Dec 03
Shop Girl has closed up shop. They haven’t responded to our request for details, so we’re just guessing that this godawful economy is the culprit. Another reminder to shop local for the holidays, sadly.
Oct 08
Lenny and Me has been saved. Owner Ana Camino reports that the popular Wicker Park shop took over the old Brown Elephant space on Milwaukee Avenue:
“Lenny and Me did not close after all. We were able to relocate right next door to our old location to a larger space. We still carry our great vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories and now with our larger space have expanded into home furnishings with lots of vintage and mid century modern pics.”
New deets: 1459 N. Milwaukee, (773)489-5576. Open seven days a week, 11am-7pm.
Mar 20
Update: Amisha Boutique is closed as of September 2008.
2019 W. Division, (773)227-7878
Goods: Clothing and accessories for women and men. Designers: Morgan, Basil & Maude, Johnny Wash. Owners: Twin sisters Iesha and Amina Kandeh fled West Africa when they were 15 years old. Vibe: “It’s like a modern, hip version of Victoria’s Secret,” says Iesha of her pink-walled boutique. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate (the great majority of merchandise is under $100). The Look: Iesha describes the store’s inventory as chic and down-to-earth. “Our clothing is hip and nice—we want the younger generation to look classy, not trashy.” Shopper’s Perks: A boyfriend-friendly lounge offers football on flat-screen TVs.
Mar 20
As of August 2008, Josephine is closed.
1405 N. Wells, (312)274-0359, josephineonline.com
Goods: Women’s shoes and bags. Designers: Chloé, Missoni, Giuseppe Zanotti, Sergio Rossi, Tania Spinelli, Etro, Diana Broussard, Laurence Dacade, Jil Sander, Giambattista Valli and Martin Margiela. Owners: Twin sisters Nicole Shockley and Danielle Rego named the shoe salon after their glam grandma Josephine, whose motto was always leave the house looking amazing; you never know who you’ll meet. Vibe: Josephine feels like a straight-out-of-Beverly-Hills shoe salon from a bygone era. In the marble-paved, circular lounge, leopard-print pillows rest on a pink tasseled sofa; an elegant antique ashtray stands nearby and a crystal chandelier hovers above. Help is Old World, too (read: polite and attentive). Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. Shopper’s Perks: Stop by at sale-time to stock up on designer shoes for fifty-to-seventy-five percent off. The Thing for Spring: Color, wedges and platform shoes.
Mar 20
Update: Shirts off Sheffield is closed as of September 2008 but Shirts on Sheffield remains open.
3506 N. Broadway, (773)472-1800
Goods: Men’s dress/casual shirts, pants and accessories. Designers: More than 100 designers. Owner: Gus Isaacson found the Lakeview market didn’t want to head west to his brother store (actually located on Sheffield), so he went east. Vibe: This studio-apartment-sized location concentrates more on the goods for sale than its interiors, with a no-fuss atmosphere for the dudes; basic off-white walls, standard lighting and hanger racks are the main décor but, really, it’s all about the shirts. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: The guy wants a shirt for every occasion—one that the other guy won’t have—and the selection ranges from professional to rock-star edge. Shopper’s Perks: The associates are always ready to help find the perfect shirt for any occasion. They offer sizing instruction. Only six shirts of each style are available to maximize uniqueness of product. The Thing for Spring: Look for fitted shirts without pockets.
Mar 20
UPDATE: Heelz is planning to close, as of August 2008.
69 E. 16th, (312)235-0467, heelz.net
Goods: Italian shoes, accessories and apparel for women. Designers: Claudio Merazzi, Casadei, Giuseppe Zanotti, Luciano Padovan and Francesco Sacco. Owner: James Newsome spent years in retail management before opening the doors to his own foot-friendly boutique. Vibe: Shoes are meticulously showcased in spotlighted white shelving along the walls. Polished wood floors look none the worse for stiletto test-drives. Pink sofas invite shoppers to sink in and slide their feet into Italian leather. Price Range: Luxury. The Look: This Midwestern Imelda would rather forsake her rent than leave the house in flip-flops; she does her laundry in stiletto heels. Shopper’s Perks: Complimentary champagne brings an element of soiree to the shopping experience.
