Quimby’s Bookstore

The selection here is extensive and various, the vibe is totally laid back, I love it here. Culturally this is truly one of the greats this city has to offer. Keep it up my dudes.

As many others before me have discovered, this place is awesome. The staff banter really made me smile – it’s like the zine/​bookstore version of Empire Records! I was more than happy to give them my (small amount of) money. I lost track of time so I’m not sure how long I spent in there, but it’s a treasure trove that no mortal can explore fully in one visit.

Quimby’s is my favorite local bookstore for myriad reasons. Are prices cheaper on Amazon? Maybe. However, what a website cannot do is curate something for you. Seriously. Look at your Netflix feed. It probably reads «Sci-​Fi television shows with a strong female lead» next to something with Robyn Williams in it. Just because I watch Buffy does not mean I can handle a recent RW flick, Netflix. Anyway, over the years Quimby’s has helped me discover many authors – from music criticism, zines, graphic novels, to «literature” – just by browsing their bookstore and taking up the staff on their recommendations. Can a website do that for you? Thought not. Support your local bookstore and find something new at Quimby’s.

Great spot: fun vibes, super collection of zines, and friendly staff. Would definitely check it out if you are in the area!

I dont know why people say they dont sell books. Take 15 steps inside and its bookselves filled with books. They also have zines and independent publishings, this place is great when youre looking for a new great read and to look into some culture or find novelty items. If youre looking for a specific book I would say call ahead, or go to barnes and noble. The have an arrangement from graphic novels to books to zines to even games.

I cannot say enough good things about this place and it isn’t just me; I’ve taken so many people there and they agree. The vibe is unique, quiet, and young at heart.
The staff is friendly and knowledgable. There’s a wide selection of indie magazines, local (Chicago) literature, zines of all sorts, comics, and books. One of my friends recently found a couple music books there that she hadn’t been able to find anywhere else so yes, the selection is top-​notch. They have special sales too; currently there’s a giant poster sale that I’ve grabbed a couple rad pieces from. The checkout area is crowded in the best way. Pins, grab bags, bookmarks, patches, and event posters abound. There is a photo booth toward the back of the store.
This is one of my favorite places in all of Chicago. Each visit has me gushing.

This place is just plain cool.
We walked here after browsing Myopic Books, to be pleasantly surprised when we opened the door at Quimby’s. It’s an entirely different ballgame altogether. My friends were a little miffed: «What are zines? Why are there weird statues of naked aliens? Are those actually aliens?»
I, however, think this was far better. How many great voices and radical opinions and outrageous conversation starters are in those stacks and racks of zines? Answer: infinity.
If you’re looking to purchase mainstream stuff, don’t come here. If you’re looking for a legitimate, thought-​provoking adventure, saunter in.
Two more things:
1. Staff was not judgmental of us not buying anything.
2. The photo booth is a nice touch. Not gonna lie, this appeased my weirded-​out friends.

I would be immediately suspicious of a person if I found out they would give Quimby’s anything less than 5 stars.
I mean, this place is fulfilling.
It has a selection of local zines, in great variety. And their indie magazine stock – WOAH. I usually walk out with a new one when I already have two in my backpack from the last time I stopped by.
The owner and other folk behind the counter are always friendly, and are not gawking at you peruse through the store.

I’m not entirely sure why this place gets such great reviews under the guise of a bookstore when, in fact, they don’t sell books. However, my ‘minimum’ definition of a bookstore is an array of classic and modern literature, which serves the purpose to enlighten a reader and the community. Some offense.
On the other hand, this place sells random, quirky, and «too-​cool-​for-​mainstream» stuff. It’s basically a haven for the queer-​punk/​hipster scene, which makes sense, given the surrounding demographics. I wouldn’t recommend this store if you didn’t fit the demographic, but if you wanted to see really random independent works, then this your place. This place should be called a zinestore.

Quimby’s is a very exlectic little bookstore. They sell a bunch of zines, comics, books and other weird little odds and ends. What I like most about Quimby’s, however, is that they feature a lot of Chicago artists and authors. They make sure to point out if an author is from Chicago and it’s great if you’re looking to get a little indight into the city from a different point of view.

Cool bookstore with a wide variety of Gender and Women’s text. I haven’t been to too many bookstores, but this one has a nice ambiance. I bought a book and the cashier gave me a neat little bookmark. They also have zines, and comics if you’re into reading material other than books. Overall, cool bookstore that I would return to.

Lots of great stuff, that’s harder to come by than your normal merchandise. I found a ‘zine that I never thought I’d find anywhere other than online, and bought the whole series. This place is awesome.

The «Je Suis Charlie» Charlie Hebdo magazines are only $ 9.99. Still some copies available!
Had to purchase and exit as quickly as possible as this magazine is somewhat taboo. My buddy in California will get one, I’ll get the other copy.
eBay has the same issue of Charlie Hebdo for anywhere between $ 15-​$ 100.
Quimby’s rules! Thanks for putting Charlie Hebdo in the display window or I would have missed this extraordinary deal altogether.

