Things I Like - Chicago

This is BIG - today is the grand opening of a new bookstore in Chicago, Open Books.

Yes, the fact that a bookstore is opening and not closing is good to hear, but the big news is that this used bookstore is also a non-profit entity that promotes literacy.

Open Books, located at 213 W. Institute Place,

… will look and operate like any other except that proceeds will fund literacy programs for children and adults in the same building. It's the next step for the organization founded three years ago to run programs aimed at improving reading and writing skills.

Through viral marketing, word-of-mouth and savvy salesmanship, Keaty, 31, and Ratner, 37 -- two business professionals with a shared background in corporate marketing and small-business entrepreneurship -- quickly amassed a volunteer list totaling 4,000, a small staff, corporate grants and thousands of books donated from Itasca to Iraq.

Their model is already bringing queries from literacy advocates in other cities who hope to raise awareness -- and funds -- in their communities.
~ Chicago Tribune

So check out the new store, check out the website, buy some books and help support literacy in Chicago.