Half Price Books now open for business in Algonquin
A new bookstore now is open in the former Borders Books location along the Randall Road corridor in the Algonquin Commons Shopping Center.
Half Price Books opened last month inside half of the vacant Borders Books location. The store, 2226 S. Randall Road, sells new books at a discounted price as well as used books. It is located next to Family Christian Store, which filled the other half of the former Borders location.
The Algonquin location is the eighth Half Price Books location in the Chicago area, and the first along the Randall Road corridor and in the Fox Valley.
The folks at Half Price Books say they wanted to expand their stores to this area, hoping to serve even more customers. It is their 117th store in the United States.
“We liked the area, and the center. Algonquin Commons was great in that it needed a bookstore and we thought it would be a great fit,” said Emily Bruce, public relations manager for Half Price Books.
In addition to books, the store also sells CDs, magazines, comics, records, cassettes, videos, DVDs and collectible items.
The store is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.
For details, call (847) 458-2669.
What's your interpretation? Gibby's Wine Bar and Market is giving customers a chance to be creative in hopes of winning a piece of artwork.
Each month through its Art by the Glass program, Gibby's features a different local artist's artwork in their business as a way to support artists and art lovers in the community. There usually are between 20 and 40 pieces on display each month.
This month, Batavia artist Kristin Behmer's show “Imagined Landscape” will be on display and for sale. Customers will have a chance to win one of Behmer's original works of art as part of Gibby's new Curator's Choice Contest.
Behmer donated a piece of work that is open to interpretation by the public. People are asked to submit their own personal interpretation of the piece by the end of the month. The best story or interpretation of her painting will win the piece.
“This is a great way for the public to be more engaged with the exhibit each month and to encourage them to really interact with the art,” said Mary McHugh, Art by the Glass program coordinator.
“We will be doing something like this each month, asking the audience to participate in the show in some way by writing down or submitting their own interpretation about a specific artwork, then giving the original artwork away as a prize.”
Next month, Gibby's will feature photographer Lisa Vargo, who will donate a piece for their Photo Caption Contest. The person with the best caption will win the artwork.
“What a great way to acquire original art,” McHugh said. “Who knows, we may inspire a collection.”
Gibby's is at 1772 S. Randall, Suite 220, Geneva. For information, call (630) 208-6424.
Ÿ Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.