Evanston has a variety of small businesses, selling everything from coffee to tennis rackets. These small businesses are well-established in the Evanston community, and many residents often opt to shop at local businesses instead of large chain companies.
Two well-established and popular small businesses in Evanston that Evanston residents gravitate towards are Bookends and Beginnings and Bennisons Bakery. Bookends and Beginnings is a bookstore located in downtown Evanston, with a separate used store, Middles Used Books, just down the street, which offers new and used books, as well as drinks from its bar. Bennison’s Bakery is also located in downtown Evanston, at 1000 Davis Street. Bennison’s is a popular spot in Evanston, famous for its baked goods and its history as a long-standing family business.
Bookends and Beginnings
In the 1980s, Nina Barrett moved to Evanston with her husband in hopes of fulfilling her dream to bring a local bookstore to the city. This dream finally came true in 2014, when Bookends and Beginnings opened its doors to the public.
Barrett is an accomplished food reporter, author, and chef who has been nominated for the James Beard Award three times, winning it twice. The James Beard Award is a U.S. award recognizing excellence in the culinary arts and media industry. Barrett’s husband, Jeff Garrett, has also built quite a career for himself, being an internationally recognized expert on rare and specialized library collections.
Together, the two worked to found Bookends and Beginnings, with its original location on Sherman Ave. The store was forced to relocate after its rent nearly doubled in 2022. Evanston’s community came together to help the store, creating a GoFundMe that raised over $100,000, contributing to a successful move to their new location at 1620 Orrington Ave. Along with the new location, they added a second shop down the street called Middles Used Books, which sells new and used books, along with drinks at its bar.
Bookends and Beginnings generally has a positive, open, and friendly atmosphere that causes many Evanstonians and its workers to fall in love with it. Katherine, a Bookends and Beginnings employee who has been working at the store for around three months, says she loves the environment that Bookends and Beginnings creates.
“I really appreciate the feel of the bookstore and just being in this cozy, comfortable place that is very relaxing,” said Kathrine
Katherine has always been a voracious reader, and the store provides a way to share that love for literature with others.
“I love being able to recommend books to people who have rediscovered reading,” remarked Kathrine.
Sophomore, Mekdes Boarini, gave high praise to all the employees, explaining that they were highly qualified and had fabulous book recommendations.
“The workers at Bookends and Beginnings are super sweet and helpful! They aren’t overbearing, which can sometimes push me away from a store, and they’re always willing to help,” states Boarini.
Shopping at a local bookstore, like Bookends and Beginnings, provides an intimate and enjoyable experience where customers can receive one-on-one service, helping them find what they need.
Sophomore Penelope Donohue really enjoys the store and recommends it to anyone who enjoys reading.
“Having a local bookstore is important for the Evanston community because it creates a great place to both encourage reading and expand reading options to people while supporting local businesses.”
Bennisons Bakery
According to Green City Market, Bennison’s Bakery, Evanston’s iconic family-owned business, was established in 1938 by Larry Bennison. In 1967, Guy Downer bought the bakery from the Bennisons’ family. He took over, but continued the traditions started by the founder.
In 1975, Guy’s son Jory Downer joined the Bennison bakery family, following in his father’s footsteps. Over time, many family members joined the crew. Bennisons will always be a place for family; it began with the Bennison family, and the Downers have continued its legacy.
Jory Downer took over when his father passed in early 2025. Jory has won many bakery awards, including the grand prize at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie in Paris in 2005, making him one of the best bakers in the world.
Bennison’s wide selection of delectable bakery items is the reason for the line that appears out their door on countless days. Sophomore Avery Laetz and junior Chiara Canay, Bennison’s regulars, mentioned some of their favorite and the most popular pastries at Bennison’s, such as the Paczki, a traditional Polish filled pastry, Croissants, customers frequently love their buttery croissants as a perfect morning treat, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Apple Fritters, Cinnamon Rolls, and European Pastries.
Blaine Downer, who is the daughter of owner Jory Downer and a very important employee and manager at Bennison’s, mentioned she feels it’s really the people who make managing Bennisons as great as it is: customers, employees, etc.
“Honestly, it’s the people. Every day feels a little different, but there’s this constant sense of familiarity, customers you’ve known forever, staff who feel like family, and the rhythm of the bakery that never really stops. There’s something really special about being part of people’s daily routines and big life moments at the same time,” explained Downer.
And, because the business is family-owned, it contributes to the community in special ways.
“Places like Bennison’s give a town its personality. We’re not just selling pastries, we’re part of traditions, holidays, and memories. A family-owned bakery sticks around, grows with the community, and actually cares about the people walking through the door,” stated Blaine Downer.
To create the high-quality, delicious foods that they do, working at Bennison’s requires patience and appreciation. Baking at that level takes a lot of time and care, meaning you can’t rush or cut corners.
“The balance. We do things the traditional way, real butter, real time, real skill. We’re also constantly evolving. There’s a deep respect for the bakery’s history, while still finding ways to keep things fun, creative, and relevant.”
Employees also learn many other valuable skills, not just how to bake.
“Working at Bennison’s has taught me much more than just European baking traditions. I’ve also developed strong communication and productivity skills. In a fast-paced and demanding business like this, there is always something that needs to be done. I’ve learned that even the smallest tasks play an important role in keeping everything running smoothly in such a constantly moving environment,” said junior Lara Friedman.
Bennison’s Bakery has remained a beloved staple in Evanston for almost 90 years.
“Bennison’s was originally a Jewel-Osco, and the building remains the same as it was in 1938, when Larry Bennison bought it,” mentioned Friedman. “This makes the bakery not only a place for great food, but also an important part of Evanston’s history and community legacy.”
Both Bookends and Beginnings and Bennisons Bakery bring quality products and personal touches to shopping in Evanston, which are only a few of the many reasons why Evanston residents choose to shop small in a time where large business corporations dominate.
