The best book, hobby & craft shops in Elgin

18 book, hobby & craft shops we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Elgin’s best · Restaurants · Beauty · Nightlife · Bakeries & Sweets · Entertainment · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Shopping · Parks & Outdoors · Arts & Culture · Home & Garden · Health & Wellness · Sporting Goods · Cafes

Pinned in Elgin today

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Two pinned places a day in Elgin — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →

Paid placements are always marked.

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · 18 places · showing the latest additions first

Alternate Reality, Inc

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Comic book store stocking current and vintage issues, action figures and posters.

3149 W 111th St (Chicago)

“Comic book store stocking current and vintage issues, action figures and posters.”

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The Book Cellar

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Sandwiches, soups, salads & coffee served in a comfy eatery, part of an independent bookstore.

4736 N Lincoln Ave (Chicago)

“Sandwiches, soups, salads & coffee served in a comfy eatery, part of an independent bookstore.”

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Performers Music

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

From chamber scores and opera vocal selections to method books, manuscript paper, tuners, and gems like the Music by Black Composers…

410 S Michigan Ave #904 (Chicago)

“From chamber scores and opera vocal selections to method books, manuscript paper, tuners, and gems like the Music by Black Composers series, Performers Music keeps Chicago players stocked with the good stuff.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 5, 2026

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Goodtime Music

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

From PRS and Ibanez electrics to Breedlove acoustics, thumping basses, and Mesa/Boogie or Marshall amps, Goodtime Music has the toys, plus…

3 W Streamwood Blvd (Streamwood)

“From PRS and Ibanez electrics to Breedlove acoustics, thumping basses, and Mesa/Boogie or Marshall amps, Goodtime Music has the toys, plus Boss, MXR, and Walrus Audio pedals, lessons, and repairs to get you sounding dangerously good this week.”

From the Arlington Heights newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Run a Elgin business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

The Scent Queens Candle Company & Apothecary Shoppe

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Friendly candle store featuring housemade creations in creative scents alongside gift items.

3728 W Montrose Ave Ste 1 (Chicago)

“Friendly candle store featuring housemade creations in creative scents alongside gift items.”

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Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).

Pulaski Promenade Shopping Mall, 4070 S Pulaski Rd (Chicago)

“Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).”

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Midwest Buy & Sell

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Well-stocked store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, plus amps & accessories.

6019 W Irving Park Rd (Chicago)

“Well-stocked store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, plus amps & accessories.”

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Martha Mae Outpost

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Curated shop for pens and paintbrushes plus notebooks.

1727 W Grand Ave (Chicago)

“Curated shop for pens and paintbrushes plus notebooks.”

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Tommy's Guitars & Trading Posts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Laid-back shop for new, used & vintage guitars, amps, effect pedals & more, plus repairs.

2548 W Chicago Ave (Chicago)

“Laid-back shop for new, used & vintage guitars, amps, effect pedals & more, plus repairs.”

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Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).

The Point at, 3131 N Clark St (Chicago)

“Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).”

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pOpshelf

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Clean store stocking toys, snacks, decor and beauty supplies.

2815 N Western Ave (Chicago)

“Clean store stocking toys, snacks, decor and beauty supplies.”

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Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).

Midtown Plaza, 2490 N Elston Ave (Chicago)

“Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).”

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Ceasar's Music of Illinois

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Resource for musical instruments with repair services available.

3407 W 26th St (Chicago)

“Resource for musical instruments with repair services available.”

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Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).

436 Randall Rd South Elgin Crossing (South Elgin)

“Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).”

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Old Town School Music Store

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Music shop featuring classes, plus instruments & educational materials from around the globe.

4544 N Lincoln Ave (Chicago)

“Music shop featuring classes, plus instruments & educational materials from around the globe.”

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Guitar Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Music store, specializing in guitars and basses.

7250 S Cicero Ave C (Chicago)

“Music store, specializing in guitars and basses.”

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Atlas Stationers

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Veteran retailer stocking basic office supplies plus custom stationery, technology & furniture.

227 W Lake St (Chicago)

“Veteran retailer stocking basic office supplies plus custom stationery, technology & furniture.”

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Chicago Music Exchange

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Vintage, new & used guitars plus other instruments & gear in a polished space with an acoustic room.

3316 N Lincoln Ave (Chicago)

“Vintage, new & used guitars plus other instruments & gear in a polished space with an acoustic room.”

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