Independent Bookstores on the North Side of Chicago

I was in Chicago this past weekend and took the opportunity to visit three indie bookstores which I hadn't visited on the last day of my Lake Trek. These stores are located on the north side of Chicago. Women & Children First and The Bookworks are located on North Clark Street, and Unabridged Bookstore is on North Broadway. Check out the links to these stores' websites in the sidebar.

I picked up The Plan of Chicago by Carl Smith at Unabridged Bookstore. This book (subtitled Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City) chronicles how Burnham's brilliant plan for the city of Chicago came about. Last year was the 100 year anniversary of the Plan. Burnham certainly had a vision for Chicago and the first key recommendation
for Chicago was:
"The Improvement of the Lakefront, notably the building of a shoreline parkway and the development of Grant Park..."

Smith notes in the book that "...the Plan evokes a sense of wonder when it speaks of the importance of the lake as Chicago's leading natural asset and the need for the city to take far greater advantage of its splendid presence."

Modern Chicago has a wonderful relationship with Lake Michigan.

Thank you Daniel Burnham.

While walking between these three indie bookstores, I came across a delightful indie CUPCAKE STORE, Phoebe's Cupcakes on Broadway. I had heard about this store from my brother who went to school with the owner. The salted caramel cupcake is in the photo below (and, yes, it's missing a couple of bites--I couldn't wait). Probably the best cupcake I've ever had and a delightful snack on a cold day.