The 150-Year-Old Anderson’s Bookshop Is Named Illinois’s Most Devotion-Worthy Destination

A quiet bookstore in downtown Naperville has just earned the kind of recognition most small businesses only dream of. Anderson’s Bookshop, a 150-year-old independent bookstore, has been named the most “devotion-worthy” destination in Illinois, according to a recent survey conducted by Advanced Funds Network.

The survey polled more than 3,000 people across the U.S., asking which small businesses they’d gladly drive out of their way to support. In Illinois, Anderson’s Bookshop topped the list, not a flashy resort, not a new restaurant, but a humble, enduring bookshop.

Anderson’s Bookshop sits on West Jefferson Avenue, a short walk from Naperville’s bustling Riverwalk. It’s not just old, it’s persistent. Fifth-generation owned, fiercely independent, and unflinchingly local, the store has weathered everything from the fall of Borders to the rise of Amazon, and still draws book lovers from across the state.

“We have made sure we are part of the community, and I think that’s why we have lasted this long,” said Ginny Wehrli-Hemmeter, the shop’s events director.

Built to Outlast the Surviving Shifts

Anderson’s Bookshop opened in 1875, years before typewriters became mainstream, before electric lights were common in homes. In a time when most stores sold dry goods or tools, Anderson’s offered books and learning materials. Even then, it partnered with schools.

“That has always been a priority, which is pretty rare,” Wehrli-Hemmeter said. “In 1875, it wasn’t necessarily the norm for a bookstore to be working with the schools, but for us, that was always a part of what we do.”

Over the decades, the shop evolved with the times. But it never lost sight of its mission: matching every person with the right book. It’s a philosophy that seems quaint until you see it in action. A staff member will hand you a novel before you even finish describing what you are looking for. 

“We’ve always been supportive of finding a book for every person to see themselves in and also to understand the rest of the world around them,” Wehrli-Hemmeter said.

The shelves curve into cozy alcoves. There is a slight creak in the floorboards when you walk, evidence of a century and a half of readers pacing, pausing, and picking up stories.

More Than Just a Bookstore

Anderson’s Bookshop is no passive relic. It’s a living space that hosts more than 240 events a year.

Recent guests include Remarkably Bright Creatures author Shelby Van Pelt. This season, the shop will host Abraham Verghese, Joe Abercrombie, cookbook star B. Dylan Hollis, and basketball icon Candace Parker.

“That really never gets old,” Wehrli-Hemmeter said. “Watching someone connect with an author they love, it’s still magic.”

Behind the scenes, the Anderson’s Bookshop quietly supports dozens of nonprofit causes and schools. It’s not just commerce, it’s civic memory.

Winning Over Next Door Competition

There is a Barnes & Noble just yards away. Amazon is only a tap away. Yet Anderson’s Bookshop remains a destination. Its audience is not just loyal; it’s generational.

“We live here, we work here,” said Wehrli-Hemmeter. “And we are dedicated to making sure we remain here, hopefully for another 150 years.”

This year, the store is celebrating its sesquicentennial, not with flash sales or nostalgia, but by continuing to do what it always has: serve readers and the wider community.

Planning Your Visit

The flagship Naperville location is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

There is also a Downers Grove location on Main Street. It keeps shorter hours but offers the same hand-curated experience.

The vibe at Anderson’s Bookshop is part literary salon, part neighborhood hangout. It’s the kind of place where a ten-minute browse turns into an hour-long conversation.

One of Illinois’ Best Suburb Icons

Naperville, often ranked as one of the best suburbs in America, has become synonymous with community-driven growth. The city’s investment in local culture, education, and small businesses has paid off. Anderson’s Bookshop is a product of that environment, and a symbol of it.

The bookstore’s latest milestone, 150 years and counting, isn’t just a win for one store. It’s a reminder that tradition, when thoughtfully maintained, can still compete with convenience.

Anderson’s Bookshop doesn’t sell millions of books a day. It doesn’t need to. What it sells is connection. Identity. Longevity.

And in today’s times, that might be the most powerful product of all.