City: Chicago, IL

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (800) 777-1456, (773) 752-4381

Address: 5757 S. University Ave.

Description: There are bookworms and then there are the 17 students at the University of Chicago who decided to turn their love of reading into a business. In 1961, they each chipped in 10 bucks and founded a bookstore. Today, the Sem Co-op, located in the basement of the Chicago Theological Seminary adjacent to the campus, carries an acclaimed selection of academic volumes. It has also grown into a triple-threat triumph, with two other independent bookstores: The 57th Street Bookstore (1301 E. 57th St., 773-684-1300) prides itself on its stellar mystery and children’s sections (among many others). At the Newberry Library’s A.C. McClurg Bookstore (60 W. Walton St., 312-255-3520), set within the wonderful Newberry Library in the Gold Coast, the focus is on the history of Chicago, the Midwest, and Native American culture, and is also a trove of hard-to-find cards and gifts. Seminary and 57th Street open daily; Newberry location closed Sun and Mon.