The banner in the front window below the faded lavender awning reads “Open 1979. Open Today. Open Forever." When the original owners of the feminist bookstore decided to retire in 2014 they passed the torch on to two employees who have maintained the shop’s community-focused independent mission. Frequent author readings, book clubs, and other thought-provoking events have given Chicago’s diverse feminist and queer communities a place to find each other. Bonus: If you’ve seen Portlandia’s Women and Women First Bookstore skit, now you know where they're paying homage.