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A potent concentration of famous retailers around Michigan Avenue and neighborhoods bursting with one-of-a-kind stores combine to make Chicago a shopper's paradise. Michigan Avenue's legendary Magnificent Mile lures thousands of avid shoppers every week. How often can you find Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys New York within walking distance of one another? In recent years State Street has regained some of its former glory as well, with discount department stores sharing prime real estate with trendier clothing boutiques and the Block 37 retail development.
Neighborhood shopping areas, like fun-but-sophisticated Lincoln Park, eclectic Lakeview, and the hipster haven of Wicker Park/Bucktown, offer countless independent stores that cater to every desire, whether Prairie tyle furniture, cowboy boots, or outsider art. And there are countless smaller shopping enclaves within these neighborhoods that have concentrated clusters of antiques stores, home-furnishings shops, high-end boutiques, and other specialty stores. Those averse to paying retail won't have to venture far to unearth bargains on everything from fine jewelry to business attire. When it comes to shopping, this is one city that has it all.
Be forewarned that a steep 9.5% sales tax is added to all purchases in the city except groceries and prescription drugs. Neighborhood shops on the North Side, especially those in Wicker Park and Bucktown, tend to open late—around 11 or noon. Most stores, particularly those on North Michigan Avenue and the North Side, are open on Sunday, although this varies by type of business (galleries, for example, are often closed on Monday); where applicable, more information is provided at the beginning of each category.
The selection here matches the warehouse proportions. A mammoth two-story space contains oversize garden ornaments, statuary, iron grills, fixtures, and decorative tiles. Architectural fragments—marble, metal, wood, terra-cotta—hail from historic American and European buildings.
"Why do parts of River North smell like freshly baked brownies?" is a question you hear fairly often. The oh-so-sweet reason: it's downwind from the Blommer Chocolate Factory, which has been making wholesale chocolates since 1939. More important, the retail outlet store is also here, so you can snap up your Blommer chocolates and candies at a discount—a handy tip to know when those aromas give you the munchies.
This former meeting space and concert hall, known as the Medinah Temple, was built for the Shriners in 1912. After it took over, Bloomie's kept the historically significant exterior intact but gutted the inside to create its first stand-alone furnishings store in Chicago. It's stocked to the rafters with everything you need to eat, sleep, and relax in high style.
More than 75 handpicked dealers make it worth the trek to the Broadway Antique Market (known as BAM by its loyal fans). Mid–20th century is the primary emphasis, but items range from Arts and Crafts and art deco to Heywood-Wakefield. All are wonderfully presented, and the building itself is a prime example of deco architecture.
A concept store by furniture giant Crate&Barrel, CB2 got its start right here in Chicago. Expect bold basics for trendy urban abodes, all sans big-ticket price tags.
This century-old store is a Loop institution. It's stacked to the rafters with cameras and darkroom equipment at competitive prices.
Daniel Burnham's 1904 Santa Fe Building is a fitting home for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Chock-full of architecture-related books, home accessories, and everything and anything related to Frank Lloyd Wright, its gift shop is also the place to sign up for one of the foundation's acclaimed tours, which are conducted on foot or by bus, bicycle, and boat.
Opened since 2013, Chicago’s sprawling Eataly location has a little bit of everything. Part market, part upscale food court, part microbrewery, with multiple cafés, and a gelato shop thrown in for good measure, it is a foodie’s paradise.
Loaded with new and vintage European and American furnishings, this decor store is elegance defined, with an offbeat touch thrown in for good measure. Look for tribal throws, geometric vases, handsome art and gardening books and the decorative odds and ends you never knew you needed. (Antique player piano roll anyone?)
Owner Lori Andre's obsession with shoes takes her on regular trips to Europe to hunt for styles you won't likely see at department stores. The result is an inventory that many consider to be the best in Chicago. Shoes by designers like Jeffrey Campbell, Vagabond, and Marc Fisher are sold in a self-serve atmosphere. Terrific handbags, jewelry, bridal shoes, and other accessories are also available.
