Chicago's beloved used bookstore chain, Open Books, is set to close its doors in Logan Square by March 1 due to mounting financial struggles.
The nonprofit organization, which has been a staple in the community since 2023, has struggled to maintain its mission to provide free books and literacy programs for children and families across the city. Despite its efforts, changes in funding and priorities have taken a toll on the company.
Executive Director Jennifer Steele cited the need to protect the organization's mission as the reason behind the closure of the Logan Square location, stating that it would allow them to ensure equitable access to high-quality books, programs, and literacy spaces for partner communities. The remaining two locations in West Loop and Pilsen will remain open, along with their online shop.
Steele acknowledged that the news comes as a disappointment to staff, neighbors, volunteers, and customers who have grown attached to the store's mission to spread the joy of reading. She expressed gratitude to the community for welcoming the store and participating in its efforts.
The organization has been facing significant financial challenges since the pandemic, with funding priorities shifting and impacting their ability to maintain their programs. Steele is urging patrons to continue shopping at the Logan Square storefront and donating books across all locations.
Although the closure of Open Books' Logan Square location marks the end of an era for book lovers in the neighborhood, City Lit Books will take over as the sole bookstore in the area, bringing a new chapter to the community's literary scene.
The nonprofit organization, which has been a staple in the community since 2023, has struggled to maintain its mission to provide free books and literacy programs for children and families across the city. Despite its efforts, changes in funding and priorities have taken a toll on the company.
Executive Director Jennifer Steele cited the need to protect the organization's mission as the reason behind the closure of the Logan Square location, stating that it would allow them to ensure equitable access to high-quality books, programs, and literacy spaces for partner communities. The remaining two locations in West Loop and Pilsen will remain open, along with their online shop.
Steele acknowledged that the news comes as a disappointment to staff, neighbors, volunteers, and customers who have grown attached to the store's mission to spread the joy of reading. She expressed gratitude to the community for welcoming the store and participating in its efforts.
The organization has been facing significant financial challenges since the pandemic, with funding priorities shifting and impacting their ability to maintain their programs. Steele is urging patrons to continue shopping at the Logan Square storefront and donating books across all locations.
Although the closure of Open Books' Logan Square location marks the end of an era for book lovers in the neighborhood, City Lit Books will take over as the sole bookstore in the area, bringing a new chapter to the community's literary scene.
open books was literally my go-to spot in logan sq i loved browsing through their shelves and getting free books for my kid. how can a nonprofit org not get enough funding? it makes sense that they'd want to focus on the other two locations but it still feels like a loss for the community 
anyway, city lit books is supposed to be a good replacement but i'm gonna miss open books 
. It's not like there are other used bookstores around here that can compete with them... City Lit Books is gonna be so crowded, I bet 
! 
. Anyways, I guess we'll just have to find other places to grab our fave books and support them instead of Open Books... 
The closure of Open Books' Logan Square location is a significant blow to Chicago's literary community 
. I'm grateful for Executive Director Jennifer Steele's commitment to protecting the organization's mission, but it's hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia for the Logan Square location 
. It'll be interesting to see how City Lit Books adapts to the area and what that means for book lovers in the neighborhood 
.
. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's great that Open Books is trying to protect its mission and all, but I think we should be worried about the impact of corporate bookstores taking over now that City Lit Books is stepping in. It's like, what's gonna happen to all those community-driven programs and free books for underprivileged families? 
Plus, have you seen the prices at City Lit Books lately? It's like they're trying to suck the soul out of reading 
. I guess I'm just old-school about this stuff...
what happened to all those free books though? did they find new homes or is it just gone for good? 
I used to love visiting the Logan Square location all the time and it was always so welcoming. I remember browsing through their shelves with my friends back in 2023 when we were studying for exams, they had such a great selection of textbooks and fiction books at affordable prices. Now it's like a piece of Chicago's literary history is being lost forever 
️. City Lit Books will have to fill some big shoes though, I hope they can keep the community spirit alive 
Only time will tell, I guess...
it doesn't make it any easier to see them go 
we need more community-driven spaces like that for our neighborhood 
i remember going to logan square when they first opened up in 2023 and just falling in love with the store 
but at least city lit books is taking over and bringing new life to the area 
. I'm sad that the pandemic took its toll on them. On the bright side, City Lit Books will be taking over 
, which is awesome! But can't we find ways to keep Open Books' spirit alive? Maybe they'll re-open in a new location or something 
I'm so sad 2 hear dat Open Books in Logan Sq is closin its doors 
...it was like, my fave place 2 grab some sick reads 
...but still, it's just not the same as havin an indie bookstore in our hood 
.
. I hope the community comes together to support City Lit Books and keep the literary scene thriving in Logan Square