Open Books Pilsen

Omg this is a must visit for anyone, but especially Chicago residents!! It's a huge warehouse with a large selection of books to choose from AND it's pay-what-you-can! Also children's books are free, you just need to tell them how many you're taking! The staff was super friendly and the store is laid out so you can easily peruse. Would definitely recommend for teachers looking for an inexpensive way to fill your classroom with books! Support your local bookstores, but especially this one!! (Will admit the door to enter is a bit sketchy from the outside, but other than that I loved it!)

I traveled a total of 4 hours to get there ,because I wanted so badly to have a normal day. I nervously shopped around for books ,because i know I had limited funds, but when i got to the register ....I paid what I had. It left me with enough to make it to the other side of town. Unhoused people enjoy reading ,and enjoy shopping like human beings. I cut my finger real bad on the door when leaving out ,it had something sticking out on it.It cut my middle finger ,where it was bleeding pretty profusely (i'd say check the metal hardware on it.

Amazing shop. Still blown away by the great price and quality of their books. Cheaper than any other online store and in better condition. Very good = mint

My absolute favourite book store when I'm in the Chicago area. Free kids books, and pay-what-you-can for everything else. They had some toys and a small train table for kids to play with at one point, but didn't see it again the next time we went. There's also a bathroom and a couple parking spots nearby. Overall, love that they give back to the community (especially for kids books) and the volunteers have always been very nice. Awesome place!

I love open books, we've been coming for 8 years+ to donate and also pick up some books for kids. The kids section seem to dwindle a lot though now that Open Books has multiple locations to supply books to. Kids book section at pilsen location is kind of bare now and most of the titles are older and I don't see those popular titles like I used to.

Super cool spot. Upon arriving, I had no clue where the entrance was. It was only when people came out of the building that I realized that was the entrance. Once inside, I was left in awe of the magnitude of the place. A huge old warehouse transformed into a book "store"? Absolutely amazing. REMEMBER, you put the price in the books, not the other way around. When I was here, the cashier tried to give me a price when it shouldn't be like that. Don't feel intimidated and pay whatever you think is fair. There’s also a Spanish section right by the entrance.

As others have said: all kids books are free. The other books have a suggested price, but it’s a pay what you can model. Great selection, well organized and really good music! There was plenty of free street parking.