Frontline Distribution International

Frontline offers an authentic resource to the community to get all the necessary RastafarI & Pan-​Africab goods. Further, the store hosts tutoring sessions for kids, Peace Circles, and numerous Dub sessions at night to bring the community together.

I’ve been going to Frontline since 2001. They ALWAYS have a wide selection of books that will elevate your consciousness. I advise everyone in Chicago to patronize this bookstore. It’s only 1 of 2 Black bookstores in the city.
The #6 bus from State & Jackson will get you to 51^st and you can walk up to 52^nd and they’re right behind McDonald’s. Or you can catch the Metra. Or you can drive.
I love the way the shop smells. Their oils are NOT the typical oils you might buy from
. ALL of the oils I’ve smelled from Frontline have been exotic. I get the most compliments when I wear these oils.
The Brother behind the counter and Ras, the owner, are VERY knowledgeable which is one of the reasons I’ve come to this book store for so many years.

a great place to be! it’s definitely a bookstore full of black empowerment and enlightenment and there is nothing wrong with that. there are other miscellaneous things such as incense, body care products, clothing, etc. the second part of the book store that the other Unilocaler was talking about, it’s actually a room for discussion on certain days. it is covered with fabric over the threshold because there’s no reason for everyday customers go down there unless there’s a discussion happening. I love the place!

My Experience with Frontline was terrible. I wont be shopping here again, even though initially I thought I had found a new drop in and see whats new spot. I live all the way by midway airport and traveled to the opposite side of the city to purchase dvds. I called before I came to verify hours and that the movies I wanted were in stock. I get there, and, did not receive any service because everyone was too busy preparing for an open mic session. I finally locate someone that could help me, he rings me up and never once tell me that the store had a no refund policy. I got home the dvd’s didnt work so I called the store this morning to let them no I had a problem with the movies I purchased and that I was on my way to bring them back for a refund. I was instantly met with attitude from Sabrina the so called store manager. She was throwing major shade over the phone and said that I could not have a refund but I could exchange.
So here is where the problem comes in:
1. where is that posted anywhere in your store or on this receipt?
2. I dont want anything else out of your store.
3. If I can exchange I should be able to get my money back too then.
4. I traveled a long way to purchase bootleg movies from your store and now I have to travel all the way back over there to return them and you dont know if I can have my money back.
5. Im going to need an answer to this question «Am I getting my money back or Nah if I come all the way back over there?»
6. She tells me we will talk about when I get there.
7. Um no, I need to know if I’m getting my money back before I get there.
So pretty much I got major attitude because I didn’t want to keep dvd’s that didnt work.
Of course I get there and had to deal with the same thing in person. But I refused to stand up in that store arguing with somebody. I ended up getting my money back but I wont be back. I ended up Bumping into Sabrina at the Treasure Island Grocery store. She apologized: but the website list a refund/​exchange policy,
We will be happy to honor exchanges/​returns, providing that items are in good sellable condition and within 7 days of date of purchase.
​I guess she didn’t know this.

I love this store. I think it is important for a store like this to exist considering the fact history that is talked about or taught in schools barely scratches the surface of ppl of african decent contributions to civilizations all over the planet. The first reviewer’s response is very typical of one of those ppl who are oblivious to whats really going on in the world, how most blk ppl have no sense of self & have to actively seek out information regarding where we came from. What is pretty much taught in schools starts when we came over in slave ships, like we didnt exist at any point before that. like we had no other philosphies other than what we adapted to after we were brought here. What he should have done instead of running scared, was pick up one of those books & read it.
Other than the book selection, I like the fact they have a wide variety of body oils (when I dont feel like spending a ton of perfume this is my spot). I also like the fact they have all natural shea butter, mango butter & other handmade products from different vendors.
Ive always seen the owners be nice & respectfull to all patrons who have come in this store no matter the shade of skin.

Let’s set the record straight — I’m not a racist. I don’t see the Southside as being a «scary place» like some of my Northsider friends often say to me. I will hop on the #44 bus and take it all the way south to 72^th or so and get some Harold’s Chicken Shack and walk the streets and not think twice about it. I’m a fat white dude walking around in an area where I am the minority and I’m okay with that.
And then I walked into this store.
I saw the Jamaican-​style Rastafarian hats in the window and I thought this was a run-​of-​the-​mill store (or possibly a head shop). Maybe pick up one of those cool hats (especially if they sold one that comes pre-​dreadlocked) and check out any pipes or something.
I stepped in and realized it was 80% bookstore. Cool. I enjoy books.
*reads titles*
*gets freaked the hell out*
I didn’t realize there were so many books catering specifically to a certain race of people. Every book title contained «Black» or «African-​American» or some other variant. Some seemed more militant, some seemed more educational, and some seemed downright weird.
All the while, my girlfriend and I felt like we were getting weird looks from the shopkeep and other «staff» — people who were sitting around the store or walking out from the strange back room walkway covered with a decorative cloth. I’m pretty sure I caught a glimpse of the back room with a large banner reading «FRONTLINE» on it, which is the name of the shop but seemed more like some kind of underground organization, judging by the semi-​secrecy of the back room.
The other 20% of the store is for Rastafarian hats, incense sticks and some jewelry. Which was a lot less scary than the book selection, but it’s hard to be comfortable in that place once you think you’re being watched angrily and have already seen the books.
Maybe you’re not me and you won’t get that kind of vibe from the place. But those are the vibes I got. I was actually a little scared. And then on the way out we were handed a free magazine by the guy sitting near the door. Which was a pretty safe magazine. So maybe it’s not all that bad. They could really use with a friendlier atmosphere, though.
I’m really not a racist. But I’m really never planning on setting foot back inside that store again. Sorry.