#MyChicagoBookstore challenge celebrates Independent Bookstore Day
Thu. April 20, 2017 5:39 AM
Chicago, IL -
Two dozen independent bookstores in the greater Chicago area—from Winnetka to Hyde Park, from Naperville to Northbrook—are collaborating to make this year's Independent Bookstore Day an event that celebrates the incredible diversity of vibrant stores defining Chicagoland as a dream destination for book lovers and readers of all ages.
Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. Each store creates its own unique events—including guest authors, special kids' story times, readings, contests, giveaways, and special sales.
But this year, at least 24 stores are also jointly sponsoring the #MyChicagoBookstore Challenge, which encourages book lovers to indulge in bookstore tourism by visiting 10 or more stores on that one day. To begin their trip, readers can pick up a #MyChicagoBookstore carabiner and their first "luggage tag" from the store of their choice ( from any of the independent bookstores listed below ) with an initial purchase of $25 or more.
Additional bookstore visits throughout the day ( no purchase required ) enable them to collect an additional tag at each subsequent bookstore. The payoff comes for visits at the following levels:
Visit TEN stores and get 10% off at all bookstores listed below for the ENTIRE YEAR!
Visit FIFTEEN stores and get 15% off at all bookstores listed below for the ENTIRE YEAR!
Also, readers are encouraged to post a snapshot of themselves and their Independent Bookstore Day haul, and enter to win more prizes!
On Instagram: Use #CHIBD17
On Twitter: Use #CHIBD17 or @chibookstore
The #MyChicagoBookstore Challenge is being sponsored by the Chicagoland Independent Bookstore Allliance ( ChIBA ), an association formed last year to raise awareness about the vitality of the area's indie stores. ChIBA also maintains a Facebook page— #MyChicagoBookstore—where all member stores can post readings and other literary events to create one central "billboard" for literary culture in the greater Chicago area.
Participating Stores:
57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St., Chicago 60637 / 773.684.1300 / semcoop.com / 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.
Anderson's Bookshop ( three stores )
Downers Grove / 5112 Main St., Downers Grove 60515 / 630.963.2665 / andersonsbookshop.com
La Grange / 26 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange 60525 / 708.582.6353 / andersonsbookshop.com
Naperville / 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville 60540 / 630.355.2665 / andersonsbookshop.com / Selling books independently since 1875.
The Book Bin, 151 Church St., Northbrook 60062 / 847.498.4999 / bookbinnorthbrook.com / This 45-year- old iconic Northbrook bookstore is renowned for its friendly, personalized service. Not a superstore—just a super store!
The Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago 60625 / 773.293.2665 / bookcellarinc.com / Your Independent Book Store in Lincln Square!
The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka 60093 / 847.446.8880 / thebookstall.com / At The Book Stall you get great reviews, sage advice and recommendations, and personalized service for all ages and interests. If you love books, look no further than an indie store!
The Book Table, 1045 Lake St., Oak Park 60301 / 708.386.9800 / booktable.net / We are a fiercely independent, discount new and used bookstore in downtown Oak Park.
Bookends & Beginnings, 1712 Sherman Ave., Alley #1, Evanston 60201 / 224.999.7722 / bookendsandbeginnings.com / Cozy eclectic store nestled in an alley in the heart of Evanston. New & used books, gifts, outstanding cookbook section, kids' books in 28 foreign languages.
Bookie's, 2419 W. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60655 / 773.239.1110 / bookieschicago.com / Bookie's has been selling new and used books in Beverly since 1989. We carry a very wide selection. In June, we'll be expanding to a new, larger location to offer even more to the Chicago indie bookstore community.
Centuries and Sleuths, 7419 Madison St., Forest Park 60130 / 708.771.7243 / centuriesandsleuths.com / We have what you want, though you may not know you want it.
Magic Tree Bookstore, 141 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park 60301 / 708.848.0770 / magictreebooks.com / The Magic Tree Bookstore: your locally owned, indie bookstore since 1984. Board books to YA, games to adult fiction—we have what your brain needs.
