About The South Side's neighborhood bookstore since 1983, 57th Street Books houses a substantial selection of general interest titles, including kids’ books, popular fiction, cookbooks, sci-fi, and mysteries. About Time Bookstore
528 Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048 (815) 909-1164 IBD Hours: 9 am - 7 pm About About Time Bookstore is a cozy woman-owned bookstore in the heart of Libertyville. We’re dedicated to connecting people through books, from the latest releases and timeless classics to enchanting children’s stories. after-words bookstore
23 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 464-1110 IBD Hours: 10 am - 10 pm About A massive, two-story shop with over 70,000 new and used titles and an equally wide range of subjects. One of the few independent bookstores left in downtown Chicago, and the only independent bookstore in River North. Book Bin Northbrook
1929 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062 (847) 498-4999 IBD Hours: 10 am - 4 pm About Owned by two sisters, this Northbrook bookstore is renowned for its friendly, and personalized service. We’re “not a superstore… just a super store!” Booked
506 Main St, Evanston, IL 60202 (847) 868-8047 IBD Hours: 9 am - 5 pm About Booked offers a carefully curated, diverse selection of new titles and classics for youthful readers of all ages. In addition to several special events at Booked and in the community. Booked offers weekly storytimes and space for group meetups. Stop by the store for the perfect kid-friendly book or activity any time! Bookends & Beginnings
1620 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 (224) 999-7722 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About Eclectic indie store in the heart of downtown Evanston. New & used books and gifts. With an outstanding cookbook section and kids’ books in foreign languages. Bookie's Chicago
10324 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643 (773) 239-1110 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About Bookie’s has been providing books to the South Side of Chicago since 1989. Occupying a double storefront in the Beverly neighborhood, Bookie’s is one of very few bookstores on the South Side. They specialize in diverse new and used books from a variety of genres. Bucket O' Blood Books & Records
3182 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 (312) 890-3860 IBD Hours: 10 am - 8 pm About Bucket O'Blood Books & Records is Chicago's premier destination for new and used speculative fiction, from the macabre to the imaginative, and all points in between. Burst Into Books
119 E 107th St, Chicago, IL 60628 (872) 702-4998 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About BiB Community Arts Space is a vibrant hub in the Roseland community, providing a welcoming space for creativity, learning, and connection. Serving as a bookstore, co-working space, and community programming venue, it offers engaging storytime sessions, art workshops, open mic nights, and a bi-weekly food pantry. Designed to uplift and empower, the space fosters artistic expression, literacy, and community collaboration for all ages. Call & Response Books
1390 E Hyde Park Blvd, Chicago, IL 60615 (773) 217-8565 IBD Hours: 11 am - 7 pm About Call & Response is a Black woman-owned bookstore based in the Hyde Park/Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago that centers writings and experiences of Black people and other people of color. We offer literature for readers of all ages and provide regular events and programming for community members. City Lit Books
2523 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 235-2523 IBD Hours: 9 am - 6 pm About Located in the heart of Logan Square, City Lit specializes in contemporary fiction and non-fiction, with a richly curated collection of children's literature, speculative fiction, poetry, and more. Our store is a literary hub for the community, hosting many book clubs, poetry readings, and author events. Da Book Joint
6900 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60649 (877) 726-6556 IBD Hours: 9 am - 8 pm About Da Book Joint is a Black woman-owned business born on the Southside of Chicago, committed to literary growth and positive engagement of the youth. They specialize in African American titles of all genres. They are active in our community hosting book events, book club meetings and book fairs. Dandelion Bookshop
139 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 232-8559 IBD Hours: 10 am - 8 pm About Dandelion Bookshop works to foster a vibrant literary community by providing a curated selection of books, inspiring events, and a welcoming atmosphere that nourishes the love of reading in Oak Park and beyond. Exile in Bookville
Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Ave Suite 210, Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 753-3154 IBD Hours: 8 am - Late! About Exile in Bookville is a general interest independent bookstore located in the historic Fine Arts Building on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. Exile believes that books and music are synonymous. Read! Listen! Social Media Instagram: @exileinbookville Twitter: @bookvillExiles Facebook: @exileinbookville Goblin Market Manga & Curiosities
2868 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 IBD Hours: 10 am - 7 pm About Chicago's first manga shop! Goblin Market is an independent book store specializing in manga, manhwa, danmei, comic books, graphic novels, LGBTQ+ stories, and tabletop role playing games. Harvey's Tales
