Sep 23
1006 W. Armitage, (773)477-7505, armadioboutique.com 
(1 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: Just Cavalli, D&G, Gianfranco Ferre, Moschino, C’N’C. Owner: Maira Okuleye, who studied fashion design at Columbia College, is currently working on her own line, Hashimi, to debut next year. Vibe: Sleek, chic and ultra modern. Silver and black are the dominant colors, décor is of the minimalist variety, and clubby music plays softly in the background. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Notice-me ensembles with an edge. The Armadio devotee loves to see-and-be-seen, and will easily be spotted at the hottest bars, restaurants and clubs. Shopper’s Perks: Because Okuleye is a designer, she selects goods with a designer eye. Clothing here features quality fabrics, stunning fits and attention to detail. Okuleye also offers shopping by appointment, complete with champagne, treats and personal-shopping expertise.
Armadio
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Sep 23
1101 W. Webster, (773)477-1101 (1 votes, average: 1 out of 5)
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Goods: Shoes, bags and jewelry for women. Designers: Shoes by Cynthia Vincent, Sigerson Morrison, Loeffler Randall and Jean-Michel Cazabat; jewelry by Me & Ro and Andrea Fohrman; bags by Rebecca Minkoff, Bird and Katherine Kwei. Owner: With years of retail experience under her belt, Kira Price found the time was right to open her own shop. Vibe: Classic and rich. Dark wood, Persian rugs, deep purple walls, chocolate-brown ottomans and tin ceilings provide simple accompaniment to shoes with the same minimalist aesthetic. A small shelf provides coloring books and a Mr. Potato Head for the little ones. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: A swank store opening event followed by dinner at Table Fifty-two and drinks at Zed451. Shopper’s Perks: Price has a cabinet full of wine and glasses, and provides refreshments to weary shoppers. She and manager Joy Koizol also offer closet consultation, personal-shopping services and can play host to shopping parties and events.
Aberle
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Sep 23
1944 N. Damen, (773)292-0510, grasshopper510.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Colorful, classic jewelry created out of recycled items like phone cards and hairclips; artwork made from recycled street signs; body lotions, shower gels and candles; cute clutch purses made from recycled candy wrappers; baby bibs and books. Designers: Jewelry from Toby Pomeroy and Prismera; Colette candles, Entermodal clutches; home décor from Russell Johnson and OneEighty Design. Owners: Jean Taylor and husband Michael Roberts opened this eco-friendly boutique after years of brainstorming “green” entrepreneurial ventures. Vibe: The brightly lit shop fuses a modern-art-museum vibe with a cozy living room. Grasshopper 510 uses the elegant store fixtures, mirrors and the cash wrap from the previous boutique, sticking true to the “reduce, reuse, recycle” philosophy. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: Eco-chic, quirky and utterly original. The accessories here are as much conversation pieces as wardrobe essentials; and since most items are easily gift-able, this is the store for people who don’t like to show up empty-handed. Shopper’s Perks: Every product in the store is made from organic, recycled or sustainable materials, so your eco-conscience remains clean. Need we say more?
Grasshopper 510
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Sep 23
2027 N. Damen, (773)292-1120, hunnyjewelry.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing, accessories and jewelry for women. Owners: Charyl Witz of Hunny jewelry hooked up with Karen and Jen Nielson of SheShe clothing to open this all-in-one shop. “We like fashion and we like to work together,” says Witz. Designers: Clothing from Sir Alistar Rai, J Brand, Velvet, Fashion Spy, Rebecca Taylor, Alice + Olivia; jewelry from Lulu Frost and Lana. Vibe: The exterior black-and-white sign is a nod to the interior’s elegance. Inside the neutrally decorated shop, jewelry is housed in sophisticated armoires, chandeliers radiate glamor and displays feature combined clothing and jewelry for ensemble inspiration. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: A gal who has her act together, she effortlessly combines current trends with classic pieces. Head to Juicy Wine Company for a glass of vino, then Piccolo Sogno for Italian. Shopper’s Perks: Witz and the Nielson girls are abreast of the latest Hollywood trends—many of the items in their shop are regularly seen on celebrity fashion icons.
