CHICAGO (November 14, 2006)—Half Price Books, the nation's largest new and used book store chain, is expanding its presence in Chicagoland by opening new stores in Palatine and Bloomingdale on Thursday, November 16.

The new openings will mark Half Price Book's second and third locations in the Chicago area and the 87th and 88th stores nationwide. The area's first location, in Niles, is celebrating its one-year anniversary this week.

The Palatine store occupies 9,600 square feet and is located in Park Place Shopping Center at 1319 North Rand Road, and the 12,700 square foot Bloomingdale store is located in Bloomingdale Court Shopping Center at 366 West Army Trail Rd. The two new stores will collectively add 30 jobs to the communities.

"The success of our Niles store indicates that there is a strong local demand for Half Price Books' unique approach to buying and selling books and other collectibles," said Sharon Anderson Wright, president and CEO of Half Price Books. "We've studied the demographics around Chicago for a long time, and we think Palatine and Bloomingdale are both ideal locations to expand our presence."

The family-owned bookseller is recognized nationally for its dedication to literacy projects and environmental issues, a mantra that co-founders Pat Anderson, Wright's mother, and Ken Gjemre established with their first store in 1972.

Every Half Price Books store features a unique inventory that ranges from publishers' overstock to collectible treasures that local patrons sell to the in-store buyer. "Our stores are unique in that we offer a different inventory than other major retail bookstores," said Wright. "There will be something different every time you come in, and since consumers can sell their books directly to us, many items aren't available in other bookstores."