The Family-Owned Chain Of Bookstores That’s Been An Illinois Favorite Since 1875
There’s a small chain of family-owned bookstores in Illinois that deserve your attention. Since the 1800s, this chain has been an iconic part of the state, and you’ll want to do all your book shopping there.
Book lovers unite for these adorable stores. Check ’em out:
Anderson's Bookshop has been in business for nearly 150 years and has three locations in northern Illinois. It is a retailer of all genres of literature, toys, novelty candy, and other trinkets and knickknacks.
The business started as a pharmacy in 1875 when Naperville was just a farm town. Back then, it was called W. W. Wickel Pharmacy and happened to sell a few books. It was not until 1964 that an official bookstore was opened above the drugstore and called Paperback Paradise.
The main location expanded and moved several times over the years, and in 1980, the Downers Grove location was opened. The La Grange location opened in 2015, giving most of the Chicagoland area a chance to shop Anderson's Bookshop.
Just about any title you are searching for can be found here. Genres such as fantasy, mystery, children's literature, young adult, nature topics, religious studies, self-help, and much more can be found on these shelves.
Events take place throughout the year at these family-owned bookstores. Poetry clubs, readings, crafts, book groups, and other fun times abound. These happenings are free and open to the public.
These family-owned bookstores have won many awards over the years. The Chicago Tribune, Mental Floss, Publisher's Weekly, and other prestigious media have recognized this shop.
Anderson’s Bookshop has locations at 123 W Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540, 5112 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515, and 26 South La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525. Learn more about them on the store’s website or Facebook page.
Have you been to one of these family-owned bookstores? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
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An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
