Kankakee bookstore Rubber Rose to be featured in 2025 Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap

A local bookstore in downtown Kankakee has put itself on the map — the 2025 Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap, that is.

Located at 111 E. Court St., Rubber Rose Books & Print became a part of the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association last year and is now listed on the popular promotional map.

The Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIBA) is a nonprofit trade association that supports and celebrates locally-owned and operated independent bookstores and booksellers throughout a portion of the Midwest.

Each independent bookstore that holds membership with the MIBA receives 400 road maps to give to customers so they can explore the stacks to their heart’s content.

“It’s such an honor to be on [the 2025 roadmap],” said Nicole Barnett, 31, owner of Rubber Rose Books & Print. “I’m hoping that it brings new business or just people that are on road trips, they can stop by. It’s really, really exciting.”

States included in the MIBA are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

“It just brings a good sense of community,” Barnett, of Kankakee, said. “I’m able to connect with other bookstores and booksellers that way.”

Rubber Rose is one of the only independent bookstores in a 30-mile radius.

“The fact that Kankakee is on the map is really cool,” she said.

Barnett took over the bookstore in August of 2022 while looking for a change in career. When she heard the original owner, Melissa Zigrossi, was going to close up shop ahead of moving out of state, Barnett, a former correctional officer, stepped in to take over the small business.

Originally a used bookstore, Barnett has added new books for sale along with items from local artists and vendors available for purchase.

Barnett said she tried to keep the store the same by keeping the community together and giving them a place to gather. She offers free coffee and tea, and currently a hot cocoa bar, in the store’s back lounge area.

“The community support has been so great,” Barnett said.

The shop has been focused on diversity and inclusion, she said. The store is also focused on affordability and accessibility.

“We want to make sure all backgrounds are represented in the books that we carry,” Barnett said.

In February, Barnett will be attending her first American Booksellers Association Winter Institute conference. This year, the conference is being held in Denver, Colo.

Barnett will get the chance to meet with other booksellers, authors and guest speakers to gain a deeper insight into the book industry.

She is also getting ready to release a Rubber Rose merch line such as hoodies, shirts, mugs and totes within the next six to eight weeks.

Barnett has a selection of books outside the store that are always free, she said. She changes the selection each week, and books can be donated to the store.

“We always take donations of any used books, and that’s how we keep our prices low for everybody,” she said.

The selection inside Rubber Rose spans many different genres of fiction and non-fiction along with books for children and young adults.

“There’s a little bit of everything,” she said.

Every Tuesday evening, the bookstore holds the Literary Spectrum Book Club. An author will be talking about their upcoming book via Zoom at the next club meeting at 6 p.m. today.

Barnett said she loves her customers, and some may have more knowledge on books than she does, she joked.

Barnett said she is doing work with local nonprofit organization, Lands and Hands Community Resources. A guest speaker will be at the bookstore to talk about birds as a part of National Bird Feeding Month, which is celebrated in February.

Rubber Rose is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more at rubberrosebookshop.com.

To visit the 2025 Indie Bookstore Roadmap, go to www.midwestbooksellers.org/indie-bookstore-roadmap.