216 James St, Geneva, IL 60134 (630) 232-2991 IBD Hours: 10 am - 5 pm About The vision for Harvey’s Tales is to create a welcoming environment that inspires the community to come together to learn, explore, escape and relax through books and other diversions. The general interest, independent bookshop opened October 1, 2018 on the Osborne’s 35th anniversary, and carries new books, a giant wall scrabble game, a coffee bar, free WIFI, space for guests to sit and enjoy the atmosphere of the bookstore, and an outdoor patio. Howling Pages
4354 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 IBD Hours: 12 pm - 7 pm About Howling Pages is Chicago's destination shop for the coolest graphic novels, indie comics, and printed art. We specialize in independent titles, small press comics, self-published and alternative comics, and feature a huge selection of European comics, Manga, local creators, kids graphic novels, as well as art and illustration books. Jarvis Square Books
1522 W Jarvis Ave, Chicago, IL 60626 IBD Hours: 11 am - 6 pm About Jarvis Square Books is a cozy and beautifully curated used and new bookstore located in Rogers Park, Chicago. Lake Forest Bookstore
662 N Western Ave, Lake Forest, IL 60045 (847) 234-4420 IBD Hours: 10 am - 5 pm About Now in the historic James Anderson building, the Lake Forest Book Store continues its 70-year relationship with the community and looks forward to serving the residents and visitors for years to come. Lilliput Books
2150 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 217-9775 IBD Hours: 11 am - 7 pm About Located in Lincoln Park, Lilliput Books offers a curated selection of well-loved books and gifts for all ages and interests. Lilliput Books is a "small but mighty" independent bookstore with monthly book clubs for different genres depending on your interests. Los Amigos Books
2207 N Western Ave, Unit C2, Chicago, IL 60647 (217) 766-4587 IBD Hours: 9 am - 6 pm About/Conócenos We believe that every child should be able to see representations of themselves in the books that are available to them. We also know that raising bilingual children in the U.S. is difficult. It is precisely our mission to make it a bit easier on you by bringing books, music, games and more from all over the Spanish speaking world to our one stop shop. Creemos que todos los niños deben poder verse representados en los libros que están disponibles para ellos. También sabemos que lograr la crianza bilingüe en los Estados Unidos es difícil. Precisamente es nuestra misión hacerles el trabajo un poco más fácil en juntar libros, música, juegos y más del mundo hispanoparlante en un solo sitio. Love’s Sweet Arrow
17200 Oak Park Ave, Suite 103, Tinley Park, IL 60477 (708) 620-8365 IBD Hours: 11 am - 7 pm MASKS REQUIRED About Love’s Sweet Arrow is a Romance Exclusive bookstore, with a small YA and children's section. We are judgment free bookstore and happy to find books we don’t carry. Social Media Instagram: linktr.ee/lLovesSweetArrow Facebook: Loves Sweet Arrow Twitter: linktr.ee/LovesSweetArrow Madison Street Books
1127 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 929-4140 IBD Hours: 8 am - 9 pm About Madison Street Books is proud to be a woman-owned independent bookstore in Chicago's West Loop. Our focus and vision is to be a community-minded space with something in store for everyone. New Book Joy
5512 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About NEW BOOK JOY brings inspirational books, reading resources and interactive activities to children and adults of ALL AGES. The Newberry Bookshop
60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 255-3520 IBD Hours: 10 am - 4 pm About We have a stellar selection of books, notecards, and postcards; gift items by local artisans; and buttons featuring notable items in the Newberry collection. Open Books Logan Square
2068 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (312) 698-3580 IBD Hours: 10:30 am - 6 pm About Chicago’s first non-profit bookstore has expanded! Open Books has brought their expansive and always-changing selection of over 60,000 used and new books to Milwaukee Ave. All of our proceeds go to our literacy programs and free book giveaways to historically under-resourced communities in Chicago. Visit us often since we add 100’s of titles to our store everyday and don’t forget to bring book donations to help support our endeavors! Open Books Pilsen
905 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608 (312) 243-9776 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About Open Books Pilsen caters to customers of all ages and interests, and offers a truly unique payment model. All children's and YA books are 100% FREE to everyone, and customers can NAME THEIR OWN PRICE on adult books. This "pay-what-you-want" policy makes our inventory more accessible, and also allows customers to ponder what the "value" of books (in every sense of the word) means to them personally. Shoppers will find quality, popular titles across every major genre and subject matter, as well as one-of-a-kind hidden gems.." Open Books West Loop
