Aurora's Only Independent Bookstore Celebrates 1 Year

AURORA, IL — Aurora's only independent bookstore turned a year old this past week.

Yellow Bird Books, located at 34 S. Stolp Ave. in downtown Aurora, held a day-long party on Saturday to mark its first anniversary. The day featured everything from storytime and balloon animals to live music, mocktails and giveaways.

Owned by Karen Nicholas, a former teacher, Yellow Bird Books was started to "support the needs of the community by providing a thoughtfully curated selection of books and related merchandise," reads its website. Located in the prairie-style Keystone building designed by George Grant Elmslie, the shop takes inspiration from the architecture for its interior design.

"I've always loved books and dreamed about owning a bookstore," Nicholas said, per a news release.

Yellow Bird Books' nonfiction and fiction selection is bolstered by literary-themed merchandise and items created by Aurora artists and makers. It's one of Nicolas's ways of supporting the local arts community.

The bookstore also recently partnered with actors from Paramount Theatre's "Bold" series for readings of "Peter and the Starcatcher." Staff have also worked with local artists on themed First Fridays events organized by resident artist Lisa Manning, who has created many of the storefront's windows and painted the oak tree mural for the bookstore's children's corner.

"As we spread the love of books and reading, we also try to support the importance of the arts in our community," Nicholas said.