The Gallery Bookstore Ltd

When I walked in, the man behind the counter greeted me and called me sweetheart, instantly creeping me out. Not a great start. I was even more uncomfortable when I was asked to leave my purse at the front of the store; this is a common practice for used bookstores, but there was nowhere secure to put it, just on the ground in front of the counter. I came in looking for three different books (big name, classic authors), but they only had one of them in stock. I browsed a bit and eventually found something else I liked, but it was an overall uncomfortable experience and I don’t think I’ll end up going back.

I went there today and I think it’s great! The owner was really helpful and had a nice little chat with me! I’ll go back soon!

This place is fantastic if you’re into collecting and/​or reading old paperback mysteries, as I am. Some of the prices seem a little high for used paperbacks from five decades ago, but if they’re priced with collectors in mind, rather than just those folks looking for something to read, the pricing probably makes sense. Don’t get me wrong — the prices aren’t outrageous. I paid between $ 4 and $ 6 bucks each for some Ellery Queen, an Ace double mystery, and a couple of others.
Just make sure you heed the owner’s request to turn your cell phone off and take no photos. I had no problem doing so (it’s his store, and I don’t need my phone on all the time), but I hear from other reviewers that he can be militant about it. He seems intimidating, but he was polite to me when I asked questions and when I paid for my books.
Anyway, the selection there is really great and diverse with books I haven’t seen anywhere else (so far) in Chicago.

They have some okay books here, but the guy that owns it is insane about you not taking photos in his store. I get not taking photos of the books but my friend and I went in here and I photographed her with her old Polaroid just standing there, and the owner went crazy on us and demanded to have the Polaroids, even though they were of a young woman and not of his books. Needless to say, won’t be coming back here– feels like you’re walking on eggshells the whole time you’re trying to browse an okay selection of books…

This is not a place for any literary fans or avid book readers who are black or of African descent to go to purchase any books or any other material because they will unfortunately get racist, racial profiling treatment from the old, fat, white storeowner.
Upon my entering into the establishment amid many customers ranging from different ages yet who were white, I was told by him to put my purse and my Marshalls shopping bag at the front for him to watch because, according to him, this was a mandatory rule for anyone coming into the bookstore.
After I submitted and did so, I walked only two feet and saw two white female teenagers, a white pregnant woman, as well as an old white woman ALL with backpacks, bags, and purses walking around the store and perusing the bookshelves.
I spoke up and asked why this was in front of all the customers. He said it was for all the customers. I said obviously not because all these white people where walking around with their belongings so why was I being targeted and picked out to be the only one to put my things in plain view at the front of the store.
After some relentless back and forth I told him and the nosy white male customer who was all in my business that this was «some racist bulls***» and then I warned the customer to stay out of my business because apparently his «white privilege had blinded him» from seeing the truth.
This is the type of treatment that Chicago is all to well-​known for: segregation valuing white supremacy.
Beware of this store, my people. This is not where you should be spending your money. Let’s invest in our own businesses from now on.

The sign on the door says the store opens up at 11am weekdays. Still no one there at 11:05am. Then I noticed that Unilocal says that the store opens at 1pm today. Store owner: either be on time or put the right opening time on your door!

Stumbled upon this gem after brunch, and I didn’t want to leave! Great books at fairly inexpensive prices. I bought 3 books, all at ¹⁄₃ the cost of a new one.
I thought the owner was really respectful and kind as long as you are as well. Looking forward to going back!

Not really sure why the people below are disliking this place. I think it ROCKS!
This is my go-​to place for books. period. I admit that the owner looks scary at first, and can be a bit rude even, but if you just stop to talk to him or ask him book questions (he’s a literary genius) he’ll give you great advice and even remember you each time you come in.
The books are greatly priced, in my eyes, as long as you don’t buy a newer book. I’ve bought several books here, after looking at other used book stores located much nearer to my house but those were overpriced.
Love the wide selection. Dunno, this is my bookstore from now on.

I love books and bookstores and I wanted to like this one but the person at the store was so rude. I got such attitude as soon as I walked in that I walked right out. You can keep your stinkin’ books!

Rude.rude.rude.
I had just walked in to this dusty old second hand book store. I know they ask people to take off their bags and backpacks so i complied. But this homeless looking man with a dirty beard said «you have to turn off your cell phone!» Of course i didn’t bother to touch my cell phone, im a customer, this is not a library.
When i find my two books and go to ring out he asks me for my id. now granted, i need an id for a credit card but usually cashiers either ring me out or dont. this old disgusting man started arguing with me. Hes like «you should have your id. Nobody follows the rules of credit card companies, you shouldn’t be using this card at all, its not signed. Everybody gets away with stealing cards. Its easier to get a fake id than to sign the back of your card.» Then he makes me write my phone number on the back of the receipt. Hes like «so we can check who you really are». excuse me?!
The store offers nothing, your lucky you get customers at all! Im never coming back.

