There are the Blackhawks and the Bulls vying for another national championship, but when it comes to bookshops, there are championships, too. And Anderson’s Bookshops, based in Naperville, have succeeded in winning a second Pannell Award. Given by the Woman’s National Book Association, the 2015 Pannell Award recognizes independent bookstores that enhance their communities by bringing exceptional creativity to foster a love of reading in their young patrons.
Anderson’s Bookshops recently celebrated 50 years at the same location in downtown Naperville.
Anderson’s previously won this same award in 2002. The honor recognizes bookstores across the nation with the best children’s section and programming.
The five jury members were very impressed by Anderson’s “focus on building and nurturing a book-loving community not only through selling books, but through partnerships with school districts, non-profits, and charities.” Anderson’s is a full service general bookstore.
The award itself, an original piece of art from a recognized children’s illustrator, and a $1000 check, will be presented at Book Expo America later this month in New York, the book industry’s annual national convention.
Also winning this year is Once Upon a Time bookstore, a children’s bookstore only, in Montrose, California, in the children’s specialty category.
Anderson’s Bookshop co-owner Becky Anderson, a former American Booksellers Association president and a newly elected member of the Naperville City Council, said, “We are absolutely beyond thrilled to win the Pannell Award. Our entire staff is so excited. We were in incredibly good company with the other award nominees.”
Anderson’s Bookshops received another major honor in 2011 as national Bookstore of the Year from Publisher’s Weekly. And has also earned local honors, when the company won the Naperville Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award and Retail Business of the Year.
In addition to winning national recognition, Becky Anderson, center, aims to help keep other local independent businesses in the top of minds of residents through initiatives such as IndieBound Naperville.
Anderson’s Bookshops specialize in book sales, author events, book signings, and building a sense of community, learning and fun. Anderson’s Bookshops location include Naperville, Downers Grove and an upcoming grand opening later this summer in La Grange. Anderson’s also runs a gift shop, Two Doors East, in Naperville and a school and warehouse division in Aurora. Keep updated on current literary events by visiting www.andersonsbookshop.com.
With one winner in the area, now Anderson’s hopes it rubs off on the sports teams nearby as well!
News release by Candy Purdom and Ginny Wehrli-Hemmeter / PN File Photos
