Chicago Bookstore Navigates Uncertainties With Some Help From Its Friends

WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to Volumes Book Cafe co-owner Rebecca George about her efforts to keep her business going during the pandemic.

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“Bookstores are’t only a representation of a community, they’re a hub. it’s a safe place that brings together ideas, love, fantasy, hope, all those things.” - Volumes co-owner Rebecca George talking about the special role independent bookstores play in communities.

Volumes co-owner Rebecca George

The last Saturday in April is always Independent Bookstore Day. This year was different, COVID-19 restrictions have shut down retailers across the country (the national promotion has been rescheduled for August 29th of this year). Chicago-based Volumes Book Cafe is among a group of local book shops that would have celebrated the occasion … if we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic. Instead Volumes co-owner Rebecca George is working on ways to keep her independent bookstore thriving in unprecedented times. It isn’t easy, which is why she recently launched a GoFundMe campaign aimed at keeping Volumes afloat until the Wicker Park-neighborhood-based store is able to open its physical doors again.

A look inside Volumes’ circa 2017

The store’s goal is to raise $100,000. Like many GoFundMe campaigns there are incentives to reach certain goals, Volumes has truly one-of-a-kind incentive should the shop’s campaign surpass $60,000. If that happens, a video featuring 28 authors recreating the detention dance scene (see below to refresh your memory) from THE BREAKFAST CLUB will be released. The dance video idea comes from acclaimed author Rebecca Makkai, who recruited fellow authors to participate in the project. If you want to help Volumes reach its goal with the potential of seeing a bunch of authors get down to Karla DeVito’s WE ARE NOT ALONE, click here.

WE ARE NOT ALONE!!! The Breakfast Club (1985) SYNOPSIS: Five high school students from different walks of life endure a Saturday detention under a power-hung...

Check out Volumes website here.