Quimby's Bookstore

The one store that I can not leave empty hand. Always something that I've never seen before. Books on Russian prison tattoos, obscure music publications.
Highly recommended

This looks like any other bookstore, but you won't find much mainstream stuff inside. It has eclectic comic books and magazines, local publications, and all kinds of works from independent publishing houses. A great place to browse, you'll always find something surprising or intriguing. It is kind of a mess inside, but that is just part of the experience of exploring. Helpful and laid back staff. If you're looking for something more interesting than the local chain bookstore, check this place out. There are numerous shops and restaurants nearby this undervisited part of Chicago.

Absolutely the best place to go if you want to find books, comics, and magazines you previously had no idea existed. It's like the indy/mini racks at Chicago Comics led a mutiny and took over the store. Whole swaths of the store are devoted to local artists, and they only carry the good stuff from major publishers. If you walk in and grab something at random off the shelves, you have a 90% chance of it being eminently worth reading.

if you are looking for rare or indie zines and books quimby's is the best place in chicago to find them. i can spend hours here reading all the zines they have, in particular music zines you won't find at regular book stores. they also have tons of art and photography books, some of which are rather graphic so i wouldn't bring your kids here. this store is very left wing and expect to see a fair amount of propoganda on the shelves that you will have to weed through. prices on the books aren't bad but don't expect to find any deals like you will at borders. the store is located a few blocks from another great book store myopic so be sure to check that out too if you're in the area.

Quimbys is just awesome. They have local zines and comicsbut not much mainstream stuff. Its chockfull of the weirdest little articles and rantings. UFO conspiracies are peanuts to some of the writings here. There is no way that would find this stuff anywhere else. The place is addictive. I just cant stop going in. Wonderful store.

Need to get your hands on that new graphic novel or indy zine? Quimby's is your place. Located in Wicker Park, steps from the Blue Line EL, this Chicago landmark is the spot to find books, zines, comics, anything that is not mainstream. It has a fun, laid back atmosphere, which speaks to the somewhat chaotic shelving system. If you go, plan to be searching for a while. Their selection can be overwhelming.

This store is great! It has a very friendly staff as well as a large selection of interesting books and graphic novels as well as delectible pieces of art. This is a great store for the creative reader. I like the selection and the helpfulness of finding something new and different. They have a good website as well as allow local people to sell through the store on a comission base.

Well, this book store is a bit different, that's for sure. I get tired of shopping at the big chain stores all the time, so it's nice to duck into small stores once in a while. This place has lots of books from small publishers. You aren't going to find Grisham in here!

Lots of books from small publishers that you might not be able to find at the big stores. Also has racks and racks of 'Zines, and will sell yours on consignment. This sister store to Chicago Comics also carries several independent titles.

PROS: Good selection of unusual books
CONS: Doesn't carry much "mainstream" at all