Naperville

About 40 minutes west of Chicago (via Rt. 88), the suburb of Naperville was ranked #2 by Money Magazine in it's 2006 “Best Places in the Country to Live”  article. With its growing population (currently around 140,000), Naperville is not just a great place to live, but an exciting destination for visitors.  

Often referred to as a “city within a city,” Naperville is a mix of old and new. The bustling downtown area is nestled close to the Riverwalk, which ambles along the edge of the scenic DuPage River. Besides the typical tourist attractions of the Riverwalk, Naper Settlement, and Centennial Beach, and such popular events as Ribfest, the Downtown area of Naperville is a shopping mecca.   

Chicagoans and visitors may not know that this booming suburb is full of boutiques, resale and specialty stores, and antique shops.  Art galleries, museums, and a wonderful selection of restaurants round out the city’s offerings.               

Shopping in Downtown Naperville is concentrated along three main Streets:  Jefferson, Main, and Washington.  

Along Jefferson Street, Twist Boutique, which is located above Costello Jewelers, carries women’s trendy premium denim lines and fashionable accessories. For hot footwear brands, including Steve Madden, Chinese Laundry, Frye boots, and other designer finds, head to Lori’s Shoes, whose inventory parallels the Lincoln Park store on Armitage Street. Naperville Running Company will fit you with the perfect athletic shoe, as the clock in the front window ticks down the seconds left before the next Chicago Marathon. Antiques on Jefferson is a must-see for rare vintage jewelry. This shop has several floors offering home furnishings, dishes, books, and paintings.  

Two Naperville institutions are a must-visit. Fuel up on goodies at Naper Nuts and Sweets, a shop that offers everything from JuJubes to caramel corn, fine chocolates and ice cream. Anderson’s Bookshop offers many adult and children’s book selections, as well as famous author signings and a very knowledgeable sales staff.  

Venture to the west end of Jefferson Street to visit the only Illinois Isabel Bloom retail store where its' unique, cement sculptures can be purchased for the home and garden, and just around the corner along Webster Street, Papier Girl is a destination for fine stationery and invitations, and Bee Entertaining will help you entertain in style with its great selection of gourmet accessories and gift items.  

Dean’s Fine Clothing on Main Street has been open since 1959, and features Sigrid Olson and Karen Kane lines, as well as men’s custom suits and top-notch customer service. Shop Sur La Table for kitchen treasures, and stop into the popular retail stores J. Jill and White House/Black Market.

A newly opened store near the Main Street Promenade, Lil J’s Bohemia, carries Grateful Dead merchandise, clothing lines American Apparel and Hemp Sisters, and granny square ponchos, hand-sewn beaded tops and crocheted jewelry.  

Just a block away on Washington Street visit Melange, which exhibits unique home accents, then follow the back alley to Eye on Design, a charming jewelry boutique. For dog lovers, don’t miss Two Bostons, a pampered dog shop which has gourmet Birthday Bones, and fun doggie toys.  

Top off your day of shopping in one of Naperville’s great dining establishments. To quench your thirst, stop by Quigley’s, an Irish pub on Jefferson, where you’ll find the college crowd, or Jimmy’s, to people watch and get a cheap bowl of chili. La Sorrella (a Francesca restaurant) has upscale Italian dining.; Tango offers mango margueritas and Brazilian steaks and tapas. Nightcaps at Sullivan’s include the house pineapple martini, and Frankie’s Blue Room provides solid entertainment nightly.                        

If you are looking for culture, don’t miss Naperville Settlement off Aurora Avenue to see how Naperville looked in the early 19^th century, or visit the DuPage Children’s Museum on Washington Street to entertain the kiddies with interactive activities and bubble-blowing adventures.

You should plan on leaving with lots of shopping bags, a big smile on your face, and a note to add Naperville to your list of favorite shopping destinations.

 

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What you’ll find here:

Accessories: Carousel (Children’s), Clark’s, Gotskind’s Children’s Shoes, Lori’s Designer Shoes, Mephisto  

Apparel: Acorn, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Campus Colors, Coldwater Creek, Dean’s Fine Clothing, Eddie Bauer, Gap, J. Jill, Joseph A. Bank Clothiers, Lucy, Lil J’s Bohemia, Talbot’s, Twist, White House/Black Market     

Grocery, Gourmet & Specialty Foods: Cold Stone Creamery, Cookie Dough Creations, Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge, Naper Nuts and Sweets, Penzy’s Spices, Tasting deVine Cellar, Williams-Sonoma 

Home Furnishings: Beidelman Furniture, Country Curtains, Melange, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Roseland Home Decor  

Specialty Stores: Anderson’s Bookshop, Barnes & Noble,  Bee Entertaining, Canterbury Shoppe, Heritage Shoppe of Jefferson Hill, Hildago Fine Cabinetry, Irish Way, Isabel Bloom, Papier Girl, Pottery Bayou Inc., Sharper Image, Sur La Table, Wolf Camera

 

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Neighborhood Associations: www.naperville.il.us, www.naperville.net 

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 Other Nearby Shopping Destinations: Aurora

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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.