57th Street Books — Local services in Hyde Park Township

I went to this bookstore today to introduce myself as the banker from a local bank as well as I was interested in buying books. When I went into the store I noticed that there were two employees there. I asked about the black history collection they have in the window. I was told to go to the back and when I went I found three books I liked and walked back to the front to purchase the books when I noticed that the police was called on me. I was introducing myself to the the clerk when I looked out the window and noticed that the woman who was sitting at the register when I came in pointing at me from the window. I wasn't in the store for ten minutes. I know that the police was called on me because of the color of my skin. I was very nice and very much excited to come back for more. These students should be taught about profiling people because of skin color. No one should experience what I just experienced today! I am not the only person that would be coming in and no one should have the police called on them for being interested in books. This experience was very traumatic for me. I was panicking in my head and very scared to move because I felt like any wrong movement could've cost me my life. The officer made me feel very uncomfortable too! Although he didn't approach me he made his presence known. I had the worse...

This is probably my favorite bookstore in Hyde Park. The collection is large and varied and the staff are very well informed about all of it. I also like the structure, with cosy rooms and reading corners tucked away in places. The children's section is great -- on my numerous hunts for books for kids of different ages and preferences, it has never let me down. I always enjoy watching families come in. It's wonderful to see parents and children discover new books and read out to each other.

I also love the staff recommendations posted throughout the store on the shelves. I've taken one or two and they have been great decisions! In general, a visit to this store has never been just a way to get new books (although that in itself is awesome enough), but also a good way to have a conversation about books and to feel that you're in good company -- that of people who genuinely...

If you want a place that has employees that aren't just working for a paycheck and trying to up sell you every time you're there, but just love & know books. This is it.

Not to mention it's got the cool underground super secret spot feel to it.

They don't have. They'll get it.

Books you didn't know you wanted to read. They'll find it for you.

Cool events. Check.

Places the president of the United States would go to. He has.

Ability to buy a book, walk a block and find a cool place to eat & read and not feel like some wanna be hipster. Yep that too.

Basically all around awesome-sauce as far as book stores go.

I gladly buy my tomes here instead of the big boxes or Amazon. The world would be a worse place without this store & of course; it would...