Barnes & Noble Bookstore Opens Inside Historic Chicago Bank
A New Era for Book Lovers in Wicker Park
A new Barnes & Noble bookstore in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood opens to the public Wednesday, inside an architecturally historic building that once housed Walgreen’s iconic “Vitamin Vault.”
A Grand Opening with a Rich Heritage
At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Barnes & Noble will hold a grand opening for its long-awaited Wicker Park store, located inside the city’s historic Noel State Bank building, located at 1601 N. Milwaukee. The century-old space had previously been occupied by Walgreen’s, which shut down in 2023 and was previously celebrated on social media for its repurposed bank vault.
A New Chapter for Barnes & Noble
The Wicker Park store follows the return of the bookstore to Lincoln Park, which opened a location on W. Diversey Parkway in May, and the store’s comeback to Old Orchard Mall in Skokie. “We open what is now one of the most beautiful bookstores anywhere in the world,” said James Daunt, CEO, Barnes & Noble. “Its architects in 1919 described it as the dernier cri in bank architecture and indeed only bankers could have thought to build something so ornate. A little over a century later, we booksellers are thrilled to be the beneficiaries.”
A Treasure Trove of Books and More
The release describes the building as “one of the architectural gems of Chicago.” The ornate interior is even more impressive than the exterior, with the bookseller having sensitively preserved the splendor of the building to create a spectacular bookstore.
Grand Opening Events and More
The Wicker Park grand opening features a handful of author meet-and-greet book signings, including a signing of “The Lula Cafe Cookbook” by the restaurant’s chef, Jason Hammel. Earlier this year, Lula Cafe won Chicago’s only James Beard award for 2024, taking home the prize for “Outstanding Hospitality.”
Conclusion
The opening of Barnes & Noble in the historic Noel State Bank building marks a new era for book lovers in Wicker Park and beyond. As a testament to the enduring appeal of physical bookstores, this stunning location promises to delight readers of all ages.
FAQs
* When does the Barnes & Noble Wicker Park store open?
+ 10 a.m. Wednesday
* Where is the Barnes & Noble Wicker Park store located?
+ 1601 N. Milwaukee, Chicago
* What are the grand opening events and book signings?
+ Meet-and-greet book signings, including a signing of “The Lula Cafe Cookbook” by chef Jason Hammel
