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    Bookends & Beginnings

    4.4 (73 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Services - Bookends & Beginnings

    Cards and stationery

    Bookends & Beginnings Photos

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    Reviews With Photos

    Sign pointing towards the alley!
    Kesha B.

    Bookends & Beginning is the hidden gem in the community! When people think of a bookstore they automatically think of Barnes and Noble and those other typical stores. However, this was much different! To start, there are two locations - the first is the stationary store that's on the Main Street. This store featured tons of great notebooks, cards, city themed games and items and more! However, the true home of the place is actually located at the alley behind it. When you walk towards the alley you'll see signs pointing towards the alley and it was super fun to walk a bit more and see the bookstore on the right side and a stunning art gallery on the left. Once you walk into the bookstore, you're greeted by the friendliest staff that are working the registers at the front. You'll often hear them recommending books for people as they come in and ask, along with their staff recommended sections. As you walk around, it feels like home. You get the sense of belonging and comfort. Towards the back of the store there is a small lounge area followed by the kids section which is of decent size as well! We took a look around and ended up finding a few books that catch our eyes and will add to our collection of books! We will be coming back soon to stock up on summer reads!

    Randa U.

    What an amazing place! This bookstore is all but little. Hidden in an alley, you walk into the narrow wonderland of new releases hardcover books. They have all the genres you need to help you quell your story magic, true or fiction. I was looking for a book that isn't sold everywhere and found it in the fiction section. I also found some great new releases, but had to contain myself and not spend all my money there. The staff is helpful and kind. We found some great non-fiction books and gift ideas for the holidays, too. It's an indie bookstore and has everything you need. If you can't find it, they'll order and ship it to you. You can also order online. I loved it here and can't wait to go back!

    Karen N.

    Stumbled upon this hidden gem in Evanston . This bookstore is located in a small alley and at first glance looks small, but extends alot further than I expect. It has a cozy, comfortable vibe and staff are so welcoming. They Has a large variety of books, many genres and informative notes posted on some books indicating staff picks. They have a decent selection of gift and stationary items. Spent more time than expected browsing the wide selection of books. Definitely support this independent bookstore.

    Avi L.

    Small but cozy bookstore tucked down an alley. Love all the great staff recommendations and the friendly staff eager to help you find the type of book you are looking for.

    New book shop replaced old book shop. Cute kids section. Great cooking section, used books and gifts!

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Such a cute book store! They have a great selection of books AND book related items like games too!

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    6 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    A great selection of used and new books! Staff is great and helpful. A big store so there's lots to choose from!

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Bets hidden gem in Evanston!!! I love coming here with my kiddo! They have the bets selection of books.

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    2 years ago

    Really charming bookstore with a lot of awesome books. I like their new location a lot and am excited to try the bar sometime!

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Bookends & Beginnings

    Do they buy vintage and antique books? If not does anyone have any suggestions where to go to sell them?

    Hi Jackie, thanks for your question. We take in gently used books through our sister-store Middles Used Books at 1630 Orrington Avenue. An appointment is needed, and we pay in store credit, not in cash. A full description of what we're looking for… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Bookends & Beginnings

    It's hard to find, because it's tucked away in an alleyway in downtown Evanston, but it was really neat.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Book Stall

    The Book Stall

    (39 reviews)

    $$

    I'm not sure if I'd heard of The Book Stall before. I learned that the children's author Sherri…read moreDuskey Rinker, who happens to live in the suburbs, is doing story time events at several suburban bookstores to celebrate the release of her newest book. My daughter is a big fan of her Construction Site and Steam Train Dream Train series, so I was excited to bring her here for the event. We got here a little too early--about five minutes before they opened, and 35 minutes before story time--but I wanted to make sure we got a spot! The area where they hold story time was really large for an independent bookstore. After the story was over, the author personalized her signed books for the kids. I'm glad we went to this event because in addition to it being fun, we picked up several books and one of them has so quickly become a new favorite of my daughter's that she already can recite pages from it three days later. The bookstore is nice, and larger than I was expecting to be honest. It was fun to wander, even whilst trying to keep an eye on a toddler. They have various events, story time, fundraisers, and so on. I think it has the potential to be kind of a madhouse for some of their bigger events... it seemed a little unorganized getting folks in line for this signing and they don't really have a lot of space for folks to queue up so some people were cutting in front of folks so it might be kind of messy when there's a big event happening. But still, worth a stop if you like bookstores! There's lots of parking around on the street and even a municipal lot.

    The Book Stall is a treasure. You can always find a great book from just browsing the shelves. If…read moreyou check their inventory on-line for a special book and it shows as being available, it will be! The author events are more than readings; they are intimate conversations. The Book Stall takes its role as an independent bookseller seriously and it does its job well. Writing this makes me want to visit again soon!

    Bookends & Beginnings - stationery - Updated May 2026

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