Browsing in Bookies. It’s a pastime a lot of neighbors have missed since the pandemic forced the bookstore to close for several months. Owner Keith Lewis has reopened the store on a limited basis (yay!) and is hoping his novel idea for a Bookies apparel fund raiser will appeal to his customers and help him recoup some of the revenue lost during the extended store closure.
Bookies t-shirts ($24), longsleeve-shirts ($27) and hoodies ($36.50 designed by artists with a local connection will be on sale online until Nov. 15 at bookies2020.itemorder.com/sale. Orders will be shipped the week of Nov. 23.
Artists whose designs are printed on the shirts are Beverly/Morgan Park residents Kristen Dobbins and Nate Otto and former South Sider Mairead Zigulich. Lewis met the artists through the Beverly Art Walk and Ridge Park Art Fair.
Kristen Dobbins is a graphic designer by day and a fine artist by night, which explains her interests and work revolving around typography, lines, and shapes. She serves on the board for the Beverly Area Arts Alliance, helping with design work and organizing events.
Nate Otto is an artist, illustrator, and muralist based in Chicago. His work occupies its own lane somewhere between the worlds of folk art, street art, lowbrow art, and contemporary fine art. His paintings and drawings are ruminations on urban life and landscape and stylistic explorations into what he dubs “whateveriwanttodoism.”
Mairead Zigulich’s works depict aspects of the human portrait that are expressed through bright colors and intricate lines. She draws inspiration from studying the unconscious mind. She currently lives in Colorado.
“I loved all their work,” Lewis said. “So I asked, and they wanted to help save their local bookstore — Mairead grew up shopping at Bookie’s.” The shirts are black with the artists’ designs on the front and the Bookie’s book-and-star logo on the back. “They look fantastic,” Lewis added.
Bookies, 10324 S. Western, is restocking for the holidays, including Hearth & Hammer candles, children’s books and puzzles. Current hours are Tues., Wed., Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thurs., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
