Amid clapping and laughter, one of the final remaining employees took his last steps out of the Gurnee Borders on the afternoon of Sept. 16. Shouts of goodbye and cheers for the departing worker left a bittersweet imprint on the moment.

After 11 years in business, the store has closed its doors for good. But the downfall of the national chain store could mean opportunity to gain new customers for independent shops. Local book lovers still have many area options for browsing the stacks, from Goodwill and thrift stores to specialized sellers. Here are several area options:

Café Book

395 Lake St., in Antioch

847-395-2223

www.cafebook-antioch.com

A sign above the coffee bar touts the phrase, "Be warm, be welcome, be at home," and that sentiment is echoed in the cozy interior of this café and bookshop.

Readers will find comfort and a taste of vintage with old tables scattered throughout the bookshelves, warm chocolate-tinted walls, oversized chairs and a tin ceiling. The music piping through the speakers is decidedly mellow and emphasizes the quiet, intimate setting of the store.

Café Book also has an extensive café, serving up sandwiches, soups, baked goods and gelato.

This Old Book

138 Center St., in Grayslake

847-548-6951

www.thisoldbook.com

This is one smartly-scented used book store.

“People always make the comment, ‘It smells good,’” owner Dick Navarre said of his shop. “Most used bookstores have a mildew aroma from books that are mildewed or moldy. I won’t allow those in the store. Consequently, it smells good.”

This philosophy has worked well, and after 10 years in business and 50,000 books in stock, the shop is as bright and cheery as a brand new store.

Navarre takes pride in the fact that he does not buy everyday reading material. Standard literature in the store comes from a book exchange program – people bring in books and receive store credit based on the condition of the item.

Navarre's love of the written word is emphasized in his advice for readers: "Buy a book!" he says. "Bookstores are disappearing rapidly. We are becoming dinosaurs. That's OK with me; I don't mind being one of the last of the Mohicans. If you love this store, keep coming back and keep buying books, and we'll stay here. We've managed to survive 10 years, and I'll be here another 10 hopefully."

Lake Forest Book Store

680 N. Western Ave., in Lake Forest

847-234-4420

www.lakeforestbookstore.com

This independent bookstore only carries new books, which are all handpicked by the owner, Sue Boucher.

“Some 20-year-old buyer in New York City doesn’t buy the books,” Boucher said. “I buy the books, so we know our customers.”

Boucher also tries to maintain a strong link to the Lake County community through partnerships with local libraries, including bringing authors in for special events. Once or twice a month, the bookstore has its own author luncheons in addition to the library events.

Lake Forest Book Store opened in 1949 and has stood the test of time by keeping up to date on the latest trends – such as electronic readership. Readers can visit the shop on the web and buy eBooks through Google at www.ebooks.com.

Location also weighs in the store’s favor. It’s located across from the Lake Forest Metra station, so those waiting for the train can tick the minutes away in the pages of a book.

Through the pages

Area residents share their Gurnee Borders memories moments:

• Shirley Melton Carson, Gurnee: Purchasing books for friends and having a gift wrap option. Visiting with friends in the bookshop cafe. Calling ahead for them to locate and have books waiting on hold.

• Jennifer Eagar, Gurnee: Hot chocolate! Then browsing their clearance section for deals on fun, random books.

• Sharon Wichman, Antioch: Taking my kids to story time in the morning when they were tiny.

• Rita McNeely, Round Lake: That was where my husband and I met for our first date! We spent about an hour in the history section. That’s how I knew he was the one.

• Heidi Nader, Grayslake: There’s that one older gentleman [who worked] there that seems to know everything about everything. I would always listen to him give out great recommendations to people on all kinds of topics or other authors they might enjoy.