150-year-old bookshop is the Illinois destination most worth a trip, survey says
A Naperville bookstore that prides itself on being independent and community-driven was recently named the most “devotion-worthy small business” in Illinois.
Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville — about four hours from Belleville — was named the most popular small business in Illinois people are willing to drive to reach. The report comes from financial services company Advanced Funds Network, which compiled the list by surveying more than 3,000 individuals.
“Since day one, back in 1875, we’ve ... made sure we are part of the community, giving back to the community, and I think that shows and that’s why we’ve lasted so long,” Ginny Wehrli-Hemmeter, the store’s events director, said in a Thursday interview.
The bookstore does that by donating to nonprofit organizations, as well as working with schools to ensure students have the books they need.
“That has always been a priority, which is pretty rare, you know. In 1875 it wasn’t necessarily the priority for a bookstore to be working with the schools, but for us, that was always a part of what we do,” Wehrli-Hemmeter said.
The shop, located at 123 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville, hosts more than 240 events per year. Recently, it hosted Shelby Van Pelt, author of Remarkably Bright Creatures. Coming up, the bookstore is hosting events with authors Abraham Verghese, Joe Abercrombie, B. Dylan Hollis and retired Women’s National Basketball Association star Candace Parker.
“That really never gets old, to watch someone connect with an author that they really love,” Wehrli-Hemmeter said.
The store is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year and is owned by a fifth-generation Anderson.
“We have persevered through the rise and fall of chain bookstores, persevered through Amazon,” Wehrli-Hemmeter said. “You know, when Amazon started selling books ... in the mid 90s, a lot of bookstores closed. We managed to to adapt and survive that.”
Even now, with a Barnes & Noble location just yards away, Wehrli-Hemmeter said the store still has its loyal customers.
“Our community has responded in just such supportive ways,” Wehrli-Hemmeter said. “We live here, we work here and we are dedicated to making sure that we remain here, hopefully for another 150 years.”
The bookshop is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s also a bookshop location in Downer’s Grove at 5112 Main St. That location is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
“We’ve always been supportive of finding a book for every person to see themselves in and also to understand the rest of the world around them,” Wehrli-Hemmeter said.