When I’m forced to browse in Myopic after they shut down, I always secretly wish Quimby’s was still open at that later hour. Since I finally revisited here twice within the last few weeks, and was reminded how much I love this store, and that often the things I read here end up being more interesting vs. Myopic. Not that there’s anything wrong w/​the latter, since I’ve still found interesting things to read inside Myopic.
Nice small selection of magazines (not as wide as Barnes and Noble, but big kudos for them having 2600), books, local books you won’t find at other indie bookstores in town, goofy and weird toys and other things like that (not the filler non-​book promotional things you’ll see at B&N), and more. I’m 99.9% sure this is the only bookstore I’ve ever seen, with a photobooth inside. Plus even some props just outside the photobooth, that you interestingly can use in those shots!
With the trend towards more and more chains and sterile stores near The Crotch (the original nickname for the North/​Milwaukee/​Damen intersection, and it’ll always be that to me), I’m glad places like Quimby’s keep going strong.

I end up coming here multiple times whenever I am in Chicago. Quimby’s is that rare independent bookstore filled with strange items for those of us outside the mainstream. Do you want a book by John Waters about people in his life who he’s admired? How about Julia Serano’s recent transfeminist piece? Art books filled with body modification photos? Do it yourself guides or vegan cookbooks? They have all of this and more, and their zine section is second to none. Staff are friendly and helpful and everything is laid out well. Quimby’s is a reason to move to Chicago, or at least to visit frequently though they will happily sell you stuff by mail.

Quimby’s is my freaking favorite. I wish I lived in Chicago so I could pester them mercilessly until they gave me a job so I could be there all. the. time.
Quimby’s is not your usual bookstore. It’s not even your usual indie bookstore. It takes indie to a whole new level by offering tons of independently-​produced zines and comics, in addition to a fairly well-​curated fiction section (if you go in with a title in mind, be prepared for them maybe not to have it – it’s not a B&N) and a section with graphic novels.
Then, there are the magazines. They carry the good. stuff. Hi-​Fructose, Juxtapoz, Modern Farmer, Lucky Peach, and dozens of other mags that have fantastic content, but that you’d rarely (if ever) find on a mainstream magazine rack. If you love magazines, you need to stop in.
Love music magazines and books about music? They have those, too. Also greeting cards that I wanted to buy a zillion of, postcards, and just the right amount of extrabook content. Stuff you’d actually WANT to own.
My only wish is that they were a little more hardcore with their small press selection. I looked for several titles that I thought would fit in super-​well and that I expected them to carry, but they didn’t have them. They did, however, have a copy of «selected unpublished blog posts of a mexican panda express employee» by Megan Boyle, and I’ve been wanting that foreverrrrr so I snapped it up. I can’t even imagine finding that in any other bookstore.
Quimby’s, I heart you. Keep doing what you do.

For it’s small stature, I could spend an entire day at Quimby’s! There is just so much to look at from different types of genres and who doesn’t love an independent book store? Service is personable and great and you can’t beat the variety and uniqueness of it all. They have a little nook in the back with mark-​downs and there are even places to sit down if you were wanting to take a few minutes to sit down with a book or a ‘sine. I just can’t get over the variety – you can even find local artists and authors as well as the «mainstream» stuff. Not sure what to get into? The recommendation shelves are helpful and sure to tickle anyone’s fancy.

My experience with independent bookstores is very limited and admittedly, I am only familiar with the chains. So, this was pretty much my first trip to an indie independent bookstore.
This isn’t your traditional bookstore by any means. There were sections for smut books (basically porn), which were a little too out of the box for me. If that’s your thing, great, but it isn’t mine! I would not recommend any young children go into that section at all. Some of the things they see may shock them!
There are lots of zines, which are basically self-​published books by local authors. They aren’t hardcover books and are printed on paper and stapled. They reminded me of a time when I had to write books for English classes in grade school. The zines cover many different topics and interests from comics to poetry.
The shop is small, but there’s plenty to look at so I spent a lot of time browsing the selection. I ended up buying a handmade heart plushie made by Chris Uphues and a book on the feminist movement from 1792 to the present.
One small issue occurred at checkout. The heart plushie was marked $ 5, but the cashier told me that it really was $ 10 and that the stickers from the items keep falling off. The sticker looked pretty well placed to me, but I wasn’t really going to complain so I paid the extra $ 5. However, in other retail places I’ve worked at, I’ve given the customer the price marked on the item since we (the store) incorrectly marked it. But, it must be their store policy not to do that. Oh, and another gripe was that it can get HOT in there and there isn’t anywhere for you to really sit down to flip through a book.
Overall, it is an interesting concept for a bookstore, but it is not my taste so I am not anticipating a return trip any time soon.

I’m gonna be upfront, the low rating on this store is mostly because of the associate behind the counter that day. A lady walked into the store (that I didn’t know) and the associate was not very nice or accommodating to that customer which actually was quite repelling.
When I was later up by the register, again not so friendly with me personally.
There were some very interesting things in the store, and some cute knickknacks. I might be more inclined to return if the service was better. Not sure if I caught an off day, but it definitely made an impression.

Ever wonder why there are some people in Chicago who talk to themselves? They are probably possessed!
I found a strange book here at Quimby’s Bookstore (see picture). Totally weird! This place is rad though. They have unique and interesting DIY books, and bizarre graphic novels. The shop is small, but it is literally jammed to the roof with odd reading materials.