Abalabix Books — Local services in Crystal Lake

Where shall I start? The unique & fun name? You can read about that. The best host ever? George? Followed ever so slightly by mom & storeowner Diane? We drove over an hour from Naperville (independent bookstore quest) and arrived minutes before closing. Diane couldn't have been more gracious. She spent time with us talking about George, the bookstore, and books. We just loved George (who doesn't). Diane went to the back and brought us a calendar starring George. The bookstore was bright and well-stocked with great titles. After visiting, 114 independent bookstores, Abalabix stands out as a favorite. The city is fortunate to have a terrific independent bookstore, especially such a welcoming and warm one. #never...

Happy we finally made it to Abalabix Books for the first time this week. We were promptly greeted by staff and "vetted" by George (friendly dog mascot)! This lively hometown, boutique- style bookstore is a fresh face in an Amazon-dominated world. A wide selection of books were neatly presented and grouped by genre. Owner Diane chatted with us as well, sharing her passion for books and her desire to be an integral part of downtown. I'd highly recommend a trip or TWO! Oh... and don't let the Williams Street address fool you. They're on the "back" side of the Brink Street Market kinda...

This is the bookstore Crystal Lake needed! Run by a Crystal Lake local and a huge book lover, Abalabix is sure to be worth the trip. There’s a great selection here and Diane (the owner) is super cool and very knowledgeable. I recommend getting to know her so you can get personalized recommendations from an avid reader!

Definitely make the stop and support a small business! If you’re from outside the area, you can also support Abalabix by purchasing through their bookshop.org page.

When you visit, give George a pat on the head for me (you’ll know him when...