Hunny/SheShe
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Sep 23
2108 W. Roscoe, (773) 244-3100, shopfixture.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Jewelry, handbags, candles, wall art, stationery, home décor and other perfectly giftable items. Designers: Handbags by Hobo, Latico and Big Buddha; bath goods by Thymes; jewelry by Deana Rose, Prima Donna, Dogeared and Ayala Bar; artwork by Heather Gentile Collins and Tamara Hensick. Owner: Former wholesaler Patti Carr originally opened her gift-filled shop in Logan Square, but moved to quaint Roscoe Village three years ago. Vibe: Energetic, cluttered and colorful, with upbeat worldwide music from Putamayo causing a few spontaneous dance moves as you shop. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: The gal who has the perfect gift for any occasion. Whether it’s a housewarming, a baby shower or a birthday party, her perfectly wrapped present is always tailor-made for the recipient. Shopper’s Perks: Fixture carries an array of gifts that can be easily monogrammed or personalized, and they offer complimentary gift wrapping, for those who grab their gifts on the way.
Fixture
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Sep 23
2211 W. Roscoe, (773)248-1110, itsacoolerplanet.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Organic clothing made from chemical-free fabrics, shoes made from recycled car tires, eco-friendly housewares; messenger bags made from recycled bicycle inner tubes. Designers: River Blue Canoe, Under the Canopy, Simple Shoes, Oscar + Belle, Pixel Organics, Maggie’s Organics, Ag bags. Owners: Heidi Bailey and Krista White opened A Cooler Planet after they realized that many eco-friendly products were hard to find, and they wanted to help uncover beautiful, sustainable items. Vibe: Bailey says she hopes to create “a positive place for positive change.” That energy radiates through, as after one visit, you’ll embark on at least two “Save Mother Earth” missions. Price Range: From $2.50 for an organic chocolate candy bar to $1,500 for an organic mattress. The Look: Comfy-looking and eco-conscious blankets, soft organic towels, eco-friendly cleaning products and more make going green seem logical and fun—and a cooler planet indeed. Shopper’s Perks: With so many daily items featured here, eco-consciousness is inextricably linked to day-to-day activities.
A Cooler Planet
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Mar 20
1937 W. Division, (773)276-2323, beadniks.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Exotic necklaces and earrings of all materials, reasonably priced. Designers: All the jewelry is handcrafted by the owners. Owners: Mary Tokarz and Lauryn Keenan opened up the shop to showcase their handmade pieces and provide a crafting resource for the community. Vibe: friendly and educational, just like you remember art class—there’s even an organic section! The crowd is mainly female, looking for a wild accessory or a cache of candy-colored beads. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Hand-dipped incense, Czech glass, batik beads, ivory mammoth tusk jewelry, ojime beads and more. Pick up a bohemian, wooden-looped necklace or a chic, looped, mesh-gold strand. Shopper’s Perks: Private party options and workshops abound here. Ask owners about the Tuesday night crash-course, birthday and bridal party options and even the tween class. The Thing for Spring: Big is in. Stock up on jewelry with a tribal slant and vintage items.
Beadniks
Mar 20
1740 W. Division, (773)227-6225, shopandina.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Women’s purses, belts, shoes, scarves and jewelry, all imported from Argentina. Owner: Argentina native Gonzolo Barenas’ boutique was inspired by the street fairs and bazaars in Buenos Aires. Vibe: Posters of Argentina dot the walls, while Argentinean music plays overhead. Plants decorate the displays, and the goods provide punches of color in an otherwise black and wood room. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: From the office to Lumen, spice up any outfit with buttery leather or rich suede bags and belts, then shine it up with some sterling silver jewelry. Shopper’s Perks: Shopping at Andina will give you a distinctly unique look—you can’t find these accessories at H&M.
Andina Buenos Aires
Mar 20
1015 W. Lake, (312)226-2247, bessandloie.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Bags and accessories. Designers: Well-loved labels like Hayden-Harnett, as well as lesser-known designers like Zina Eva; on-site custom lip care from Abbe Silverman. Owner: After years among Paris and New York’s most fashionable, Allyson Holleb decided it was time to come home and run her own business. And there’s no question this is HER business. Only brands she loves make it to the shelves, and Allyson’s inviting personality and extensive knowledge of the industry separate her shop from the crowd. Vibe: The loft-like space is decorated like a grandmother’s living room, complete with vintage sofas, family pictures and chocolate-chip cookies. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Not your classic bags, but never over-the-top. These are statement pieces, but the statement isn’t about the size of your bank account. Shopper’s Perks: An onsite kitchen stocked with snacks. The Thing for Spring: The patent-leather trend holds over from fall, and bright colors decorate many of the store’s accessories.
Bess & Loie
