Chicago · 27 places · 9 districts
Bookstores and Record Shops in Chicago.
All 27 bookstores and record shops we cover in Chicago, from Wicker Park & Bucktown, Hyde Park and Pilsen, on one map with addresses, hours and directions.
All 27
Bookstores and Record Shops, district by district.
Tap a place or a dot to see it.
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The chain's biggest Chicago store, opened August 2026 in the former Old Navy space at State and Randolph, with up to 30,000 sq ft of books, music and gifts on three floors.
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Loop branch of the local record-store chain that also runs Wicker Park and Lakeview shops, stocking current releases, indie titles and rare finds. Listed as newly open on Wabash.
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West Loop branch of Open Books, which also runs shops in Logan Square and Pilsen. Listed among the city's best bookstores in 2026; hours vary, so check the website before going.
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Large used bookstore spread over three floors near the six-corner intersection, with deep fiction, poetry and art stacks. Open late every day, which makes it an easy evening stop.
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Independent bookstore for zines, small-press comics, underground literature and offbeat magazines. Located on North Ave at Wolcott, three blocks east of Damen.
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Bookstore inside the former Noel State Bank building at the six corners, with toys and games and a vinyl section. Hosts author signings, readings and children's storytimes.
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Large, well-organized record store on the south end of the Milwaukee strip with new and used vinyl across genres. A regular Record Store Day participant with in-store events.
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Record store for new and used jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop, Brazilian and Latin LPs, CDs and 45s. On Ashland at Haddon, one block south of Division; also buys collections by appointment.
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Small storefront at the south end of the Milwaukee Ave strip, listed among Chicago's best independent bookshops in 2026. Keeps limited Wednesday–Sunday afternoon hours.
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New and used vinyl, CDs and DVDs at the Wicker Park branch of a Chicago chain dating to 1988; staff buy used music every day until an hour before closing.
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Small community bookstore with fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, children's books and a section on Chicago history and architecture. Also runs book clubs.
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Employee-owned new and used bookstore that reopened in February 2026 in a bigger space, with an expanded Spanish-language section, local authors and an event room.
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Record shop across from Thalia Hall focused on new and used vinyl from small international and local labels, with turntables and record supplies and occasional in-store DJ sets.
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Nonprofit used bookstore a block south of 18th St where all children's books are free every day and adult titles are pay-what-you-want; proceeds fund literacy work.
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Feminist bookstore in the middle of the Clark Street strip that focuses on underrepresented voices and hosts weekly children's readings and evening author programs.
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Comic shop open since 2011 with new comics, trades, graphic novels and manga, a kids' corner and some back issues. It also runs Magic: The Gathering and board-game nights.
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Record shop at the north end of the strip selling new and used LPs, 45s, CDs and cassettes, mostly rock, blues and jazz, plus music books, posters and vintage barware.
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Independent bookstore with a cafe serving coffee, sandwiches, pastries, wine and beer, and a regular schedule of author readings and book events.
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Neighborhood record store on the 4600 block of Lincoln Avenue, near Midwest Nice; it took part in the chamber's December 2025 Shop Late evenings with free tote bags.
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Flagship of the Seminary Co-op Bookstores on Woodlawn Ave in the University of Chicago area; open weekdays and Saturdays, closed Sundays and on major holidays.
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Sister store of the Seminary Co-op on E 57th St, near Powell's and 57th Street Wines; it's open both weekend days (10am–5pm) and closed Mondays.
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Used and secondhand bookstore on 57th Street a few blocks from the University of Chicago, listed in the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce retail directory.
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Comic shop on 55th Street, two blocks south of the 53rd Street strip, listed in the Hyde Park Chamber's retail directory; a stop for new issues and graphic novels.
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Vinyl and CDs on 53rd Street, strongest in old school, soul, jazz, reggae and rock; worth a dig between stops on the 53rd Street strip.
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Black woman-owned bookstore focused on books by Black, brown and Indigenous authors, opened in spring 2024; it also hosts a small concert series.
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Roughly 18,000-square-foot store opened March 2026 in the former Treasure Island Foods space, with books, toys, games, magazines and a cafe.
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Bookstore that returned to Old Orchard after the previous location closed in 2021, and is listed in the center's current directory.
Nothing in that category here.
Good to know
Questions, answered.
Where is the best area for bookstores and record shops in Chicago?
Wicker Park & Bucktown has the most, with 7, followed by Hyde Park (7) and Pilsen (3). Each district page has the full store list with hours and directions.
How many bookstores and record shops does this guide cover?
27, across 9 districts. Every listing has its address and hours and links to the store's own site.
Are these listings kept up to date?
Yes. Every store is re-checked against its own site, brand locator or mall directory at least every six months, and closed stores come off the list.
Read more
Guides that name these shops.
Wicker Park Records and Books Walk
A day up Milwaukee Avenue from Dusty Groove to the six corners: where to buy and sell records, zines and used books, the resale row by the Damen Blue Line, and the car-free Sunday on Oct 25.
Read guide →
The Andersonville Indie Shopping Walk
One slow afternoon up N Clark Street from Foster to Bryn Mawr: the Swedish American Museum, glögg at a 1934 tavern, Chicago-made jeans and T-shirts, a feminist bookstore, a market of 200-plus local makers, records, toys and cardamom buns.
Read guide →
Pilsen's 18th Street, Block by Block
An unhurried walk east along 18th Street, from the free National Museum of Mexican Art and its Día de Muertos show past tray-and-tongs panaderías, vintage, vinyl, Chicago's top-ranked bookstore and carnitas counters.
Read guide →Keep shopping
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