Chicago trendsetters have made the Bucktown/Wicker Park area a shopping haven. To say this place is hip, hot and happening is an understatement.

This fast-evolving neighborhood of single-story store fronts offers merchandise responsive to the needs, the tastes, and the buying power of this diverse and increasingly affluent area. New store openings are frequent occurances and contribute to the buzz of the area.

Within a two-mile radius of the area's Six Corners, the intersection of North, Damen and Milwaukee Avenues just northwest of downtown Chicago, shoppers can find an overwhelming selection of locally-owned stores for every taste and style.

The area's shopping is concentrated along four main streets: Division St., Damen Ave., Milwaukee Ave. and North Ave.

Bring your walking shoes, as this area is packed with local gems for everything from designer clothing for men and women, accessories, home furnishings, children's stores, specialty and thrift stores. It is not unusual to see many local businesses mentioned in well-known local and national publications.

Looking for Chicago designers? Chicago boutiques, including Habit and p. 45, are big supporters of local designers as evidenced by the availability of merchandise. Michelle Tan recently opened a boutique carrying her clothing line in addition to a small selection from other local talent.

Although some big names are here, including American Apparel, Crossroads Trading, and Urban Outfitters, the unique-to-Chicago boutiques are what attract the fashion-savvy who demand style that is affordably different. The real fashion finds are the select pieces from new designers and brands on the brink of discovery. Local store owners scour the world for these treasures, bringing them back to style-hungry Chicagoans. And their choices do not disappoint!

Bucktown/Wicker Park residents are not afraid to venture off the beaten path, and the stores they shop in reflect their celebration of the unconventional. As you can see, the shopping is as diverse as the neighborhood.

2006-2007

Store openings: Andina Buenos Aires, August Grocery Store, Beadniks, Bonnie & Clyde's, Cardcoctions, Cassona Home Furnishings, Coco Rouge Artisan Chocolates, Doggy Style, Free People, Goldilocks and Gremlins, Grace, Grow, Language, Levi's, Malabar Chicago, Michelle Tan, Red Dog House, Ritzy Couture, Roslyn, Scoop NYC, Spoil Me, TK Men, Veruca Salt, Zella Brown

Store Closings: Chemise, Create Jewelry Studio, Her/Him, Hot Pink, Jolie Joli, Juliani Shoes, Lola, Plush Living, Softcore, Steelo, Tatine Candles

Coming Soon: BCBG, Marc by Marc Jacobs (both on Damen Ave.)

Neighborhood Associations:www.westtownchamber.org, www.wickerparkbucktown.com

SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writers - S. Park and E. Engquist.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ. 03/07.

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