Semicolon Books, Black Woman-Owned Literary Haven, to Close Its Doors
A Legacy of Community and Literacy
Semicolon Books, a cherished Chicago institution and one of the city’s only Black woman-owned bookstores is closing its doors for good. Proprietress Danielle (Danni) Moore made the somber announcement Friday afternoon through the bookshop’s Instagram account.
Citing a slow holiday season as the main factor behind the decision, Moore explained, “The holidays did not do what we wanted them to do, and based on the amount of community work that we like to pour into the city and into the world in general, we are not sustainable as we should be.”
A Bold Step on the Magnificent Mile
The closure marks the end of a remarkable five-and-a-half-month run at its Magnificent Mile location, which will shutter after this weekend. The West Town location will remain open for a few more months, allowing customers to redeem gift cards and celebrate Independent Bookstore Day one last time on April 26, 2025.
Founded in 2019 by Moore, an art curator and literature enthusiast, Semicolon Books was created as a haven for readers, particularly those seeking stories by and about minority authors. During the pandemic, the bookstore doubled down on its mission with initiatives like the #ClearTheShelves program, which provided thousands of free books to Chicago Public Schools students.
- Distributed over 13,000 books to students free of charge.
- Donated books and funds to 27 organizations across Chicagoland.
- Built or curated libraries for 52 schools and organizations.
Looking Ahead
As Semicolon prepares to wind down operations, Moore is focused on closing this chapter with the same spirit that defined the bookstore’s mission. Customers are encouraged to redeem their gift cards, which will be transferred to Bookshop.org after the closure, ensuring continued access to books.
While the bookstore’s physical locations may be shutting down, its legacy of literacy and community empowerment will undoubtedly endure.
“We look forward to seeing y’all over the next couple of months, so we can go ahead and close out as beautifully and end a chapter that has really been a great one,” Moore said.
A Note from the Managing Editor
Tacuma R. Roeback is the Managing Editor for the Chicago Defender. His journalism, non-fiction, and fiction have appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tennessean, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Phoenix New Times, HipHopDX.com, Okayplayer.com, The Shadow League, SAGE: The Encyclopedia of Identity, Downstate Story, Tidal Basin Review, and Reverie: Midwest African American Literature.
He is an alumnus of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Chicago State University, and Florida A&M University.
Conclusion
Semicolon Books has left an indelible mark on the Chicago literary scene and will be deeply missed. The bookstore’s legacy of community and literacy will continue to inspire and empower readers, even as it closes its physical doors.
FAQs
When will the West Town location close? The West Town location will remain open for a few more months, allowing customers to redeem gift cards and celebrate Independent Bookstore Day one last time on April 26, 2025.
What will happen to my gift card? Gift cards will be transferred to Bookshop.org after the closure, ensuring continued access to books.
How can I stay involved with the Semicolon Books mission? Although the physical locations are closing, the Semicolon Books team will continue to work towards their mission through various initiatives. Follow their social media accounts to stay updated on their future endeavors.
