As the newest addition to Andersonville’s book scene, this theater-focused cafe and bookstore opened in 2023. The Understudy is a love sonnet to Chicago’s drama community and is dedicated to uplifting artistry in all its forms.
Walking in, you already feel like you’re entering the backstage of a theater. The spacious interior is full of a palpable, creative energy that invites you to add your own ideas. The shop is split into two distinct but connected sections: One half is a bookstore, and the other is a coffee shop with ample seating and a corner window. Your attention shifts to the right, where the bright cafe offers espresso drinks, teas, seasonal specials and, of course, drip coffee. Order your favorite pick-me-up and wander through the store, where bookcases and shelves welcome you to dig in.
As you make your way further back, you’ll come to a large comfy couch, cozy armchairs and even an antique upright piano waiting to be dusted off and put to use. The Understudy is a place where you can sit for hours and work on your next masterpiece, whether you’re an aspiring playwright or creating a dazzling costume.
Named for the hidden work it takes to make a play happen, The Understudy has a lot going on behind the scenes. The space sells over 3,500 plays and other works that honor diverse perspectives and experiences, from classic anthologies to current monologues.
The book selection is not strictly a theater, however, and you will find works on a variety of topics including politics, theory, design, justice and wellness. The Understudy also hosts weekly events including concerts, drag performances, play readings and casual meetups.
Walk four blocks south to find Women & Children First prominently situated on the corner of Clark Street and Farragut Avenue. This indie bookstore has been a Chicago staple since 1979 and has called Andersonville home since 1990. As one of the original feminist bookstores in the United States, it is now also one of the last.
The store is a labyrinth of shelves, tables and carts of books waiting to be perused. In the entrance, you will find new releases, local interest stories, current memoirs and other timely works. As you walk back through the bright and open interior, you’ll find a full selection of both fiction and non-fiction reads, with subject lines including Decolonize Your Bookshelf, Feminist Favorites, Disability Justice and Chicago Reads.
The books and events at Women & Children First reflect its mission to celebrate and amplify underrepresented voices. As you wander through the store, it’s evident this is a safe space for marginalized populations. Selections focus on pieces by women, Black and indigenous writers, authors with disabilities, and those in the LGBTQ+ community.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the shelves, staff members will be happy to order it for you from their expansive catalog.
As the name suggests, the store also has a large selection of books for children, from picture books and board books to young adult novels. Young readers can participate in Kids First book discussions, and groups like Well Read Black Girl offer opportunities to highlight diverse groups of authors.
Cross Clark Street, walk three blocks south, and you’ll stumble upon Uncharted Books. This niche bookstore, which opened in 2012, relocated to Andersonville in 2019 and has undoubtedly found a home here.
The store offers a highly curated selection of vintage, used, rare and weird books, along with zines and consignment books, owner Tanner McSwain explains.
While you might want to be greeted with a musty scent and creaking walls, the store is quite cozy and comfortable. It packs a lot of character into the compact space and welcomes you to explore every nook. As you navigate through tall shelves of books and zines, you most certainly will uncover something delightfully unexpected. You’ll undoubtedly notice Ramona, the shop’s Siberian Husky mascot, watching the store from a prominent corner bed location.
Uncharted Books focuses on local, strange and adventurous reads. Its eclectic selection includes vintage and antique books and a highly curated list of rare titles. While the store is small, the offerings include a wide variety of subjects such as Japanese Language & Culture, Ephemera & Archival Material, and Collecting & Hobbies. As you dig in, you might find a limited-edition signed graphic novel or an 1879 leather-bound collection of poems from Henry Wadsworth.
Take your new stash of literary treasures and find a spot to get as comfortable as Ramona for some serious reading.
