The Green Read

08/13/2026

Once again we have a delicious assortment of books on our "Recently Published" shelves just waiting for you! 💚

08/11/2026

Choosing a used book is a simple way to reduce waste and make the most of resources that already exist. Instead of a new book being printed, packaged, and shipped, a secondhand book gets another chance to be enjoyed.

Stop by The Green Read and find a few new-to-you favorites.

Read. Reuse. Repeat. 💚

08/06/2026

Although we are sad to see The Green Spot go, we are continuing the mission of the Environmental Defenders to reduce waste and giving books a second life. We will continue to be here to provide gently used books to our friends, neighbors, and community. We hope you will stop by The Green Spot before its final day to thank our volunteers, grab a few more books, and say goodbye.

We thank our community for understanding and supporting the Defenders through a very difficult decision. 💚

To our Defenders members, patrons, volunteers, and community,

The Environmental Defenders Board of Directors has had to make some difficult decisions about the bookstores recently based on upcoming changes in lease agreements and related overhead costs, as well as their overall financial viability as sales have declined for several years. While these actions may seem sudden, I assure you that they have been under discussion by the Board and Defenders staff for quite some time.

A major function of the Board is to ensure the financial sustainability of the Environmental Defenders. Initially, the bookstores were supposed to be a fundraiser as well as a means of reusing books. For the past few years, we have tried numerous strategies to get the bookstores to break even or at least run at only a minimum deficit. In the last year, traffic at the Woodstock Mall has declined to such an extent that the Green Spot has not made a profit. The current location is simply no longer a viable option. After lengthy discussion, we have decided not to renew that lease. This decision was not made lightly.

As we will not be renewing the current lease, The Green Spot will be closing September 19, 2026.

Meanwhile, we have signed a three-year lease for The Green Read. The Board recognizes and understands that The Green Read is a vital community resource, and we continue to view The Green Read as a pillar within the Environmental Defenders. Our goal is to ensure that concentrating on just one bookstore, at a location that consistently sees more customers than the Green Spot, will allow us to decrease overall costs while maintaining an important community resource.

Moving forward, we want to maintain a presence in the Woodstock community. The Board and staff are working on feasible solutions. We want to genuinely thank all patrons, volunteers and our bookstore staff of The Green Spot for their dedication to our store and our mission.

Sincerely,
Bev Dow, President

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If you are a patron of The Green Spot, we appreciate your feedback and support of our bookstore. You may fill out a simple feedback form as your feedback will be heard and taking into careful consideration. Thank you.

https://forms.gle/mV1XEDeUaZ5bcxtP7

07/29/2026

Just a couple more days to Find Waldo!

07/27/2026

Join us next week, Thursday, August 6th for The Green Readers Book Club! We will be discussing The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

To learn more or be added to our bookstore email list, email us at [email protected]

07/24/2026

We're more than a bookstore. The Green Read is a place to connect, explore, and build community. Backed by the Environmental Defenders, we're on a mission to serve the our neighbors. 💚📚

07/22/2026

As a branch of the Environmental Defenders, we hope our community considers becoming a Defender this summer! Your support directly powers local programs and initiatives. 💚

07/20/2026

Good books. Good prices. Good for the planet.

♻📚🐝💚

Visit The Green Read
Monday - Friday
10am-5pm

07/18/2026

Can you find all the Waldos in Downtown Crystal Lake this month?
Stop by The Green Read today! He's hiding somewhere...

We're open Monday - Saturday from 10am-5pm. Find Waldo before he's gone!

Learn more about Where's Waldo: https://downtowncl.org/events/wheres-waldo/

07/17/2026

Something awaits you at The Green Read…. 📍 🔍❓

Our Where's Waldo prize table is getting full and it's only the middle of the month! Hurry to Downtown Crystal Lake to get in on the hunt for Waldo and you could win some great prizes!