Naperville-area book shop named top small business

Anderson's Bookshop may need to buy a trophy case to put among its bookcases.

The independent bookstore took home Small Business of the Year honors from the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce at the annual awards gala Friday night as well as Outstanding Business in the retail category.

Co-owner Becky Anderson Wilkins said the win was a celebration of community because the store partners with so many groups.

"Books are such an amazing piece of communication," Anderson Wilkins said. "We can reach out to so many different people, ages and demographics, so it's natural for us to merge and combine and partner with our community and outside our community."

Anderson Wilkins co-owns the bookshop at 123 W. Jefferson with her three brothers, Robert, Bill and Pete. The business has been in the family since 1964, although the family's entrepreneurship actually dates to 1879.

Anderson Wilkins, who serves as vice president of the American Booksellers Association, said reading has always been important to her family, a passion she is passing on to her children and customers.

Anderson's, which also has a shop in Downers Grove, is known for bringing top authors and celebrities to town for book signings and school visits including first lady Laura Bush, Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling, Jodi Picoult and Julie Andrews.

Anderson Wilkins said author visits and customer service help the shop compete with larger chains.

"We want to do the best we can for our community," she said. "When somebody walks in the door, they're family."

The chamber also honored Kenneth Packer of Packer Engineering on Friday, presenting him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Packer started the company in 1962 and has turned it into a nationally respected business with experts in a variety of disciplines. His staff has worked on projects like extracting oxygen from lunar soil and turning biowaste into environmentally friendly fuels.

Packer also runs an internship program that allows high school students to learn about engineering from the pros.

The chamber handed out several other awards Friday. ARDS Services Inc., Expert Plumbing Heating and Electrical, Advanced Health of Naperville and LifeSource Blood Services all won in their individual categories.