A Chicago Tribune story
Times have been tough for Black-owned book stores. Right after the holiday season, Chicago institutions Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery and Da Book Joint both announced that they would be closing their locations.
But thanks to the efforts of their owners and community members who stepped in, the two businesses have been able to rebound.
Semicolon pivoted into a new space and Da Book Joint is staying the course, according to a Facebook post by Courtney Woods, co-owner of the Da Book Joint: “Somewhere in between the random acts of generosity, motivational speeches from current customers, and lots of prayer — we decided to keep fighting.”
Semicolon in West Town is known for its connection to the community since it opened in 2019. Early in the pandemic, it was hosting book giveaways for students to promote literacy in Chicagoland.
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