Hinsdale

Affluent Hinsdale is reminiscent of older North Shore neighborhoods. Located just 20 miles west of downtown Chicago, this 100-year-old village is rich in vintage architecture, wooded hills, and multi-million-dollar homes.   

Downtown Hinsdale is located south of Ogden Avenue and the Metra tracks. Which gives downtown shoppers two kinds of convenience: easy free parking, and proximity to the train station.  

This quaint area is an unexpected source of serious shopping. Perk up with a cup of joe from Cosí (at the train station), the corner Starbuck’s, or Corner Bakery. Then begin your shopping trip down one of the main shopping streets: Hinsdale Avenue, Washington Street, and First Street.  

On Hinsdale Avenue, which parallels the Metra tracks, stop into C. Foster Toys for an educational or downright fun gift for any child in your life. Make sure to look through the cheap toy bins for bouncy balls, yoyos, or other under $5 diversions. Look into Nicho Niche for jewelry finds, then venture down the alley to the Garden Collection for botanical gifts, urns, tools and seasonal decor. For casual to cocktail wear, check out Studio 910, a trendy boutique that features Diane Von Furstenberg and M.Missoni.  

Along Washington Street, look for golf finds at Player Club House, stocked with Calloway gear and clubs, or stop at King Keyser, a family-owned specialty sports shop since 1952, that carries Patagonia, Prada Sport, North Face and Polo apparel.  

Try to resistthe sweet treats at Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge, or try not to drool looking in the window of Toniand Marie’s Sweets & Savories. You’ll wonder how they came up with the idea of a tiny chocolate cupcake in a Champagne glass (brilliant and delectable, yum). For treats of a different kind, The Urban Sole is a funky shoe lover’s find with Franco Sarto, Donald J. Pliner, Biviel and Jose Saenz shoes.   

Continuing along Washington Street, Artquest Gallery ischock-full of folk art and frames. Finnie McClure boasts botanical prints, beaded purses and glass bead jewelry. Schoens carries women's everyday and comfort wear, and Excentrique hosts monthly trunk shows (March showed Linda Loudermilk, Roni Ri’s collections) and features “art-to-wear” apparel, Donald J. Pliner shoe collections, and very knowledgeable salespeople. There are the mainstream shops as well, Chico’s, The Gap, and Kid’s Gap, to name a few.   

Travel to First Street to discover Sweet William, an upscale boutique for the perfect occasion dress and professional tailoring on site, a Lori’s Shoes “coming soon,” and Littlest Offspring children’s duds. At Blue Mercury, the apothecary/spa, you can pick up Tocca candles, or a cosmetic treat ­– the latest Bliss, L’Occitane or Trish McEvoy product, or a glycolic peel or facial. At the end of the street, you’ll find a Lilly Pulitzer shop, and the reassuringly local Fuller’s Home and Hardware.    

Stop into Alixandra Collections for reasonably priced jewelry, Matt & Nat handbags, Miss Me jeans, and sterling stackable rings. The Yankee Peddler is a tiny space crammed with candles, holiday decor, books and wreaths, and Papyrus carries upscale stationery and cards. At Shop 10, you’ll findurban wear and accessories. FrenchToast, in a lower-level basement niche, is full of French-themed soaps, planters and wall decor.   

Explore the Hinsdale Flower Shop, where colorful cyclamens and antique wrought-iron garden sculpture abound, then pay a call on Kate & Company, a jewelry box stuffed with red coral trinkets and vintage lockets. If  you've worked up an appetite by now, stop into Zingelman’s for a hoagie, or Homemade Pizza Co. for a slice.  

If you have more time to dine, don't miss Salbute, a well-known gourmet Mexican-influenced restaurant with fresh, innovative specialties. The margaritas are gulp-worthy, but be prepared to wait in line on occasion (it is small). Try Embrace for lunch or dinner, a converted 1920's theatre that is part bistro/part boutique, with occasional live music in the evening. The Jade Garden on Washington will satisfy your Chinese food cravings.   

This turn-of-the-century village honors its heritage at the Hinsdale Historical Society, which recreates early life in Hinsdale (15 S. Clay). For more views of the past, don't miss the Ben Fuller Museum or the 150-year-old Graue Mill on the historic road to Oak Brook (3800 York Road), the only operating waterwheel gristmill in Illinois. Picnics of all sizes are welcome at Katherine Legge Memorial Park (County Line Road).   

Tips for the shopper: Very few shops are open on Sunday. Take gardening hints from the abundant planters decorating the shops' entryways. Enjoy the quaintness of this friendly village; you’re sure to add it to your list of favorite shopping destinations!           

 

2007:
Store openings: Hollis (May)

Store closings:  

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What You'll Find Here:

 

Accessories: Alixandra Collections, Embrace, Finnie McClure, Hollis, Lori’s Shoes, Nicho Niche, Shop 10, Studio 910, Urban Sole  

Apparel: Chico’s, Embrace, Excentrique, The Gap, Gap Kids, King Keyser Specialty Sports, Lilly Pulitzer, Littlest Offspring (kids), Schoens, Shop 10, Studio 110, Sweet William 

Grocery, Gourmet & Specialty Foods: Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge, Hinsdale Wine Shop, Toni and Marie’s Sweets & Savories  

Specialty Stores: Blue Mercury, C. Foster Toys, French Toast, The Garden Collection, Hinsdale Flower Shop, Papyrus, Player Club House, The Yankee Peddler

 

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Neighborhood Association: www.villageofhinsdale.org

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SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer - Meg'n Braida.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by SeeMoreShopping.   Publ. 03/07.