This month, it's off to Chicago, to the 'burbs—specifically Forest Park—for one of my favorite bookstores.
History and mystery found here
Augie Aleksy launched his Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore 20 years ago. But before he did, with great care he laid out a business plan, and he drew on what he had learned while earning an MBA to do it right.
When Augie talks about it now, he flashes a grin as big as his store's front window.
"What was remarkable," Augie says, "five years ago, for our fifteenth anniversary, I studied the plan that I had put together back in 1990. These were my dreams, and they all became a reality . . . a bookstore that specializes in history and mystery, our Meeting of Minds program, our mystery discussion group. Sisters in Crime and the Midwest chapter of the Mystery Writers of America meeting here, those two are a bonus I never anticipated."
Lots of Chicago area writers come in for book talks and signings. So do many of us crime writers from around the Midwest.
Augie makes everyone feel welcome, and his joy is infectious.
In 2008, he was nominated for the American Booksellers Association's Bookseller of the Year award.
The Chicago Tribune named his bookstore one of the ten best in Chicago.
And in April, the Mystery Writers of America will present Augie with its Raven Award for outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing.
An honor well deserved.
Favorite Bookstores Archive:
The Book Café in Waukesha, WI
© Jerry Peterson.