This place is my go-​to for most used books that I have purchased. Granted, it does not have everything thing that I want to get, but in general the service is great and the layout of the store itself is cool and comfortable.
I only had one time when I received bad service, and that was with a particular clerk who had no business being there. All I can say was that he was the LEAST helpful I have ever met and practically stared at me without really lifting a finger to give suggestions or to even help. Lucky for me, I only saw him that one time.
Otherwise, this place is great to go to and find what you’re looking for.

I can’t remember the last time I bought something here. 2003? Maybe? I’ve never found the selection that impressive even though it’s a deceptively large store. In fact, I don’t remember talking to anyone – the owner or, if he has any, staff – which is fine. It just adds to the ambience of indifference.

Since Borders closed (especially the one on Diversy and Clark) I’ve made this place my new book store. Very organized, and the books are in really condition. Sometimes a little pricey. Definately will recommend this place to anyone.

The quintessential bookstore.
A great hub for collectors as they are keen on quality and value here. They have an impressive array of old but not creepy old playboy magazines for prices anyone would find agreeable.
They have a ton plus one when it comes to books. From Vonnegut to Kerouac in literature as well as the classics like Dickens and Copperfield… even boring old Walt Whitman can be found here!
A fair collection of Spanish and French literature as well, but I couldn’t find Russian (Sorry Kafka fans!)
If you’re hunting for some hard to find occult books you might have a pretty good shot at finding your next one here as I noticed they cater a section on the topic.
Their selection of academic and art related books are worth a browse as well, and all are priced fairly enough.

I’ve been going here for years, generally because it happens to be there, and I’m on my way from somewhere to somewhere else. That is to say, it’s not really a destination in and of itself, but I’m always happy to drop by, check out the shelves, and see if something catches my eye. I’ve had good luck here with science fiction, fantasy, and tangentially related material, but not so much in other fields. The standard fiction section, however, has that annoying used bookstore staple: the «let’s arbitrarily divide literature up by country of origin» policy that means you end up hunting around for Dostoevsky, Calvino, or Garcia Marquez in a random corner while shelf after shelf of relatively crappy American fiction is at eye level.
Overall it’s a good place to check out, and it’s quite well organized, so browsing isn’t a chore. The prices are, by and large, very reasonable, especially given the location. The guys working there know the selection inside and out, and have never hesitated to help me check out a book from the window display or direct me to a likely hiding place for some title or other.

I went in the first time a few weeks ago when I needed a book and was killing time by Belmont station. I agree with all the others who commented about the owner, he is a curt chap who definitely runs things his way. That being said, he owns a used bookstore, so what would you expect?
His selection is quite large and I found numerous history books that I had not seen before including the one I bought. Prices are very reasonable and once you prove you are not there to just kill time, hide from weather, but to make a purchase the owner is quite pleasant.
I definitely will back. Just make sure you give yourself 30 mins to browse until you find what strikes your fancy and you will be a happy customer.

Good selection, including a large collection of the weird and wonderful Chicago mystery writer Harry Stephen Keeler.
Lots of weird nuisance policies, though. The worst is that a truly excessive number of books are sealed up in plastic wrap for protection and (I guess) to prohibit browsing of contents — although I’m not just talking about smut here, but many other categories. The owner should look into Brodart covers and plastic slip covers, which protect the bindings and jackets without making books impossible to read.
Seriously, what good is a bookstore where everything is shrink-​wrapped? Might as well order from Amazon.

Not bad for a street with more piercing parlors and dildo shops than bookstores. I like this place, and the owner isn’t all that bad. It’s his sandbox – play by his rules, and you’ll have a fun time. I found a couple of hard to find William Peter Blatty books including an early edition Exorcist novel announcing that it was «just made into a movie.» Great selection of art books.
Yes, I believe if your cellphone rings while in here, you will be turned into a toad.

This place — aka Town Cleaners — would be a wonderland — if only it weren’t for the world’s biggest louse.
And that IS the word for this bookstore ownerguy — he is like an old bug.
It got more than a one star due to the fact that I found a rilly large selection of old smut that had me laughing for quite some time.
I would have taken a picture, but this guy is ardently anti-​electronic and I didn’t want to find out what he would do if he heard the shutter click.

I had no problems with the allegedly crochety proprietor. Although he did briefly mention the cell phone policy, the rest of our interactions were entirely friendly. He directed me to the precise spot of a book that I wanted (Virgil’s Eclogues), and as I browsed the rest of the store, I overheard him chatting with some other patrons. When I went to check out, he commented to me, «These youngsters want me to go out drinking with them. I’m way too old for that. I had my days of that stuff…» Then he made some casual and friendly comments about the book that I was buying. When I left, he thanked me for coming in and asked me to visit again. Obviously others have had different experiences, but I have no complaints.
The store leans heavily towards pulp, mystery, and sci-​fi, with very little straightforward fiction or literature. There is plenty of poetry, though, and smallish selections of history and drama. There are some seemingly random sections too, such as an entire shelf of «Energy Issues» and a healthy stock of gardening books. This is definitely a place to go if you’re looking for something in a niche, but perhaps not for browsing history and literature, which is my usual penchant.
That said, I will stop in again if I happen to be passing by with a few minutes to spend and a sought-​after book in mind.