L-Stop Musts: Secondhand Bookstore Edition

For Loyola students, the Red Line offers a railway of hidden literary treasures on the shelves of second-hand bookstores.

Argyle: Uncharted Books (5140 N. Western Ave.)  

Uncharted Books is just a few blocks from the Argyle Red Line stop and offers a curated selection of used books with a focus on contemporary fiction, philosophy and art. 

The bookstore is located in the Andersonville neighborhood and doubles as a community space for book clubs, author events and creative writing workshops. The friendly atmosphere is packed with books and attractively-lined stationery.  

The store’s resident husky Ramona, which acts like a bodega cat, adds an extra layer of charm by greeting visitors as they browse. 

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. except on Tuesdays, Uncharted Books offers a restful stop for students seeking a quiet space to read, participate in a creative event or hang out with a fluffy friend.

Lake: Open Books (651 W. Lake St.)

Located just a few blocks from the Lake Red Line station, Open Books is more than a second-hand bookstore — it’s a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting literacy. 

The revenue generated from book sales directly funds literacy programs for elementary and secondary students across the city.

Open Books concentrates on affordable reading material and community initiatives. Students can donate books or buy books at severely discounted prices. 

The store also stocks rare finds such as Roman and Greek classic works such as Antigone by Sophocles, making it a destination for both casual readers and serious collectors.

Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Open Books provides students with a chance to step outside the college bubble and engage with Chicago’s literary community.

Belmont: Unabridged Bookstore (3251 N. Broadway)

Stacked near the Belmont Red Line station, Unabridged Bookstore has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s literary scene for 42 years. Structured in a vintage like, apartment-style layout, its extensive collection of both new and second-hand books makes it a destination for students.

Unabridged Bookstore emphasizes LGBTQ+  titles that may be harder to find in mainstream bookstores. With a diverse selection of banned books, ranging from Toni Morrison to E.B. White, underrepresented voices are front and center.

Students can order online through the store’s website and either pick up their book in-store or have it shipped. Unabridged Bookstore also has multiple book club groups — one of them being a Reading Against Resistance book club, with November’s book being Transgender History by Susan Stryker.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Unabridged Bookstore offers a relaxed, inviting atmosphere and a rich selection of books, making it a congenial stop for anyone looking to discover new reads near Belmont.

Grand: after-words bookstore (23 E. Illinois St.)

Located near the Grand Red Line station, the after-words bookstore stands as one of the last independent bookstores in Chicago. The bookstore is a massive site with two floors stacking over 70,000 new and used books.

The store highlights local authors and works about Chicago’s history, art and architecture. 

after-words is a suitable place for students seeking affordable used books and latest releases. The store has special-ordered books, including hard-to-find or out-of-print titles such as first editions of classical literature. 

With a welcoming atmosphere and historical resemblance, it’s a convenient stop for students to pick up books for classes or explore a vast literary collection reflecting Chicago’s diverse history.

Open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., after-words hosts events such as book signings and readings, making it a dynamic part of Chicago’s literary community and a place for students to engage with local authors and fellow readers.

Loyola: Heirloom Books (6239 N. Clark St.)

Heirloom Books isn’t just a bookstore — it’s run by a neighborly spirit. The volunteer-run establishment overflows with warmth as it carries on the legacy of its late founder, Chelsea Carr Rectanus. 

Each floor is a mini library housing decades of literary pieces. Two stories have shelves lined with popular paperbacks, textbooks, rare signed editions and antique books. 

The bookstore provides students with a mix of accessible, affordable textbooks and collectible pieces. Acting as a nonprofit, Heirloom donates its proceeds to local scholarships and initiatives. 

Open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Heirloom is a warm, eclectic community where every shelf utters a story. 

Editor’s Note: Heirloom Books is a frequent advertiser with The Loyola Phoenix.