Tucked into Hyde Park near the University of Chicago, Powell’s Books Chicago is a longtime independent bookstore known for its selection of used, rare, discounted, and out-of-print books. The store has served Chicago readers since 1970, and its shelves cover a broad range of subjects. For students, researchers, collectors, and any reader, Powell’s definitely offers an experience different from other large chain bookstores.
Powell’s began with Michael Powell, who was a graduate student at the University of Chicago. He saw a need for a bookstore that could serve Hyde Park’s intellectual and academic community. The neighborhood was already home to the major research university, faculty members, students, writers, and readers with interests that extend beyond popular bestsellers. Powell had experience running a student bookstore on campus, and in 1970 he established his own shop to provide a wider selection of scholarly and used books. Several University of Chicago scholars helped support the idea financially. Powell borrowed $3,000 to take over a lease. The store proved successful early on, and he was able to repay the loan within two months.
Powell’s opened during a rich period in Hyde Park’s bookstore history. One of the neighborhood’s predecessors was O’Gara and Wilson Antiquarian Bookseller, which traced its origins back to 1882. It was known for its specialized inventory and atmosphere; the shop operated in Hyde Park for more than a century before closing in 2013. Another bookstore, the Seminary Co-op, began in 1961 in the basement of the Chicago Theological Seminary. It developed a reputation for its extensive academic collection and cooperative ownership model. These businesses served different readers, but together they show how Hyde Park was beginning to develop a culture of independent bookselling.
The history of Powell’s also connects to another famous independent bookstore. Micahe’s father, Walter Powell, visited the Chicago shop and took care of it while his son was away. Walter then returned to his home in Portland, Oregon, and opened his own store in 1971. Michael then joined his father in Portland, where their business developed into the enormous Powell’s City of Books. The Chicago store, while expanded, still remained rooted in Hyde Park and continued operating independently.
As decades passed, Powell’s became part of a changing retail landscape. Independent bookstores faced increasing competition from national chains, discount retail, and eventually online sellers. Amazon began as an online bookseller in 1995, making it possible for customers to shop conveniently at home. For used-book stores, this created challenges and opportunities. The experience of browsing in person and coming upon unexpected titles became important to what distinguished independent bookstores from online shopping. Hyde Park’s booksellers had to adapt to these changes while maintaining all the specialized collections that drew their audience to them.
Over the years, Powell’s had expanded beyond its original Hyde Park location. The business operated additional Chicago-area stores, including a location on North Lincoln Avenue and another in University Village. Unfortunately, those locations eventually closed, leaving Hyde Park the only store left for Powell’s Chicago identity. It has been present at the same address since 1970.
Today Powell’s Books Chicago describes itself as the Chicago area’s largest independent dealer in quality used, bargain, antiquarian, and out-of-print books. For the University of Chicago community, it remains a resource for finding scholarly work. For other visitors, it offers the pleasure of browsing a large collection without knowing what they might find. Its history is part of a larger story about the importance of independent bookstores, and their mission in preserving ideas, local communities, and keeping reading and curiosity alive.
Author Review:
Powell’s Books has a special place in my memories because my mom took me there when I was younger. I remember visiting the store after touring the University of Chicago, and we ended up reading a particular book that we had picked there. That memory has stayed with me because the bookstore became a part of the experience of exploring Hyde Park with my mom. I love how connected Powell’s feels to the surrounding community. For DePaul students, getting there from the Lincoln Park Campus takes approximately 35-50 minutes by public transportation. So it is a bit of a trip, but it is worth discovering the neighborhood. I think it is worth visiting, especially if you enjoy browsing for books or are looking for academic resources beyond what you might find in a typical bookstore. There are a lot of discounted book options, so it makes for an affordable trip as well. Powell’s is perfect for every kind of reader.
About the Author
Hello, my name is Simone Graczyk and I am originally from Denver, Colorado. I am currently pursuing a BA in Music with a concentration in Flute. I love going to concerts, reading, and traveling!
Leave a Reply