Newberry Library Bookshop, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago 60610 / 312.255.3520 / newberry.org/bookstore / We are a small independent book and gift store with an emphasis on the Newberry Library of Chicago's core collections, local artisans, and Indigenous scholars and writers.
Open Books ( two stores )
Pilsen / 905 W. 19th St., Chicago 60608 / 312.243.9776 / open-books.org/shop/open-books-pilsen
West Loop, 651 W. Lake St., Chicago 60661 / 312.475.1355, x100 / westloop@open-books.org / Open Books is a nonprofit community bookstore that transforms lives through reading, writing, and the UNLIMITED power of used books.
Powell's Books Chicago, 1501 E. 57th St., Chicago 60637 / 773.955.7780 / powellschicago.com / Since 1970, Powell's has offered the best used and bargain books—all 20% to 80% off retail. Located in Hyde Park, 3 blocks west of MSI.
Quimby's, 1854 W. North Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.342.0910 / quimbys.com / Quimby's specializes in small press zines, books, comics and ephemera, favoring the unusual and the aberrant.
Read It & Eat, 2142 N. Halsted St., Chicago 60614 / 773.661.6158 / readitandeatstore.com / Chicago's destination for culinary books and experiences.
RoscoeBooks, 2142 W. Roscoe St., Chicago 60618 / 773.857.2676 / roscoebooks.com / 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 60605 / 312.922.2104 / sandmeyersbookstore.com / Family owned and operated, Sandmeyer's Bookstore in historic Printing House Row has offered the finest selection of books since 1982.
Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago 60637 / 773.752.4381 / semcoop.com / Widely regarded as one of the best academic bookstores in the world, the Co-op is located on the UChicago campus ( next door to Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House ) and has acted as an epicenter of cultural and intellectual life in Hyde Park since 1961.
Volumes Bookcafe, 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.697.8066 / volumesbooks.com / Hybrid bookstore/cafe catering to all of your boozy + caffeine needs amid a busy & eclectic neighborhood.
Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co./826CHI, 1276 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.772.8108 / secretagentsupply.com / We encourage the exploration of endless possibility through the power of writing. Sales support 826CHI's free programs for Chicago students.
Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St., Chicago 60640 / 773.769.9299 / womenandchildrenfirst.com / Chicago's feminist bookstore since 1979, we are as political as we are literary.
From a press release
Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. Each store creates its own unique events—including guest authors, special kids' story times, readings, contests, giveaways, and special sales.
But this year, at least 24 stores are also jointly sponsoring the #MyChicagoBookstore Challenge, which encourages book lovers to indulge in bookstore tourism by visiting 10 or more stores on that one day. To begin their trip, readers can pick up a #MyChicagoBookstore carabiner and their first "luggage tag" from the store of their choice ( from any of the independent bookstores listed below ) with an initial purchase of $25 or more.
Additional bookstore visits throughout the day ( no purchase required ) enable them to collect an additional tag at each subsequent bookstore. The payoff comes for visits at the following levels:
Visit TEN stores and get 10% off at all bookstores listed below for the ENTIRE YEAR!
Visit FIFTEEN stores and get 15% off at all bookstores listed below for the ENTIRE YEAR!
Also, readers are encouraged to post a snapshot of themselves and their Independent Bookstore Day haul, and enter to win more prizes!
On Instagram: Use #CHIBD17
On Twitter: Use #CHIBD17 or @chibookstore
The #MyChicagoBookstore Challenge is being sponsored by the Chicagoland Independent Bookstore Allliance ( ChIBA ), an association formed last year to raise awareness about the vitality of the area's indie stores. ChIBA also maintains a Facebook page— #MyChicagoBookstore—where all member stores can post readings and other literary events to create one central "billboard" for literary culture in the greater Chicago area.
Participating Stores:
57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St., Chicago 60637 / 773.684.1300 / semcoop.com / 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.
Anderson's Bookshop ( three stores )
Downers Grove / 5112 Main St., Downers Grove 60515 / 630.963.2665 / andersonsbookshop.com
La Grange / 26 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange 60525 / 708.582.6353 / andersonsbookshop.com
Naperville / 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville 60540 / 630.355.2665 / andersonsbookshop.com / Selling books independently since 1875.
