Shopping in Illinois
-
A
Niketown
It’s no longer the unique, museum-ish store it once was (outlets have cropped up in many other cities), but this Nike temple has all the flash and sparkle you’d expect from the shoe giant. It remains hugely popular, with every swooshed T-shirt, sweatshirt, jersey and high-top imaginable. A free running club takes off from here every Thursday at 6:30pm.
reviewed
-
Chicago's Downtown Farmstand
reviewed
-
Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store
Their soft drink fountain runs heavy on syrup so if you like it sweet fill ‘er up.
reviewed
-
B
900 N Michigan
This huge mall is home to an upscale collection of stores including Diesel, Gucci and J Crew, among many others.
reviewed
-
Powell's
This store for used-books can get you just about any book ever published. Shelf after heaving shelf prop up the well-arranged stock.
reviewed
-
C
Afrocentric Bookstore
‘Seeing the world through an Afrikan point of view’ is the slogan at this store, where big-name black authors give readings.
reviewed
-
D
Barbara’s Bookstore
For serious fiction, you can’t touch this locally owned chain. Staff members have read what they sell, and touring authors regularly give readings.
reviewed
-
E
Botanica
This slightly spooky, old-world storefront sells sacred candles, tarot cards, herbal remedies and devotional paraphernalia amid the dust and clutter.
reviewed
-
F
Jil Sander
Jil Sander’s minimalist colors and simple designs somehow manage to remain fashionable long after other trendsetters have disappeared from the scene.
reviewed
-
G
Wikstrom’s Gourmet Foods
Scandinavians from all over Illinois flock here for homemade limpa, herring and lutefisk. It sells over 4000lb of Swedish meatballs around Christmas time.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Vive La Femme
Plus-size shops for women are often woefully lacking in style. Not so at Vive La Femme, where larger women can find sassy and classy designs in sizes 12 to 24.
reviewed
-
I
Woks N Things
This busy store carries every kind of utensil and cookware you could want – pots, pans, wok brushes, knives. Don’t miss the baseball-bat-shaped chopstick holders.
reviewed
-
J
Porte Rouge
This sunny, French-kissed shop offers hand-painted crockery and chic kitchen accessories that make even the most marginal, grilled cheese-burning cooks among us look gourmet.
reviewed
-
K
Kate Spade
Beloved by the women of Lincoln Park, Kate Spade specializes in bags constructed with clean lines. This store also offers jewelry, shoes and sunglasses by a host of designers.
reviewed
-
L
Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng Co
Ten Ren is the place to buy green, red, white and black teas, plus the teacups and teapots to serve them in. They also sell thirst-quenching bubble teas at the counter.
reviewed
-
M
Red Balloon Co
When hipsters get good jobs and start having kids, this is where they outfit the li’l pups. Adorable clothes, classic children’s books and ’50s-style wooden block toys prevail in the cozy space.
reviewed
-
N
Europa Books
As the name promises, this store carries newspapers, magazines and books, primarily in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, but also in some non-European languages including Japanese.
reviewed
-
O
Buddhist Temple Gift Shop
Follow your nose into this quiet, incense-wafting storefront to contemplate charms and necklaces (for good luck and happiness), books on how to meditate, Buddha statues and other spiritual items.
reviewed
-
P
Brown Elephant Resale Shop
Proceeds benefit the Howard Brown Health Center, which specializes in health care for the GLBT communities. The shop has a consistently good selection of books, vintage furniture and kitchen items.
reviewed
-
Q
Powell’s
This leading store for used books can get you just about any title ever published. Shelf after heaving shelf prop up the well-arranged stock. Another outlet is located in Lake View.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
Midwest Stereo
This is a hub for DJ gear, both used and new. If you’re looking for a basic mixer or a Technics turntable (or a PA system that will quickly make you the talk of your neighborhood), this is your store.
reviewed
-
S
Casa de Soul
While the turntable in front blasts groovy tunes, check out the shell-inlaid coin purses, beaded handbags, unique clothing and earrings, and African wood-carved items (from the owner’s homeland).
reviewed
-
T
House of Sole
It’s not big, but this chic boutique carries an excellent array of mostly European women’s brand shoes. The owner knows her straps, heels and trends, and the well-curated selection sends shoe divas swooning.
reviewed
-
U
Climate
‘Eclectic’ doesn’t do justice to the array of items packed into this small store, including cocktail party kits, sassy dating guides and other tongue-in-cheek essentials for urban living.
reviewed
-
V
Flight 001
The brightly colored, hard-shelled luggage and the stock of travel gadgets will get a rise out of any would-be jet-setter. The store is as sleek as can be; you even get cashed out at a retro airline ticket counter.
reviewed