Below is a list of the top and leading Bookstores in Chicago. To help you find the best Bookstores located near you in Chicago, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.
Chicago’s Best Bookstores:
The top rated Bookstores in Chicago are:
- Unabridged Bookstore – has an unmatched sale book division and a world-class children’s section
- Sandmeyer’s Bookstore – an independently and a local family-owned bookstore
- Quimby’s Bookstore – is being logistically productive in appropriating space for books
- After-Words Bookstore – some of downtown Chicago’s independently-owned bookstores
- Volumes Bookcafe – a family-owned business and is a Wicker Park’s new block autonomous bookstore cafe
Unabridged Bookstore
Unabridged Bookstore was founded and organized by the owner Ed Devereux on Saturday, November 1, 1980, and since then, the bookstore has been flourishing ever since. The bookstore is popular for its devoted and educated personnel and the staff’s hand-written individual recommendations. Unabridged has an unmatched sale book division, and a world-class children’s section, and expanded travel room, and contributes a sweeping range of poetry and fiction.
For almost four decades, Unabridged Bookstore has also been honored to be considered as Chicago’s premier go-to-bookstore for LGBTQ literature. The business is nominated as “Best Bookstore in Chicago 2015” by Chicago Magazine, and they remain as an iconic company in the Lakeview area.
Products/Services:
Award-Winning Books, Best Books of 2019, Weekly Bestsellers, Events, Book Clubs, Sale Books
LOCATION:
Address: 3251 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: (773) 883-9119
Website: www.unabridgedbookstore.com
REVIEWS:
“Truly a gem. Definitely one of my favorite bookstores in Chicago. They have an overall great selection and terrific neighborhood feel. Do not miss their sale section! I no longer live nearby and still make the trek across town for a visit.” – Madeline Field
Sandmeyer’s Bookstore
Sandmeyer’s Bookstore is an independently and a local family-owned bookstore. For book lovers, from the minute you stroll into Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, you can recognize the difference. Sandmeyer’s Bookstore has assisted Chicago’s South Loop since 1982, rendering top-notch brand new books and unbeatable service.
The bookstore is recognized as a real mom-and-pop shop, as Sandmeyer’s Bookstore has been family-owned and managed since its inception. You can come and skim their inclusive collection of travel guides, new releases, and children’s books. May it is a fresh copy of an old pick or the newest bestseller, you’re continuously going to get something great at Sandmeyer’s Bookstore.
Products/Services:
New Releases, Book Sale, Business, Fiction, Cookbooks, Home & Garden, & More
LOCATION:
Address: 714 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 922-2104
Website: www.sandmeyersbookstore.com
REVIEWS:
“This bookstore is amazing! It has so many books and genres. It’s very organized and it has desks too! It also has three computers where you can search for a book to see if it’s in that store. I really like this book store and I hope to go again someday. Prices are cheap too!” – Robina Thornton
Quimby’s Bookstore
Quimby’s Bookstore is an individually maintained bookstore that markets small press and independently-printed books, zines, comics, and ephemera. They prefer the unique, the unusual, the insolent and the lowbrow. The initial place that Quimby’s was in on Damen – is about a third of the dimension of the location they are in now.
Across the years it appears that self-sufficient publishing has become more relaxed with more supplies accessible, which suggests they remain to get larger and larger books, to the circumstance where they don’t have a reservation to store it all in one appropriate point in the shop. Quimby’s Bookstore is being logistically productive in appropriating space because they have so many stuff.
Products/Services:
Adult Comics, Art & Design, Back Issues, Biography, Calendar, CDs & Vinyl, Chapbooks, Comics & Minis, Crafts & DIY, Culture & Fashion, Drugs, DVD, Erotica & Fetish, Essays & Criticism, Fiction, Film & Video, Food & Drink, Graphic Novels, Hip Lit, Humor, Kidstuff, Lowbrow Art, Mayhem, Miscellaneous Gift, & More
LOCATION:
Address: 1854 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: (773) 342-0910
Website: www.quimbys.com
REVIEWS:
“This place is a wonderland of an interesting alternative to “radical” books that’d you’d never find in Barnes & Noble. I loved it! They definitely know their audience. And if you’re into zines then this is the place for you.” – Cory Stewart
After-Words Bookstore
After-Words Bookstore is some of downtown Chicago’s independently-owned bookstores. The bookstore pride itself on being able to stock up a huge collection in its two-floor house with over 70,000 used and brand new volumes. They are highlighting a broad assortment of fiction, poetry, literature, and children’s titles. After-Words Bookstore also stock photography and art books, local books, cookbooks, history books, healing, health, and new age/occult books amongst many other kinds.
They take pride in having a staff that is dedicated to assisting their clients in getting the best book, at a reasonable price. The area is open for exclusive events, including readings, book signings, and lectures. Even private parties can be held at their space all year round. After-Words Bookstore is also ready to sell books at off-site events.
Products/Services:
Antiques & Collectibles, Biography, Business & Finance, Career & Professional, Children’s Books, Drama, Encyclopedia, Erotica, Family & Relationship, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Horror, Science Fiction, Self Help, Sports & Recreation, Travel, & More
LOCATION:
Address: 23 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 464-1110
Website: www.after-wordschicago.com
REVIEWS:
“Excellent bookstore in the heart of downtown/River North. Giant selection. Helpful staff. Good prices on new & used books. A gem!” – Stefanie Wright
Volumes Bookcafe
Volumes Bookcafe is a family-owned business and is a Wicker Park’s new block autonomous bookstore cafe. With profoundly organized racks of books, and a delicious menu of baked foods, excellent espresso drinks and a collection of regional wine and beer, they strive to build a friendly and enticing neighborhood place for book lovers of all generations.
Volumes Bookcafe is established by two Chicago area siblings. Rebecca and Kimberly have eternally had professions that were weaved with books. While Rebecca was using her profession in secondary and higher tutoring, striving frantically to have pupils reading, Kimberly was consuming her profession in early childhood, preceding kids to the ability of reading. Although they are both in great places, still both sisters desired for a different profession that could still bring their enthusiasm for education and reading into society at large.
Products/Services:
Current Staff Picks, Book Clubs, Selling Used Books, E-Gift Cards, Audio Books, Gift Card
LOCATION:
Address: 1474 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: (773) 697-8066
Website: www.volumesbooks.com
REVIEWS:
“This place was so open and cheerful and welcoming. It’s neat and clean and vibrant and i can easily get so much work done! The washrooms were clean and the snacks and drinks were pretty nice as well. The staff was extremely helpful!” – Q. Esther Leach
Becky Collins has lived in South Dakota her whole life. Becky has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and True Dakotan. As a journalist for Kev’s Best, Becky covers national and international developments.