“Bookstores are doing better now than they were before the pandemic because of an increase in the number of people that are reading, and because the message has spread, which emphasizes the importance of supporting your local bookstore,” Barrett said.īarrett stressed the importance of independent bookstores as places that foster a sense of community and comfort, an experience big-box retailers can’t replicate.Įvanston resident Penelope Rosemont, a regular visitor to Bookends & Beginnings, echoed these sentiments. However, the store’s closure this past spring may lead to the arrival of more indie bookstores, Barrett and Slonka said. Slonka said there used to be about ten bookstores in the city, but once Barnes & Noble opened in 2006, the number of independent bookstores decreased. “Thousands of people pass (by), not knowing that it’s here.” Moreover, it will be great for actually promoting the store in terms of its visibility,” Slonka said. “The expansion of the store itself shows good promise. Tom Slonka, an Evanston resident and former bookstore owner, said he is delighted by the expansion as it is a definite sign that the store is booming financially. “I always felt that Evanston needed a cool independent bookstore,” Barrett said. Once the owner of Bookman’s Alley, the store that used to occupy “Bookends,” announced he was going out of business, Barrett realized the time had come to open her store. All experiences which she attributes to her ability to run “Bookends.” While completing her Medill degree, Barrett worked as a general clerk at an antique bookstore and was even a manager at the store. She said her time as a publisher and bookstore manager gave her the skills necessary to run her store. Once individuals come inside, Barrett said she hopes to direct them to the alley store.īoth a Yale and Medill graduate, Barrett has worked in the book industry for the past 15 years. “We never could take advantage of all the foot traffic that comes from the restaurants, the football games, the reunions or the parent-child drop-offs because the store is located in an alley and not directly visible on the street,” Barrett said.īarrett wanted the extension to serve a boutique-style gift store appealing to the average passerby. She said she saw the storefront’s large window on Sherman Avenue will increase business visibility. When CouCou & Olive, which was adjacent to Bookends & Beginnings, closed, bookstore owner Nina Barrett (Medill ‘87) jumped at the chance to expand and grow the store. Despite the challenges the pandemic has brought on, Bookends & Beginnings – which recently expanded – continues to thrive.
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