A Bricktown Institution Turns the Page: Bucket O' Blood Books Is Leaving Elston Ave — But the Story Isn't Over

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Avondale · July 31, 2026

Avondale is rallying around one of its most beloved neighborhood staples. Bucket O' Blood Books, the fiercely independent bookstore that's called 3182 N. Elston Ave. home for 16 years, has announced it will close its current location in November — but owners Grant and Jennifer McKee are making clear this is a chapter break, not the final page.

The decision comes down to the building itself: a leaking ceiling, water damage, mold, and ongoing deterioration have made the space increasingly untenable, and the McKees have opted not to renew their lease. For a store that has spent a decade and a half as a go-to destination for horror fiction, pulp paperbacks, underground zines, and the kind of curated weird-wonderful shelves that only an indie bookstore can pull off, it's a bittersweet moment. But the owners are already exploring future locations, keeping the Bricktown community's fingers firmly crossed that Bucket O' Blood's next chapter lands right back in the neighborhood.

For Avondale, a store like Bucket O' Blood isn't just a retail spot — it's a cultural anchor, the kind of place that draws readers, collectors, and curious first-timers through its doors and sends them home with something they didn't expect to love. If you haven't stopped by 3182 N. Elston Ave. recently, now is the time. Follow Bucket O' Blood on social media to stay up to date on their search for a new home — and let the McKees know Bricktown wants them back.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/17/bucket-o-blood-closing-avondale-shop-in-november-but-not-for-good/