The Book Bin, 151 Church St., Northbrook 60062 / 847.498.4999 / bookbinnorthbrook.com / This 45-year- old iconic Northbrook bookstore is renowned for its friendly, personalized service. Not a superstore—just a super store!
The Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago 60625 / 773.293.2665 / bookcellarinc.com / Your Independent Book Store in Lincln Square!
The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka 60093 / 847.446.8880 / thebookstall.com / At The Book Stall you get great reviews, sage advice and recommendations, and personalized service for all ages and interests. If you love books, look no further than an indie store!
The Book Table, 1045 Lake St., Oak Park 60301 / 708.386.9800 / booktable.net / We are a fiercely independent, discount new and used bookstore in downtown Oak Park.
Bookends & Beginnings, 1712 Sherman Ave., Alley #1, Evanston 60201 / 224.999.7722 / bookendsandbeginnings.com / Cozy eclectic store nestled in an alley in the heart of Evanston. New & used books, gifts, outstanding cookbook section, kids' books in 28 foreign languages.
Bookie's, 2419 W. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60655 / 773.239.1110 / bookieschicago.com / Bookie's has been selling new and used books in Beverly since 1989. We carry a very wide selection. In June, we'll be expanding to a new, larger location to offer even more to the Chicago indie bookstore community.
Centuries and Sleuths, 7419 Madison St., Forest Park 60130 / 708.771.7243 / centuriesandsleuths.com / We have what you want, though you may not know you want it.
Magic Tree Bookstore, 141 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park 60301 / 708.848.0770 / magictreebooks.com / The Magic Tree Bookstore: your locally owned, indie bookstore since 1984. Board books to YA, games to adult fiction—we have what your brain needs.
Newberry Library Bookshop, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago 60610 / 312.255.3520 / newberry.org/bookstore / We are a small independent book and gift store with an emphasis on the Newberry Library of Chicago's core collections, local artisans, and Indigenous scholars and writers.
Open Books ( two stores )
Pilsen / 905 W. 19th St., Chicago 60608 / 312.243.9776 / open-books.org/shop/open-books-pilsen
West Loop, 651 W. Lake St., Chicago 60661 / 312.475.1355, x100 / westloop@open-books.org / Open Books is a nonprofit community bookstore that transforms lives through reading, writing, and the UNLIMITED power of used books.
Powell's Books Chicago, 1501 E. 57th St., Chicago 60637 / 773.955.7780 / powellschicago.com / Since 1970, Powell's has offered the best used and bargain books—all 20% to 80% off retail. Located in Hyde Park, 3 blocks west of MSI.
Quimby's, 1854 W. North Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.342.0910 / quimbys.com / Quimby's specializes in small press zines, books, comics and ephemera, favoring the unusual and the aberrant.
Read It & Eat, 2142 N. Halsted St., Chicago 60614 / 773.661.6158 / readitandeatstore.com / Chicago's destination for culinary books and experiences.
RoscoeBooks, 2142 W. Roscoe St., Chicago 60618 / 773.857.2676 / roscoebooks.com / 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 60605 / 312.922.2104 / sandmeyersbookstore.com / Family owned and operated, Sandmeyer's Bookstore in historic Printing House Row has offered the finest selection of books since 1982.
Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago 60637 / 773.752.4381 / semcoop.com / Widely regarded as one of the best academic bookstores in the world, the Co-op is located on the UChicago campus ( next door to Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House ) and has acted as an epicenter of cultural and intellectual life in Hyde Park since 1961.
Volumes Bookcafe, 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.697.8066 / volumesbooks.com / Hybrid bookstore/cafe catering to all of your boozy + caffeine needs amid a busy & eclectic neighborhood.
Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co./826CHI, 1276 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.772.8108 / secretagentsupply.com / We encourage the exploration of endless possibility through the power of writing. Sales support 826CHI's free programs for Chicago students.
Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St., Chicago 60640 / 773.769.9299 / womenandchildrenfirst.com / Chicago's feminist bookstore since 1979, we are as political as we are literary.
From a press release