Jake

Straight from the Runway to Rush Street  

“I think that Chicagoans have New York style in the winter and LA style in the summer,” says Jim Wetzel, one of the owners of Jake, a luxury boutique for men and women with multiple locations in Chicago. Their first store (on Southport Ave. in the Lakeview neighborhood) has been open for three years now.  

Wetzel and Lance Lawson decided to start their own business in the Second City when they found tons of boutiques but nothing that resembled their favorite shops in New York, so they searched for designers that had little or no representation in Chicago.   

“We look for value-added luxury,” says Jim, whom we quote throughout this review. “Pieces that have luxury price points but aren’t too out there.” He and his partner named the store after Jake Ryan, the character Molly Ringwald had a crush on in the teen flick Sixteen Candles.   

Some of the designers found at Jake include Barbara Bui, Philip Lim, and Helmut Lang, as well as lesser-known favorites like Timothy Hamilton and Oliver Spencer. “Because we prefer smaller labels that are a bit under the radar, we like to have conversations directly with the designers when we buy our merchandise."   

They also like to work the latest collection into their existing customers’ wardrobes. “We have tons of repeat clientele and we’ll think about where their wardrobes are going. But we also want to represent the designer’s vision so that customers see that element when they walk into the store.”   

Plans for spring 2007 include opening a new store in Winnetka. And the pair is looking forward to featuring new pieces by Richard Chai, “He’s a huge talent in American sportswear,” and Sari Gueron, “She’s really known for her amazing dresses."   

In fact, dresses are an essential part of the Jake women’s wardrobe – “We’re doing lots of short, flyaway dresses with tons of volume.” Wedge heels, an oversized clutch made of exotic skin, and a soft neutral color palette with plenty of whites and ivories are also key trends for spring.   

“Spring is softer and more ethereal than last fall’s Gothic look, with kind of a mod – 1960s meets 2000s – feel.” For men, there’s a return to the traditional American styles, such as classic chinos, denim jackets, and really luxurious cashmere. “It’s a moment where menswear is really classic.”             

Right now, to bring their customers even more of the special luxury for which they’re known, Lawson and Wetzel are working on several designer collaborations.

They’re joining forces with Lutz and Patmos (creators of super-soft cashmere sweaters), Neal Sperling (known for his amazing tees and knitwear), and Earnest Sewn (designer denim), on some exclusive pieces. “It’s neat to sit down with the designers in order to give our customers something no one else has,” according to Wetzel.

Judging by Jake’s extraordinary track record, it's a winning strategy. 
  

Jake has three locations in Chicagoland:  


3740 N. Southport Ave.   (Lakeview)
Chicago, IL 60613
773.929.JAKE


939 N. Rush St.   (Gold Coast)
Chicago, IL 60611
312.664.5553


565 Lincoln Ave.   (North Shore)
Winnetka, IL 60093
847.501.5253  

www.shopjake.com

 

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Store photos courtesy of Jake.

SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer – J. Zenn.

We recommend checking with stores for product availability. Suggested prices may change without notice. SeeMore Shopping strives for accuracy, but is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ.  04/07.