651 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661 (312) 475-1355 IBD Hours: 10:30 am - 6 pm About Chicago’s first non-profit bookstore features over 70,000 used and new books spanning all genres and ages. All of our proceeds go to our literacy programs and free book giveaways to historically under-resourced communities in Chicago. Book donations are happily except to help support our endeavors. Visit us often since we add 100’s of titles to our store everyday and don’t forget to bring book donations to help support our endeavors! |
Passages Wine and Books
1911 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 943-1664 IBD Hours: 10 am - 8 pm About Passages is a community focused bookstore and wine café in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. Passages sells mostly fiction books (all of the fiction genres) and nonfiction around hobbies that nourish (travel, gardening, cooking). Passages is people focused and offers a comfortable place to read, unwind, sip, and connect with others over a shared passion. Pilsen Community Books
1102 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608 (312) 478-9434 IBD Hours: 11 am - 6 pm MASKS REQUIRED About Pilsen Community Books is a worker owned and operated independent bookstore that specializes in new and used literary fiction, radical history and politics, and literature in translation. The staff's goal is to unite their bookselling experience with their belief that labor is entitled to all it produces. Social Media Instagram: @pilsencommunitybooks Twitter: @pilsencommbooks Plot Twist Used Books
5938 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630 (773) 766-6034 IBD Hours: 11 am - 6 pm About At Plot Twist Used Books we believe in the power of words, ideas, & expression. We are dedicated to creating a space where book lovers will find a home and offering a curated range of used books that encourages dialog, fosters critical thinking, and celebrates diversity. We hope to create a space for the community to find new titles, ideas, dialog, and friends. Shop. Read. Connect. Powell’s Books Chicago
1501 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637 (773) 955-7780 IBD Hours: 9 am - 7 pm About The largest used, rare, and out-of-print supplier in Chicago, Powell’s has offered the best deals on bargain books--all 20% to 80% off retail since 1970. The store also buys used books from the general public. Located in Hyde Park, 3 blocks west of the Museum of Science and Industry. Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 342-0910 IBD Hours: 12 pm - 6 pm About Quimby's Bookstore specializes in small press zines, books, comics and ephemera, favoring the unusual and the aberrant. Restoried Bookstore
4613 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 681-0238 IBD Hours: 9 am - 6:30 pm About Restoried Bookshop is an Asian American-owned bookseller in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood working to build a more interconnected and empowered community –rooted in history, embracing creativity, and dedicated to solidarity– by amplifying the stories of Asian Americans and other communities of color through the love of reading. RoscoeBooks
2142 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 857-2676 IBD Hours: 10 am - 7 pm About RoscoeBooks is a neighborhood independent bookstore for kids and adults who love books and love to read. Sandmeyer's Bookstore
714 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 922-2104 IBD Hours: 10 am - 5 pm About Family owned and operated, Sandmeyer's Bookstore in historic Printing House Row has offered the finest selection of books since 1982. Secret World Books
1774 2nd St, Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 469-4875 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About Owned by author Gayle Brandeis and her husband Michael Brandeis and named for a book Gayle wrote when she was eight years old, Secret World Books offers used and new books, comics, and other wonders. Semicolon Bookstore and Gallery
1355 W Chicago Ave, STO, Chicago, Illinois 60642 (872) 258-2966 IBD Hours: 12 pm - 7 pm About Founded in 2019, Semicolon is Chicago’s Black woman-owned bookstore and gallery space. They are a nonprofit bookseller dedicated to bridging the literacy gap among marginalized communities by providing access to and building interest in books. Seminary Co-Op
5751 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637 (773) 752-4381 IBD Hours: 10 am - 5 pm About For over 60 years, the Seminary Co-op Bookstores has served as a cultural anchor in and beyond Chicago; as the first not-for-profit bookstore whose mission is bookselling, their stores, which include 57th Street Books, celebrate the power of the browsing experience to inspire curiosity, discovery, and delight. Learn more about the Co-op's unique history, their stores, and mission by visiting semcoop.com, where you can browse our iconic Front Table, explore upcoming events, tune into our podcast, Open Stacks, and more. Skunk Cabbage Books
2826 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60618 (872) 206-8039 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm MASKS REQUIRED About Skunk Cabbage Books is a nature-focused independent bookstore and community workshop space offering new books and local artist’s goods that remind us of human’s own place in our more-than-human world. Social Media Instagram: @skunkcabbagebooks Slant of Light Books
