Barbara's Bookstore

158 reviews

201 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611

barbarasbookstore.com

+13129262665

About

Barbara's Bookstore is a Book store located at 201 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611. It has received 158 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday10AM-6PM
Tuesday10AM-6PM
Wednesday7AM-7PM
Thursday7AM-7PM
Friday7AM-7PM
Saturday7AM-7PM
Sunday7AM-7PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Barbara's Bookstore: 201 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611

  • Barbara's Bookstore has 4.3 stars from 158 reviews

  • Book store

  • "Know books"

    "Does Rebecca understand she works at a bookstore IN A HOSPITAL?! Today I visited the bookstore with one of my residents whom was interested in buying a book and a female worker there with glasses and messy hair told my resident that she needed her to “leave as soon as possible because she’s driving me crazy”"

    "My son had heart surgery in late November of 2018 at Lurie's"

    "What an amazing bookstore - what a gem! We were visiting from out of town, and were lucky enough to talk to the bookseller (Clay) there for at least 30 minutes about great bookstores in the area, as well as books! This is such a gem - an amazing, curated, selection full of best-sellers and unique finds"

    "The best bookstore that’s hidden in Ohare and Northwestern Hospital"

Reviews

  • lindsay Freireich

Know books. I worked a Borders in Texas and brwse giant box barnes and noble. Have a genre and know how and what to read from reviews non or fiction art music, any chicago history or authors in 3 steps in gaulter. No it is not mailed Amazon monster or prime maze of pricing. Love something new in your hands A small vendor stuffed with loving things lost to youth and online monsters. I love paper, watched all books to 90 percent off closed a door on greatness right on state and randolph for what a target stolen again retail junk... Bums trash dirty at borders coffee seattle best early gone no macys no beautiful no dirty argo tea stop. The new theatre trashed to slobs broken town once pristine is overtsken southside is all bums crime clueless, but at every barbaras a breath of fresh air sophisticated quiet and books clearly clean reccomends and tiny at all for well read bookphiles not grabbers or ignorant youth do starbucks. 5 stars to my favorite chain of bullet points on saavy guests. Who dont complain and need spoon fed basement hurry. Go in mind your self and pay happy. Simply only for all in the know ahead of a pop in. Bored or in Macys google? Turn off the phone and read anything standing still and be happy not to be on 3rd survived cancer but too ignorant to see your self and a mirror with days into years. Love life now complainers. Waste of my time. It is already over.

  • Angelo Padilla

Does Rebecca understand she works at a bookstore IN A HOSPITAL?! Today I visited the bookstore with one of my residents whom was interested in buying a book and a female worker there with glasses and messy hair told my resident that she needed her to “leave as soon as possible because she’s driving me crazy”. gave me some crazy eyes and said much more but got completely distracted by how uncomfortable she made me feel. ( EDIT: FOUND OUT HER NAME IS REBECCA) I’m not a bookstore type of person but man, I never thought it was possible to leave a bookstore so disappointed. What’s sad is that my resident frequently comes here to buy books. Never again. **On the other hand there was a great gentleman there that is 100% a wonderful man he tried his best to treat my resident with just pure kindness. I can’t believe how you deal with those owners! You should personally run that store alone!! Hats off to him!** To the owner (I’m assuming is Rebecca because I’ve never got down talked by a store employee) I wish I never see you again. Left Northwestern Hospital with just pure disgust and anger, after seeing some old reviews it looks like this isn’t a first! Be careful because I was very close to putting her in her place.

  • Melissa Pagan

My son had heart surgery in late November of 2018 at Lurie's. While I was waiting and thinking of every possible scenario, as parents do, I tried to distract myself at this bookstore. The two older women there were very rude to my friend and I. I picked up a kid's book, thinking my son might like it while he was recovering. The one lady snatched it out of my hand and shouts at me, "You can't open that!". I was literally just looking at the back cover. And since when can you not open a book at a bookstore??? Isn't that the point. I'm not a child and I understand to open it with caution and care. Then the other lady shouted at my friend to "move" so she could ring up a customer, even though my friend was also looking at something on the displays around the cashwrap. Needless to say I didn't buy a single damn thing. I will never return to this store and I hope those two old ladies end up in the worst retirement home/ nursing home possible. You reap what you sow, and they were horrible to me during a difficult time.