Mar 20
UPDATE: Zone is no longer a retail store as of September 2008; it now functions as an atelier for the Zone label.
1154 W. Armitage, (773)472-4007 
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Goods: Clothing for women. Designers: Pamela Vanderlinde. Owner: Pamela Vanderlinde is a women’s wear designer who was trained in London. She has a penchant for rich fabrics and designs with an East-meets-West mentality. Vibe: Enter the tucked-away shop by buzzer only. Inside, find a loft-in-the-city space filled with gleaming hardwood floors, exposed pipes and a rainbow of silky, lush fabrics. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Saville Row-worthy tailoring nips and tucks sumptuous patterns and colors. Suit jackets inspired by the movie mavens of the thirties and forties—think Katherine Hepburn in color. Shopper’s Perks: Free alterations, custom-made designs. This store is open by appointment only, which elevates the VIP vibe.
Mar 20
Update: Shop Girl is closed as of December 2008.
1206 W. Webster, (773)935-7467
Goods: Women’s clothing and accessories. Designers: Trina Turk, Bailey 44, denim by Joe’s Jeans and J Brand, select pieces by owner Kate Krause Prange, jewelry by Ulia Carella. Owner: Well before boutiques were a Chicago sidewalk staple, Kate Krause Prange founded ShopGirl to bring designer clothes and good customer service to the North Side. Vibe: Chic brown and pink walls, and fashion-forward sales associates make ShopGirl the place to bring out your inner pretty woman. Heck, Julia Roberts herself has shopped here. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Bohemian fabulous. A stateside Sienna Miller. Shopper’s Perks: Personal shoppers, in-store bachelorette parties and charity events, and—listen up, hubby—beer for the patiently waiting men.
Mar 20
UPDATE: O&I is now closed; Piggy Toes has returned to selling only children’s shoes as of September 2008.
2205 North Halsted, (773)281-5583, ptoes.com (for children’s shoes)
Goods: Shoes for men, women and children. Designers: Naturino, Mod 8, Camper, Moschino and L.A.M.B. for kids; Alexander McQueen, 96 Hours, Coclico, Ted Baker, Toms and Ugg for adults. Owner: Husband-and-wife team Michael and Jennifer Thomas created an adjoining adult shoe store for the parents of their Piggy Toes clientele. O&I is named after the Thomas’ children, Olivia and Ian. Vibe: A cute, kid-friendly (think cozy bench and rocking horse) room attaches to a sunny space with shoes adorning the walls and tree-like display racks. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Clean, unique styles that are comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Shopper’s Perks: When there are only two or three of a shoe style left, they put it on sale immediately, regardless of the season. The Thing for Spring: Metallic shoes provide sparkle throughout the store, while patent leather stays popular for both kids and adults.
Mar 20
UPDATE: Flirt is closed as of September 2008.
3449 N. Southport, (773)935-4789, shopflirt.com
Goods: Women’s clothing and accessories. Designers: Charlotte Tarantola, Saja, To The Max, Rock & Republic, Hobo International, Puella, Kensie, Porridge and Ranahan. Owners: Channing Blair Hesse and Lynn Ellenberger met while working as partners at a Chicago law firm and opened Flirt to combine their interests in fashion and business. Vibe: An artsy loft apartment, with racks of clothes lining the periphery and a zebra-striped sofa strewn with hot pink throw pillows taking center stage. Exposed-brick walls and an elaborate chandelier, along with a vintage vanity piled high with belts, add to the homey feel. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Frilly, cheeky duds for an evening of drinks in the Southport corridor. Shopper’s Perks: Check the boutique’s Web site for regular sidewalk, trunk and end-of-season events.
