With the closing of The Book Table in January 2025 after 22 years, many in Oak Park were deeply saddened. Fortunately, two independent bookstores have recently opened: The Book Loft at 1047 Lake St., www.thebookloftoakpark.com, is located in part of The Book Table’s former storefront, and the Dandelion Bookshop at 139 S. Oak Park Ave., www.dandelionbookshop.com.
When I walked into The Book Loft, I was impressed with how artfully the space was decorated. It turns out that co-owner, Sophie Schauer Eldred, is an experienced interior designer. She opened the store in August 2025 with her best friend, Heather Nelson, who worked in travel and hospitality for many years. These Oak Parkers told me they are “110% about customer service and creating a space for discovery with a welcoming, elevated and safe space to do it in.”
The Book Loft has a children’s area with white bookshelves and kids’ furniture and an adult section with dark wooden bookshelves. There are comfortable armchairs and books displayed on wooden tables and shelves throughout the store.
Since this column is called “Favorite Things,” I asked Sophie and Heather about their favorite things about The Book Loft. They told me, “Our customers, whether a local resident or someone from out of town, we love meeting them and hearing what’s special to them about reading or a favorite author or just what’s happening in their life. We love our business neighbors and the welcoming support and collaboration so many of them have shared with us. And lastly, we continue to learn: learn about the book industry and learn about the diverse requests of our community.”
Dandelion Bookshop opened in January 2025. The owners are Oak Parkers Jamie and Kurt Erikson and their “Junior Manager and Book Tester,” 10-year-old son Teddy.
Jamie is a former copy editor for Restoration Hardware. She is an author of books for middle-grade readers (ages 8-10) and co-representative of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
When I asked Jamie about her favorite things about Dandelion, she told me that “it is the community that has grown since we first opened just over a year ago. I love to see both familiar and new faces walk through the door, knowing we’ll get to chat together about what we’ve just read and what’s next on our lists. I also love the atmosphere of Dandelion. There’s a feeling of magic when I walk through the door each morning and spend the day surrounded by our green shelves full of books. One of our customers calls her Wednesday morning visits her weekly ‘book bathing.’ She says it’s her favorite part of the week, and I agree!”
I wondered why they named the store Dandelion, which is often considered a garden weed. Jamie said, “Dandelions represent hope and resilience, we make wishes when we scatter their seeds, and they’re also stubborn and hard to get rid of — a good model for a small business!”
She wants readers to know that even though there is utility work impacting traffic on Oak Park Avenue, the store will remain open during the project. People can park at the nearby Avenue Garage. Customers can also order online and get books delivered.
Both Dandelion Bookshop and The Book Loft have book signings, author readings, and community events that can be found on their websites.
Community members have expressed concern about the opening of the new Barnes & Noble on Lake Street. When I asked these two independent bookstore owners what they thought about this, they were both positive.
Jamie Erikson from Dandelion said, “There was a time when Oak Park had four bookstores all thriving at once, and this is still such a literary community full of readers of all ages. Indie bookstores each have their own personality to offer and a direct connection to their community, and we’ll continue to provide that for our customers.”
Heather and Sophie from The Book Loft said, “As Oak Parkers, we are happy that the building at Lake and Harlem is getting new life. We will be business neighbors, but we will offer a very differentiated experience. Plus, between Oak Park and our neighboring communities, there will be plenty of readers for us both.”
Happy reading, everyone!
Joy Aaronson is an Oak Park resident who contributed to Chicago Parent magazine and wrote the Kids’ World column for the former Logan Square Free Press.