Village Commons Bookstore’s last day open is Saturday

DeKALB – After nearly 51 years, Village Commons Bookstore will close permanently after its last day of business on Saturday.

VCB, located at 901 Lucinda Ave., Suite K, in DeKalb, has been selling textbooks and Northern Illinois gear to students and the DeKalb community since April 1970.

Jody Boardman, the VCB’s manager, said that the decision to close the store came for a variety of reasons.

“It’s a combination of things: the pandemic is a part of it, as well as not having students on campus and the decline of the textbook,” Boardman said. “Every semester, there’s more and more students using e-books. … One of our best-sellers is our clothing, especially during football season. This year, there really was no football season.”

Boardman’s father, Richard Boardman, opened VCB in 1970, and it has remained a family business.

“My whole family has worked in the bookstore, including my father and mother, my three sisters and my daughters,” Jody Boardman said. “We’ve had loyal customers through the years and generations of employees and students. We will definitely miss our customers and the relationships that have grown through the years. We are very, very grateful for all of their support.”

Richard Boardman, Jody Boardman’s father, worked in a downtown DeKalb bookstore after serving during the Korean War, earned his master’s degree from NIU in the 1960s, was the bookstore manager at Holmes Student Center and then opened Village Commons Bookstore in 1970. Boardman also served a president of the National Association of College Bookstores.

“At first, we had to alternate between selling textbooks and clothes during different times of the semester,” Jody Boardman said. “The only way to expand was up. In the late 70s, a second floor was added so we could sell textbooks year-round. … We’ve been known for our variety of items through the years, including a Hallmark card section, candles, stuffed animals, Greek gear and art supplies.”

All merchandise in the store has been marked down to 75% off, excluding class and course textbooks. Racks and shelving will be priced to sell. Clothing is limited to in-store only.

Students that have rental books from the bookstore still are responsible for the books they have not returned. Fall rentals were due Dec. 16. Students will be charged the full replacement price for any rental books not returned per the signed rental agreement.

“We will miss serving the NIU students and families in the DeKalb community and greatly appreciate the 51 years you have all given us,” a VCB post announcing the store’s closure read. “Thank you so much and stay well DeKalb.”

For information about Village Commons Bookstore, visit www.vcbs.com or call 815-758-0613.