The Book Stall

The Book Stall has sold books on Elm Street since 1940, first as Chestnut Court and, since 1986, under the current name, which makes the shop one of the longest-running independents in the Chicago area. The 5,000-square-foot store holds roughly 68,000 titles and a staff of more than 20 booksellers who hand-sell across fiction, nonfiction and a large children’s section. The events calendar is the draw: touring and bestselling authors, live storytelling and comedy nights, book fairs and a weekly kids’ storytime, plus author visits arranged for area schools. Peet’s Coffee is next door.

What to know

• Founded in 1940; renamed The Book Stall at Chestnut Court in 1986.
• About 68,000 titles in a 5,000-square-foot store with more than 20 staff.
• Weekly children’s storytime and a steady schedule of author events.
• Connects authors and illustrators with area schools for visits.
• Next to Peet’s Coffee on Elm Street, a block from the Winnetka Metra stop.