Joseph-Beth I love you! Please come and open a store in Chicago!
This bi-level bookstore has it all and could take on the Borders or B&N chains any day. An exciting Kids/Young Adults selection? Check. Great bargain books? A really nice variety. Programing? Gifts? Wrapping? Yes, they've got it all.
The bookstore also has a nice cafe with a full menu. I've come here for brunch and lunch a few times and been decently impressed. Its not the best cafe fare, but I enjoy the fact that they use recipes from popular cookbook authors (Paula Dean is a brunch favorite). A cute touch is the kids menu as a bookplate - decide what your child will order and keep them occupied with a book too. Ingenious.