Beloved Evanston independent bookstore Bookends & Beginnings, led by owner Nina Barrett, opened “Middles Used Books” on Wednesday at 1620 Orrington Ave., in what used to be CloseKnit. Barrett said the satellite store is a temporary project for now, but she believes the interest is there. “We’re piloting the concept to see if it has legs. I think since Market Fresh Books closed [in 2019], there’s been an unmet need. A lot of students shopped there, and people went there looking for bargains.” Check out what the first day looked like in the photos by Joerg Metzner below.
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Middles’ first customer Jennifer Fisher with her purchase. ![]()
Donut holes and apple cider welcomed customers in the afternoon to celebrate the store’s soft launch. Credit: Joerg Metzner ![]()
The store filled up quickly with curious customers. Credit: Joerg Metzner ![]()
Middles’s location in the old CloseKnit store, next to Stepping Out on Faith and two doors north of Bookends & Beginnings. Credit: Joerg Metzner ![]()
Jessica Fisher, Middles’ used book buyer, was busy ringing up purchases during the store’s busy first day. Credit: Joerg Metzner ![]()
Used coffee table books for sale. Credit: Joerg Metzner
Photos: Bookends & Beginnings opens Middles Used Books is from Evanston RoundTable, Evanston's most trusted source for unbiased, in-depth journalism.