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Best Bookstores in Chicago for Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 30th is Small Business Saturday, which encourages consumers to shop locally for the holiday season. This year, hundreds of authors will be bookselling for a day on Small Business Saturday, thanks to Indies First, the brainchild of writer Sherman Alexie. Sister company Simon & Schuster and its authors recommend you start your local shopping November 30th in a bookstore, where might just see some of your favorite authors hand-selling their favorite novels! 

Here are a few wonderful bookstores in the Chicago area to support on Small Business Saturday!

BookCellar
The Book Cellar hosts many special events and they go out of their way to open the doors to Book Clubs. (Credit: www.bookcellarinc.com)

The Book Cellar
4736 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
www.bookcellarinc.com

Nestled in the heart of Lincoln Square, this general bookstore and café is a neighborhood staple. If you're on the hunt for a specialized book group, Book Cellar has several, including YA Fiction for Adult Readers, The Classics, or Chicago-based authors. Spend an evening perusing the stacks with a glass of vino and enjoy!

Related: Best Specialty Bookstores In Chicago

Book Stall
(credit: www.thebookstall.com)

The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
811 Elm St
Winnetka, IL 60093
www.thebookstall.com

With breakfasts, luncheons, and evening readings—either offsite or in store—The Book Stall hosts some of the finest author events in the Chicago area. Bestselling authors like Doris Kearns Goodwin, Khaled Hosseini, and Andrew Solomon can be found on the events calendar.

Bookstore
(credit: Thinkstock)

Anderson's Bookshops
Multiple locations
www.andersonsbookshop.com

Anderson's Bookshop has had a long history and is still run by members of the Anderson family. One of the most family-focused and sweetly nostalgic bookshops in the Chicago area, the store offers a diverse selection of thoughtful staff picks and an incredible line up of author events. A gem of the Western Chicago suburbs!

Related: Most Community-Centered Bookstores In Chicago

Books!
(Credit: www.oppl.org)

Lake Forest Book Store
680 N Western Ave
Lake Forest, IL 60045
www.lakeforestbookstore.com

Lake Forest Book Store is a full service general bookstore with a large selection that really does cater to the community. Partnering with many charities and local organizations to host events or book fairs, local residents come to Lake Forest for its hometown feel and charm. If you walk in with just an idea of a book that you'd like to read, the knowledgeable staff can match the perfect book to just about any reader.

Women and Children First
(Credit: Women and Children First's facebook)

Women and Children First
5233 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
womenandchildrenfirst.com

Founded in 1979, Women and Children First is Chicago's premier feminist bookstore. Notably is its wide selection of children's books that go beyond the typical princesses/heteronormatic families: Womn and Children First's diverse and distinct shelves make it easier find the perfect gift. This Small Business Saturday, you might catch Rebecca Skloot or Yvonne Zipter, among many other possible author volunteers, suggesting some of their favorite books!

Related: Best Books To Read Before Heading Off To College

Quimby's
Tao Lin holds up Jeffrey Brown's Clumsy at Quimby's Bookstore. (Credit: Quimby's Bookstore's facebook)

Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
www.quimbys.com

Located in Chicago's edgy Wicker Park neighborhood, Quimby's is not your average bookstore. With a substantial selection of literary magazines, books from small presses, and "saucy comic booklets," the more curious reader will enjoy diving into these peculiar publications. If you happen to find a magazine you like, Quimby's even has a subscription service notifying readers when the latest issue of their favorite zine arrives. If you're not even sure what a zine is or which periodical you'd like, their helpful staff will guide your purchase.

Watch Simon & Schuster authors talk about the importance of booksellers and independent bookstores in their lives and communities here.

These bookstore tips provided by Simon & Schuster, a CBS company. For more information about Simon & Schuster's support of independent booksellers, click here.

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