  • Shannon Boley

What an amazing bookstore - what a gem! We were visiting from out of town, and were lucky enough to talk to the bookseller (Clay) there for at least 30 minutes about great bookstores in the area, as well as books! This is such a gem - an amazing, curated, selection full of best-sellers and unique finds. I wanted to buy so many books in this bookstore. So well organized and curated so that there was so much to see, but not overwhelming. What an experience - go!

  • terri garvin

The best bookstore that’s hidden in Ohare and Northwestern Hospital. Don’t know if they actually have a brick and mortar. I’m sure owner has visited Politics and Prose in DC. It would be great to have something similar on the Northside of the city. Even a shared space with a restaurant similar to Bus Boys and Poets. It’s odd having to go into a completely unrelated business to find a decent bookstore on that doesn’t require me to track to SS.

  • John Hernandez

awesome bargain books selection! I saw quite a few more recent novels in the pile, and some other ones I would probably give a try for a few bucks. Also, the gifts section is nice -- a little bit on the pricey side, but always fun to look through. While I like the Barnes & Noble and Borders stores for their (often large) selections, I definitely enjoy thriving independent book stores for their unique collections.

  • Marian Thomascena

I'd like to keep this place going, seeing as all the bookstores seem to be folding. I love coming here and browsing through the self-published books, cards, and novellas. And on top of that, they still have a smart selection of all the 'mainstream' stuff, every magazine you could want, and fun little gifts.

  • Matt Bowen

Wonderful like bookstore to look through if you are waiting on food or waiting to see someone in the hospital. Staff was excellent and made some very nice recommendations. It is not a very big bookstore so selection is limited but every book I picked up I wanted to buy.

  • Corinne White

I walked quite a ways to get to this bookstore. It said open on Google. I arrived at 11a on a Saturday (it was supposed to open at 10) and it was closed with a sign that they would be opening “late.” So frustrating. At the very least, post what time you’ll be opening.

  • Helen de Andrade

I love the environment there, and the fact that they have handwritten recommendations for some books. Their recommendations are really spot on. I always find an interesting book to purchase there. They also have some little things like notebooks and such.

  • Tommy Mac

Nice little place. It's a good place to grab a quick read if you're at Northwestern Hospital for some reason. Staff is super friendly. Selection leaves a bit to be desired, but they are making the most of the small space they have.

  • Cortney Ayers

This little bookstore is inside of a hospital campus - but immediately inside so totally fine to stop in. You will need a mask but they have them available at the main entrance. The staff was so helpful and friendly.

  • Christine Fiene

A small quaint bookstore with a better mix of a variety of books, magazines and gifts for all ages. Employees hand write reviews and they are posted on shelves for that category. Sweet.

  • Pim Halka

Lucas is WONDERFUL. He was kind, helpful, and professional. More than that he was empathetic and shared from his own experience as I was seeking out materials on a stigmatized topic.

  • Debra Mehr

Always pleasant. Lots of books with wide variety. Children section is packed with books. It takes time to pull them out to see what titles they are and age appropriate.

  • Alessandra Corona

Great service. I was looking for a certain genre of book and the associate gave me options that I ended up loving. Thank you!

  • Chelsea Parker

Nice little new book store in the hospital lobby. Feels like an airport gift shop.

  • Violet Mendiola

Great spot to pick up a quick read when you're in a rush.

  • Sartoria Vanni

Great spot for kid’s books! Staff was kind and helpful!

  • Rachel S

Small, but workers are kind and helpful!

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