Located in the heart of downtown Evanston, Bookends & Beginnings offers new, used, and bargain books; unique, irresistible gift items; literary events; wine, cocktails, and beer; and lots of local color. The colorful and welcoming two-story location includes a cozy, tucked-away MiniBar downstairs, open during events and daily from 4-PM.

The bookstore first opened in June of 2014 in the space formerly occupied by legendary antiquarian store Bookman’s Alley. In February 2023, Bookends & Beginnings opened their new location at 1620 Orrington Avenue, and has since expanded to include Middles Used Books, a separate storefront for used and rare books located three doors down at 1630 Orrington Ave.

Bookends & Beginnings is the independent bookstore Nina Barrett has dreamed of opening since she moved to Evanston in the late 1980s, but for a while both she and Evanston went in other directions. During the period when two large chain bookstores faced off downtown, Nina was raising two children and freelancing articles, essays, and reviews to Chicago and national publications.

Nina opened Bookends & Beginnings in June of 2014 with the help of her husband Jeff Garrett, an internationally recognized expert on rare and specialized library collections, as well as global children's literature. Jeff's early involvement with the store is reflected in its unique collection of children's books in 48 foreign languages, including Kurdish, Maori, and Basque.