Seminary Co-op Bookstore begins new chapter with Nov. 21 opening in McGiffert House

On Wednesday, Nov. 21, the Seminary Co-op Bookstore opens its doors at 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. To commemorate the opening of the store's new location, faculty authors, students and staff members, led by a lone bagpiper, walked the short distance in a book parade from the Chicago Theological Seminary building to the Seminary Co-op Bookstore’s new home at McGiffert House, on Monday, Nov. 19. Carrying such works as Gods and Demons, Priests and Scholars, The Ideological Origins of American Federalism and Murder Most Foul, the group of book lovers marked the move in UChicago style. Upon arriving at McGiffert House, one by one, the faculty authors, applauded by guests, handed a copy of his or her latest book to Co-op general manager Jack Cella, before entering the new store and placing it on the front display table. Cella also thanked architect Stanley Tigerman, who incorporated into the new space some of the same ambient elements that longtime Seminary Co-op supporters have come to know. The Seminary Co-op Bookstore opened in 1961 with 17 members. It now has 54,000 member-owners and two branch stores—57th Street Books and the Newberry Library Bookstore.