1543 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (262) 358-9727 IBD Hours: 9 am - 5 pm About Slant of Light Books is a new shop in Old Town! Started by a local high school teacher and professional book-sniffer. This shop provides a community space centered around books and a love of literature. The shop features a cozy fireplace, seating, and both new and used titles. The Book Cellar
4736 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 293-2665 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About What could be a better combination than books, wine by the glass, cozy couches and delicious café fare? Browse for the books you love to read at The Book Cellar in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, an independent bookstore featuring books by first-time authors, local authors, and more. The Book Cellar welcomes book clubs and discussion groups. The Book Stall
811 Elm St, Winnetka, IL 60093 (847) 446-8880 IBD Hours: 10 am - 5 pm About At the Book Stall you get great reviews, sage advice/recommendations, and personalized service for all ages and interests. If you love books, look no further than an indie store! The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn
475 N Main St, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 469-2891 IBD Hours: 9 am - 5 pm About Since 1960, The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn has been your proud independent neighborhood bookstore, committed to providing excellent customer service and a wide range of books for all readers. Social Media FB, Insta, Twitter @Bookstoreofge The Last Chapter Book Shop
2013 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 407-0610 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About Chicago’s very own romance-only bookstore in the Roscoe Village area. The Last Chapter's mission is to continue to support the many members of romancelandia, and connect you with the books you love, the merch you can’t live without, and the authors that are a positive force in the community. Waiting to welcome you to their little corner of the book world. The Pile Bookstore
7117B W Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 320-1001 IBD Hours: 9 am - 8 pm About Whether you are looking for a cup of coffee, a game, a new favorite book, or just a place to meet your fellow book lovers, you have found the right place. Read on to learn more about The Pile, or stop by to say hello and check them out! The Understudy Coffee and Books
5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 (872) 806-0670 IBD Hours: 8 am - 6 pm About The Understudy is a hybrid theatre bookstore and café celebrating creativity, collaboration, and discovery every day. Three Avenues Bookshop
3009 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 697-4697 IBD Hours: 9 am - 7 pm About We are a family-run independent bookstore in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Social Media Instagram: @threeavenuesbookshop Facebook: @threeavenuesbookshop Town House Books & Cafe
105 N 2nd Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 584-8600 IBD Hours: 9 am - 4 pm About An independent bookstore for all ages, with a friendly knowledgeable staff, located in historic downtown St. Charles since 1974. Unabridged Bookstore
3251 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 883-9119 IBD Hours: 9 am - 7 pm About An iconic Lakeview institution and Chicago’s go-to bookstore for LGBTQ literature. Uncharted Books
5140 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 IBD Hours: 11 am - 7 pm About Uncharted Books is an independent brick-and-mortar bookstore in Chicago. We sell a highly curated selection of used books, zines, and rare titles, with a focus on the literary, the local, the strange, and the adventurous. We are a small, scrappy, DIY business that has been serving our city since 2012. We especially pride ourselves on our eclectic selection, our unique and cozy atmosphere, our knowledgeable and friendly staff, and our busy calendar of community events. Undercover Books
1232 W 103rd St, Chicago, IL 60643 (872) 702-4456 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm About Undercover Books is a rare and used bookstore and community cultural hub (with a real private investigator office right in the middle) located in the West Washington Heights neighborhood on the far South side of Chicago at 1232 W 103rd Street. We offer a thoughtfully curated collection of rare and used books in a warm and welcoming environment. Volumes Bookcafe
1373 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 697-8066 IBD Hours: 9 am - 6 pm IBD special: Spend $50 or more and get prizes! About An independent bookstore with a bonus café! Grab a book and a coffee or one of the many weird/cool/cute bookish gifts! We have a vast collection of new and used books, and we have a busy events calendar. Story time twice a week, TUE/SAT 10:30am (often with authors!), lit speed dating, storytelling, author signings, date nights, craft nights and so much more! Women & Children First
5233 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 769-9299 IBD Hours: 10 am - 6 pm MASKS REQUIRED IBD 2025 About Chicago’s feminist bookstore since 1979, we are as political as we are literary. Yellow Bird Books
34 S Stolp Ave, Aurora, IL 60506 IBD Hours: 10 am - 7 pm About Yellow Bird Books is a woman-owned independent bookstore created to support the needs of the community by providing a thoughtfully curated selection of books and related merchandise. We help patrons discover the joys of reading, learning, and creating in a welcoming, inclusive environment. |