General Info

Bookworks was established in Chicago in 1984 near Wrigley Field on the city's northside. After spending the first three years in a small storefront, the shop relocated across the intersection to 3444 N Clark Street. The owner, Bob Roschke, was joined by Ronda Pilon in the expansion and daily running of the business. This larger store dramatically increased the number and quality of the items for sale as well as the ability of the staff to offer friendly customer assistance.In addition to popular hardbacks and paperbacks, Bookworks offers out-of-print and rare books, recordings, and old paper items. Literary first editions, antiquarian titles, fine bindings, and hard to locate items are always part of the extensive stock. Also available are used and rare LP's and CD's with a selection especially strong in Jazz, Blues, and Classical music. Other unusual offerings include vintage paperbacks, antique photos and ephemera. While the general interests of the surrounding neighborhood are clearly represented, the shop has also become a destination for customers throughout the entire Chicago area and beyond.Bookworks also sells select new books. In addition to review copies of recent titles at half price or less, the shop attempts to keep every in print title of several Beat authors always in stock. These authors include Kerouac, Burroughs, and Bukowski and they are available at 10% off list prices.One of the primary goals of Bookworks is to offer books and recordings at affordable prices. It isn't uncommon to find that our prices in the shop or online are the lowest available. The owners and staff are continually integrating new arrivals when quality books become available. Reasonable prices and the constantly changing selection make it worthwhile to continue to check back regularly to see what's available.