Noting that during winter "it can be helpful to have some escape or ray of sunshine to fully embrace the colder weather and brighten the mood," LoganSquarist reported that Chicago's City Lit Books "has proven to do just that for Logan Square residents since opening in the fall of 2012.... A local independent bookstore consistently ranked among Chicago's best, City Lit offers hand-written staff recommendations on many of its offerings and also serves as something of a browsing place when people are spilling out of the nearby cafes, bars and restaurants in the Square on a lazy Sunday afternoon."
Owner Teresa Kirschbraun cited the neighborhood's density of artists and writers and its passion for supporting local businesses as factors in her decision to open a bookstore. "For me it's about figuring out what people want to buy, and what they're interested in. It's a very smart literary community and so people are looking for things that surprise them when they come in here."
LoganSquarist noted that after "just a few short years City Lit has already made a significant mark on the literary scene in Logan Square, and for that matter Chicago. Considering the passionate ownership, and those willing to support it, it certainly shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon."