Women & Children First (bookstore)
| Company type | Independent bookstore |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (books) |
| Founded | November 1979 |
| Founder | Ann Christophersen, Linda Bubon |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Chicago metropolitan area |
| Products | Books (women authors, children's literature, LGBT themes) |
| Website | www |
Women & Children First is an independent bookstore situated at 5233 North Clark Street within Chicago's Andersonville district. Established in 1979 by entrepreneurs Ann Christophersen and Linda Bubon, this bookstore operates with a feminist mission, promoting women authors and serving the surrounding community. Its inventory primarily features literature by and about women, alongside children's books and works addressing LGBT themes.
Description
Recognized as one of the largest feminist bookstores across the United States, Women & Children First offers an inventory of approximately 30,000 titles. The carefully selected collection highlights inclusivity and queer viewpoints, providing a distinct advantage through its dedication to diversity and community involvement. The store’s business strategy centers on uplifting women’s literary contributions and supporting progressive causes, with a notable emphasis on LGBT-related materials. Children's literature represents roughly 20% of total sales, complemented by popular genres such as cookbooks, art, education, and parenting resources.
The bookstore frequently organizes author readings and community gatherings, including drag queen story hours designed for children. Esteemed speakers who have appeared at the venue include former president Jimmy Carter, Gloria Steinem, Margaret Atwood, and Alice Walker, which has bolstered its reputation in the market. A renovation completed in 2015 expanded the space for events, allowing for a broader range of workshops, support groups, and social functions that enhance local connections and stimulate business development.
History
Women & Children First was launched in November 1979 by Ann Christophersen and Linda Bubon, then students at the University of Illinois at Chicago who recognized an unmet demand for books authored by women. They invested $15,000 to stock feminist literature and empowering children's books focused on girls. The original location was on Armitage Avenue in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood; during the 1980s, the store relocated to Halsted Avenue before establishing itself in Andersonville in 1990.
The bookstore enjoyed steady expansion through the early 1990s but encountered financial difficulties as large chain bookstores entered the Chicago area. To adapt, Women & Children First broadened its offerings to include textbooks and made staffing adjustments. However, the rise of Amazon and other online retailers employing loss-leader pricing strategies in the early 2000s further challenged its economic stability.
In 2014, founders Bubon and Christophersen transferred ownership to longtime staff members Lynn Mooney and Sarah Hollenbeck, signaling a pivotal change in leadership. The new proprietors invested in refurbishments that introduced a dedicated event space aimed at deepening community engagement and strengthening brand identity. Interest surged following the 2016 presidential election among young feminists, resulting in increased store visits and online purchases that fueled growth throughout the late 2010s.
Marking its 40th anniversary in 2019, Women & Children First commemorated with a significant community celebration while underscoring its market impact by featuring top-selling works such as My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem and Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay. This milestone reinforced its position as a specialized independent bookstore with strong community connections.
In popular culture
The TV show Portlandia offered a gentle parody of feminist bookstores through its recurring sketch "Women and Women First," which was shot at In Other Words, a feminist bookstore located in Portland.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Independent bookstores of the United States
- Feminist bookstores
- Bookstores established in the 20th century
- American companies established in 1979
- Lesbian culture in Illinois
- LGBTQ culture in Chicago
- Retail companies established in 1979
- 1979 establishments in Illinois
- LGBTQ bookstores
- Small businesses in Chicago
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- Companies of the United States by year of establishment