Kristin Enola Gilbert & Javier Ramirez

Hailing from Sacramento, California, Javier Ramirez has called Chicago home since 1995 and has been an indie bookseller for just as long. He’s been a judge for the Kirkus Non-fiction Prize in 2017, the National Book Award for Fiction in 2019, and the Andrew Carnegie Medals in Fiction and Nonfiction for 2021. He is the 2021 director of programming for the Printers Row Lit Fest.

What’s to say, really? Born in Reno, Nevada and currently calling Chicago home. A life lived in academia, books, and music, I am beyond thrilled to become part of such a rich and varied bookselling community. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to join forces with that guy above?
—Kristin Enola Gilbert

They opened up their online bookstore September 2020 and moved into their physical store May 15, 2021 located in the Historic Fine Arts Building at 410 S. Michigan Ave.