The owners of The Book Table in Oak Park are ready to start a new chapter and will close their popular business after 21 years.
Jason Smith and Rachel Weaver opened the store on July 26, 2003 at 1045 Lake Street.
At the time, the store was one of only four bookstores in the area and it was recognized that there was a need in the community for a store that sold discounted and used books.
“If someone came in looking for a book to prep for the SAT, we could direct them to the other store down the street and focus on our carefully curated selection of books instead,” Smith said.
But over time things changed.
Demand for new books increased as other stores began to close, and in 2011, Smith and Weaver made the decision to expand the store and its inventory.
“In many ways we had to evolve because we didn’t have the support on our street,” he said. “Our store evolved from that initial concept to a new bookstore because we had to fill the gap that was created in the community when the other stores closed.”
“The only constant is that Rachel and I are still here,” Smith said.
Jason Smith and Rachel Weaver, co-owners of The Book Table, say the decision to close was personal, not financial, and both remain grateful to the store’s many loyal customers.
But the pandemic hit the store hard.
“This period of selling books was anything but pleasant and we fell into a kind of depression,” Smith said. “We were constantly worried about the safety of our employees and our customers. We thought that when things got back to normal, we could shake this off and everything would be OK. But we’ve realized that we’re not quite over that yet and it’s time.”
The decision to close was personal, not financial, in nature, it was said.
Smith and Weaver, 49, who have been booksellers for more than 30 years, said they felt they could no longer devote the time and dedication needed to the store.
“Nobody goes into the bookstore business to get rich,” Smith said. “Bookstores have always been what they were meant to be, which is a moderately profitable business run by people who love books and love the business. But when one of those things stops being true and the love isn’t quite there anymore, that’s a problem.”
Smith says he is grateful for the support the community has shown him over the years.
“It’s not just our love of books that has kept us going for so long; it’s been our love of this community,” he said. “We have the greatest customers in the world and they have supported us in every way they can. We couldn’t be more grateful for each and every one of them.”
There is no set cut-off date yet, but starting Thursday there will be an additional 10% discount on all books from The Book Table.
And what about the next chapter for the couple?
“To be honest, we don’t know,” Smith said. “We don’t know how we can not focus on the store. So we’re going to keep doing that until the day we close. And the day after that, we’ll figure out what life after that means.”
Smith says there is no set closing date, but starting Thursday all books will be discounted by a further 10% and sales will increase as stock levels drop.
Another business down the street, the Cozy Corner Cozy Restaurant, a community breakfast spot, was forced to close last week after 65 years, but the owner said there was a rent dispute and finding a new home was difficult.
