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, and Cyndi Chan works from her studio at the Casa de Soul boutique. Many boutiques showcase jewelry and accessories from local talent as well.
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, Cardcoctions, Cassona Home Furnishings, Coco Rouge Artisan Chocolates, Doggy Style, Grow, Language, Lola, Malabar Chicago, Michelle Tan, Plush Living, Ritzy Couture, Roslyn, Scoup NYC, Spoil Me, TK Men, Zella Brown
Store closings: Create Jewelry Studio, Hot Pink, Jolie Joli, Lola, Softcore
Divison St.
In the growing Wicker Park neighborhood, a walk down Division St. yields a treasure of locally-owned clothing boutiques, home furnishings and specialty stores, mostly upscale, and a peek at the must-haves of the season. As this area evolves, with new stores opening in previously empty storefronts, it's not hard to see why Division St. garners the attention of shoppers.
For a look at the latest trends in clothing, Plein Aire and Public I carry premium brands with a classic yet stylish approach. Penelope's offers vintage-inspired finds for men/women, and Habit, a local favorite, showcases clothing and accessories from local designers. Newly opened Grow carries everything you need for baby from a large selection of organic clothing to accessories and furnishings.
For home furnishings, Porte Rouge carries tableware from France and Italy and a selection of kitchen products, Symmetry has area rugs from Nepal and accessories with an Asian flair, lifestyle store Plush Living offers comfortable sofas upholstered in Kashwere, accessories for the home, bed and bath, and beauty and sleepwear products for the entire family.
For gift items, Elevenzees is centered around health that the whole family will enjoy. Products include gourmet foods, tableware, home accessories, bath products, baby gifts, candles, and exercise gear. Tatine Candles offers deliciously fragrant soy-based candles created in-house, and a selection of holders, incense and bath oils. An·jé·nu, a fine paper boutique, carries greeting cards, invitations and other gift items, including notecards from philoSophie's and local designers.
And bring your pampered pooch to Doggy Style, a boutique with the latest in beds, treats, toys and clothing. Check out their raw food selections, organic toys and beds, and adorable clothing that will match your Kate Spade shoes. A doggy wash area is perfect for bath day.
What you’ll find here:
Accessories: Pump, Steelo
Children: Grow
Clothing Boutiques: Casa de Soul, Chemise on Division, Habit, Noir, Plein Aire,
Public I, Penelope's, Thr3ee Boutique
Home Furnishings: Cassona Home Furnishings, Plush Living, Porte Rouge, Symmetry
Specialty Stores: Alliance Bakery, An·jé·nu, August Grocery Store, Cattails, Coco Rouge Artisan Chocolates, Doggy Style, Elevenzees, Nina, Tatine Candles
Damen Ave.
The stretch of Damen Ave. from the intersection of North/Milwaukee to Webster Ave. extends about a mile, and is packed with locally-owned upscale stores selling everything for the entire family - clothing, accessories, home furnishings and specialty stores. This popular stretch in Bucktown continues to grow as evidenced by retail neighbors new to the block over the past year.
Upscale designer clothing and accessory boutiques for men and women line the street and include Apartment No. 9 (men), Belly Dance Maternity, City Soles/Niche (shoes), Helen Yi, Malabar (M/W), Michelle Tan, p.45, Raizy and Roslyn. Psycho Baby, Red Balloon and Rue 21 for the kids round out choices for the entire family.
Home furnishings selections span the world. Browse the upscale selections at Stitch for contemporary furniture, accessories and gifts, Wow & Zen for Asian antiques with a country feel, The Painted Lady for hand-painted, one-of-a-kind antique furniture, and Embelezar for exotic furnishings. C’est Moi carries home accessories with a feminine touch.
Specialty stores abound and include Goddess & Grocer for gourmet packaged and freshly prepared foods, Soutache for ribbons and embellishments to create your own designs, and The Red Dog House for pampering your pup.
What you’ll find here:
Accessories: Climate Home, Eye Spy Optical, G Boutique, Gem Jewelry Boutique, Raizy, Shebang, Stitch, Urbane Weddings, Virtu
Clothing Boutiques: Apartment Number 9, Belly Dance Maternity, Clothes Minded, D. Marie Boutique, Daffodill Hill, Helen Yi, HIM, Michelle Tan, Ms. Catwalk, Ooh La La, p. 45, Robin Richman, Tangerine, T-Shirt Deli, Vive La Femme
Children: Psycho Baby, Red 21, Red Balloon (The)
Grocery, Gourmet & Specialty Foods: Goddess & Grocer
Health & Beauty: Raizy
Home Furnishings: C'est Moi, Embelezar, Jeal Alan, Pagoda Red, The Painted Lady, Pavilion Antiques, Wow and Zen
Specialty Stores: Larkspur, Paper + Print, Soutache
Milwaukee Ave.
Shops along Milwaukee Ave. are an eclectic mix of designer labels, national clothing chains, and thrift shops.
For the latest fashion finds, locally-owned Hejfina (M/W), Language, and Jade are must-visits. Scoop NYC’s loft-like space carries designer labels for the entire family. Looking for more casual apparel? Check out the selections at national chains American Apparel and Urban Outfitters.
For women's accessories that only look expensive, stop into Spoil Me. Men and women will enjoy browsing the jewelry and accessory selections at The Silver Room.
Thrift or vintage lovers can search for treasures at The Brown Elephant, Crossroads Trading, Lenny & Me, Store B, US #1 Vintage Clothing and Una Mae’s Freak Boutique.
A few specialty stores are standouts. For some of the best bread and bakery items in the City, Red Hen Bread is perfect for a quick treat or lunch (take-out only). Next door you’ll find Findables, a spacious gift store that carries accessories for women, home, baby gifts, and tablewear.
What you’ll find here:
Accessories: Eyewant, John Fluevog, Spoil Me, The Silver Room
Clothing Boutiques: American Apparel, G-Star Raw, Hejfina, Jade, Language, Scoop NYC, Urban Outfitters
Gift Shops: Findables
Specialty Stores: Marshall McGearty Tobacco, Myopic Books, Reckless Records,Red Hen Bread
Thrift Stores: The Brown Elephant, Crossroads Trading Co., Lenny & Me, Recycle, Store B, US #1 Vintage Clothing, Una Mae’s Freak Boutique
North Ave.
North Avenue is less concentrated with retailers than nearby Damen and Milwaukee Avenues, but a walk along this block can yield some fashionable treasures.
Near the intersection of Damen, locally-owned Akira has four stores dedicated to finding affordable fashions and accessories for trend-conscious men and women. TK Men carries edgy casual wear to sophisticated designer menswear. CitySoles/Niche has a loyal following for its premium selections of men's and women's shoes, and Lille, a gallery-like gift shop, carries accessories to wear and display at home.
What you’ll find here:
Accessories: City Soles/Niche, Akira Details, Akira Footwear
Clothing Boutiques: Akira, Akira Men, Ritzy Couture, Running Away, TK Men, Untitled
Home Furnishings: Lille
Specialty Stores: Quimby's, Simply Canvas, Sound Gallery
Nearby Shopping Destinations: Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Roscoe Village
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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