Bookman's Alley

On my recent trip to the Midwest, while lamenting the closed sign at Woodland Pattern bookstore in Milwaukee, I was told about Bookman's Alley. Nestled in an, obviously, alley in picturesque Evanston, Illinois, this bookstore exudes charm, mildew (the best kind - the old book kind), and chummy owner. Not only did the shop have books, and plenty of them, and of all kinds of vintages, but the meandering rooms housed many old-school accoutrements. Like what, you ask? Old school swimming costume, a wooden goose with a flannel scarf, a worn leather saddle, and scores of old black and white photos.

I ended up taking home Wallace Stegner's Recapitulation and a funny little tome called What's the Matter with New York from 1932. The subtitle reads "A National Problem." Ha!

This shop is, sadly, closing soon. Oh, Bookman's Alley, I only visited once, but I will never forget you!

I will say nothing more, so as to allow you to wander the rooms vicariously through the below photos.