The Bookstore - Glen Ellyn, IL

The Bookstore - Glen Ellyn, IL

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If you're not smiling when you walk into this bookstore you will be by the time you leave.  There's no need for drugs when you can spend time around booksellers like Jenny, Renee, and Sue.  And as if that isn't enough, you can enjoy spending time in a wonderful independent bookstore in suburban Chicago.

Jenny's approximate words to me were, "We have a great staff chemistry here.  We look forward to coming to work and we have a lot of fun."  If you have great chemistry AND work in a bookstore, what could be better and how could it not be fun?  Heck, send me an application!  When a store has this it filters through to its customers and other people.  It becomes contagious.  I was here on a week day morning and could see and feel the chemistry with the customers.  The place was busy and the place was happy.  Two great components for any independent bookstore.

The store itself is located on the downtown Main St. of Glen Ellyn, an excellent location.  If you take the Metra here from Chicago it is a very short walk to the store.  The store is small to average sized, with everything located on one level.  There is an especially good assortment of greeting cards but other than that, there are not many sidelines.  The customer base is largely local with plenty of regulars.  This is what happens for a business that has been around for over 50 years.  The store also hosts occasional author and book events and if you need a book but can't get to the store, you can always order online.  They're meticulous about their book inventory here.  They don't just throw anything on the shelves but try to limit it to books the staff has read and can recommend or is familiar with.  It seems to me this would make for a great staff of booksellers!

I didn't get to meet Jane or Tim, the co-owners, on this visit, but I had a fabulous time meeting and talking to Jenny, Renee, and Sue.  If you look up the definition of "nice people who are also booksellers," you'll see the pictures of these three.  They were so nice to talk to me and tell me so much about the store and the area.  And the customers I talked to were just as nice as the booksellers.  There are no cats here but I had the best chat with a friendly dog, Suni.  Readers, do you see why I am enjoying this bookstore journey so much?!

Jane and Tim are the 4th ownership of The Bookstore.  This place is established and the roots run deep.  There is no reason the success at this store can't move forward well into the future.  I know all of you visit Chicago on business or vacations.  You now have another place to visit when you're in the area.  Check out this great indie and the wonderful people you will meet here.  Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Didn't.  The Spinning Heart, Donal Ryan.  This was a book of the year pick in Ireland.  Highly recommended by many.  Many of you will like this book.  It just didn't grab me.

CURRENTLY READING:  Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves, P. G. Wodehouse.  Thoroughly enjoying it.  Read it with a British accent in your head and you'll be fine.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  This Is Where I Leave You, Jonathan Tropper.

Great window display with a seasonal theme.  

I absolutely love this sign!  This is true everywhere I go!

View looking toward the back of the store from the front entrance.  

Display of what local book clubs are reading.  Another great way to bring customers into the store.  

Staff picks located at the front of the store.  

Have a seat in this chair and try out a book.  Or a magazine.  

Renee on the left and Jenny on the right.  Thanks for a great visit!  

Do you need to see a cat in a bookstore?  You'll have to settle for this at this one.  

Great selection of greeting cards.  

Part of the children's section toward the rear of the store.  

View from the back of the store looking toward the front.  

The booksellers at this store not only know all their regular customers by name, they also know the customer's dogs by name.  This is Suni, dressed for the season!