In addition to being a normal pharmacy, this old-fashioned druggist also stocks all manner of homeopathic and herbal remedies, as well as hard-to-find European toiletries, cosmetics, candles, and natural laundry products.
One of Chicago's largest used-book dealers carries more than 80,000 titles and buys books from the public on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. This community mainstay also hosts regular music and poetry events.
Although maybe not as popular as it was during its Nike Town days, this five-story store in the heart of Michigan Avenue is still a tourist attraction. Many visitors—including professional athletes—stop here to take in the sports memorabilia, road test a pair of sneakers, or watch the inspirational videos. The shop includes a Nike Lab, where you can design your own kicks.
March through December, usually on the last weekend of the month, 200-odd stalls selling clothing, furniture, jewelry, books, and more get treasure seekers' adrenaline flowing. The top-rated event also includes an Indie Designer Fashion Market, showcasing one-of-a-kind wearables by up-and-coming local designers. Weekend admission is $12 at the gate ($10 in advance), and children under 12 get in free.
Reckless Records ranks as one of the city's leading alternative and secondhand record stores. Besides the indie offerings, you can flip through jazz, classical, and soul recordings, or catch a live appearance by an up-and-comer passing through town. Look for other locations in the Loop (26 East Madison Street) and Wicker Park (1379 North Milwaukee Avenue).
The Spice House draws rave reviews from local home cooks and glossy national food mags alike for its head-spinning range of top quality spices sourced from around the globe. At the brand’s Old Town outpost, an aromatic storefront with a modern apothecary vibe, you can shop for edible reminders of your Chicago sojourn in the form of spice blends created to capture the essence of the city’s neighborhoods.
Since 1980 this independent bookshop has maintained a loyal clientele who love its vast selection and dedicated staff. Known for having one of the most extensive gay and lesbian sections in the city, it also has an impressive array of children's books.
This feminist bookstore stocks fiction and nonfiction, periodicals, journals, small-press publications, and a strong selection of LGBTQ titles. The children's section also has a great array of books, all politically correct. Authors, both local and world-famous, often give readings here.
You'll find one of Chicago's best selections of fresh flowers here. Designed by architect Cynthia Weese, this breathtaking shop carries singular antique and vintage furnishings and accessories as well as a fanciful selection of candles, vases, tiles, and pots.
The shop owner here buys, sells, and appraises books, paintings, documents, and other paraphernalia associated with American military and political history. It's been around since 1938.
Pop into Accent Chicago for locally inspired gifts that range from prints of vintage Chicago Transit Authority posters to mugs adorned with the city's iconic skyline. In addition to the Water Tower Building store, this mini-chain also has a branch in the Loop (150 N. Michigan Avenue).
The main attractions here are old-school sneakers and hip urban fashions for a fresh generation of fans.
Young trendsetters flock to this mini-empire for fashion-forward threads at easy-to-swallow prices. The flagship women's boutique shares a stretch of North Avenue with offshoot men's clothing and women's shoe stores. Check the website for other locations.
An eclectic mix by modern masters and contemporary artists is balanced by French and Italian Modernist furniture from the 1920s to 1950s.
Alcala stocks more than 8,000 pairs of cowboy boots—many in exotic skins—for men, women, and children. The amazing array of Stetson hats and rodeo gear makes this a must-see for cowboys, caballeros, and country-and-western dancers.
Men's footwear essentials range from classic Italian leather wing-tips and slip-ons to casual moccasins and rugged boots. You'll find a second store in the Loop at 122 South LaSalle Street.
Kiddos from just about everywhere arrive here with their signature dolls in tow. There's easily a day's worth of activities offered at American Girl Place—you can shop the doll boutiques, browse in the bookstore, get some pampering in the salon, and have lunch or afternoon tea at the café, where dolls can partake in the meal from their own "treat seats." Brace yourself for long lines just to get into the store during high shopping seasons.
The French designer's famous takes on the classic white shirt sport hefty price tags, though they also show a careful attention to detail.
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