City Bookshop (Books - Lakeview)
3125 N. Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60657
773.880.8003
Lakeview is loaded with bookshops, from national chains Borders and Barnes & Noble, to locally-owned Unabridged Books, as well as two well-established used bookstores on Broadway between Diversey and Waveland. Is there room for one more?
The answer is City Bookshop. This latest addition to the Lakeview book market is made to order for the youthful neighborhood inhabitants. It’s a simple shop, where gently-used books line the walls and movable cubes are available for sitting. But that’s it. No bells and whistles, because the owners know all that really matters are the books.
And these books are not just in great condition, they're wisely priced – between $1.99 and $4.99 for a library hardcover Steinbeck. Because the shop is small, the selection is somewhat limited. But there is much to captivate nostalgic readers, including old hardcover copies of The Hardy Boys, and Bobbsey Twins that just may become collectors' items. And Little House on the Prairie books are here for everyone who never stopped loving the show.
There are plenty of copies of books by popular authors, like Nick Hornby, and loads of books on pop culture and music that show the store really knows its customers.
Passersby as well as bibliophiles routinely scan the shelves set up outside the store, where books are priced at fifty cents each, or three for a dollar. City Bookshop doesn’t have a coffee bar, but it's conveniently located next to an Intelligentsia coffee shop. So you can start reading your books right away – over a latte instead of later.
Coco Rouge (Fine Chocolates - Wicker Park)
1940 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
773.772.2626
Another new store in Wicker Park's growing shopping area, Coco Rouge could be a hot new Parisian boutique – its sleek interior decorated with bright red walls, red lights and silver drapes. But step inside, and you’ll discover a sweets shop with a treasure of fine truffles presented like precious jewelry.
Truffles are sold by the piece, each delicious little ball decorated and priced at about $2.00. And the flavors are original – rum, oolong/coconut, French lavender with honey. The staff is knowledgeable and will help guide customers to the right choice.
Can't wait to indulge? The shop invites you to relax and enjoy their confections on the spot, along with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or a specialty tea made to order and served at your table. (Note: there are just two tables at the moment.)
Those with more self-control can take a box home, or impress friends at a dinner party. Because these chocolates are good. Looking for a sweet treat after dinner at a local restaurant? Just come early. Coco Rouge closes at 8 pm.
Rugby (Men's &Women's Clothing - Lincoln Park)
1000 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-525-4627
Ralph Lauren’s hipper, edgier brand has opened a store on the popular Armitage Ave. in Lincoln Park. Rugby is one of only ten stores in the United States.
Rugby was created in 2004 to draw a younger crowd by competing with Abercrombie & Fitch and Benetton. With its namesake rugby shirts and plaid sportswear as well as funkier, sexier options, Rugby offers a preppy-chic look that captures the moment with a twist of nostalgia.
Rugby is decorated somewhat like a hunting lodge, with vintage sporting equipment like oars, wooden tennis rackets, and pictures of young men who look like they could have been on an Ivy League 1930 rugby team. Only this hunting lodge has hip pop music playing.
Along this vein, the men’s department has many of the rugby shirts and the classic, preppy styles that helped put Ralph Lauren on the map. The women’s department has a wide assortment of goodies – $34 plaid handbags, distressed jeans for $88, army pants with drawstring bottoms for $88, and a short dress perfect for a New Year’s Eve party for $288.
But the cutting-edge side of Rugby shows up on mannequins dressed in deliberately mismatched clothes, like a camisole with army pants or a bulky sweater with plaid hot pants.
Overall, the clothes aim for a fun balance between traditional and kicky, classic and sexy. Don’t miss this shop, especially for the holiday clothes.
We recommend checking with stores for product availability, prices and store hours. Suggested prices may change without notice. SeeMore Shopping is not responsible for errors or omissions.
SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer - C. Magnotta
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ. 12/08/06.
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