Anderson's Bookshops in Naperville expanding

At a time when book stores, both large and small, are struggling to survive, Anderson's Bookshops in Naperville is announcing plans to expand later this month.

The business that has operated in downtown Naperville for the past 45 years is planning to launch a second store a couple doors down from the existing location, Gail Wetta, who handles publicity, said Friday.

Anderson's 2 Doors East will operate at 111 W. Jefferson taking the place of a luggage store that recently closed. The new Anderson's shop will focus on gifts, leaving more space for books in the existing shop.

"We've always had gifts in our store; we just decided to shift some things over and have a concentrated effort on gifts at the new place," Wetta said. Some of the highlights at the new shop will include toys, cards, games, bags, T-shirts, wall art, lamps and glassware. "It will have a new, trendy mix of eclectic gift items," she added.

The gift shop will open the week before Thanksgiving, just in time for the kickoff of the holiday shopping season. A grand opening is being planned for December. The company will continue to operate its Downers Grove location on Main Street as well.

This marks the 131st year in business for the Anderson family. The company started as a drugstore with a small book section. The family continues to run the business the focuses on customer service and offering the shopper personal attention.

It's the personal touch that includes free gift wrapping, promotional events and big-name author visits that are helping the family business survive. Couple that with downtown business campaign events and the crowds swell at Anderson's, allowing it to thrive in a poor economy.