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.

UPDATE: Armadio has closed as of May 2009

1006 W. Armitage, (773)477-7505, armadioboutique.com
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

UPDATE: As of January 2012, Aberle is closed.

1101 W. Webster, (773)477-1101
Goods: Shoes, bags and jewelry for women. Designers: Shoes and boots by Loeffler Randall, Fiorentini + Baker and Jean-Michel Cazabat; jewelry by Andrea Fohrman; bags by 49 Square Miles, Rebecca Minkoff 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 Koziol also offer closet consultation, personal-shopping services and can play host to shopping parties and events.

Aberle

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

UPDATE: As of January 2011, Grasshopper 510 has closed its physical location.

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 Mike 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: 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 OCTOBER 2009

UPDATE: As of January 2012, Strut is closed.

1744 W. Division, (773)227-2728, strutboutique.com
Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: Miss Sixty, Beach Bunny, 213 Industry, Toxic Waste. Owners: Sisters Margaret and Aga Jankuc designed their Wicker Park shop to close the gap between high-end and low-end clothes and to offer a range of chic looks. Vibe: Prepped for a night out. The décor is stark, metallic and sleek; beats accompany try-on sessions, while video of runway shows plays in the background. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Dinner at Hub 51 followed by drinks and dancing at rednofive. Shopper’s Perks: DJs often play at the shop, adding to the charm of the cozy confines. Sign up for their email list and stay clued-in about sales, fashion shows and new merchandise.

Strut Boutique

UPDATED May 2009

UPDATE: As of January 2012, Fixture is closed.

2108 W. Roscoe, (773) 244-3100, shopfixture.com
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 four years ago. Vibe: Energetic, cluttered and colorful, with upbeat worldwide music from Putumayo 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 OCTOBER 2009

UPDATE: As of October 2009, A Cooler Planet has closed.

2211 W. Roscoe, (773)248-1110, itsacoolerplanet.com
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: 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 May 2009

UPDATE: As of May 2009, The Gourmet Clothing Company has closed.

1252 S. Halsted, (312)997-2411, gourmetclothing.com
Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing. Designers: Salvage, Little Big, Heatherette, Meets the Wizard, Proper Tea, People’s Liberation, Monarchy, BB Dakota and Breathe. Owner: Jabari Jackson reinvented his former high-end women’s boutique, Breathe Clothing Lounge, into a more approachable shop that UIC students could afford—without losing a bit of style. Vibe: Staying true to its name, the store is actually decorated like a bistro, with cloth tables displaying tees and jeans. Furbished with stainless steel, the back room is “the kitchen,” where all high-end items are housed. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive.  The Look: In the heart of University Village, the store caters to the college crowd with a super trendy appeal. Embellished tees, premium denim and bold hoodies stock the shelves. Shopper’s Perks: Keep your eyes peeled for their “Gourmet Sampler” events, featuring live DJs, wine, cheese and sweet discounts.

The Gourmet Clothing Company

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008

UPDATE: As of January 2012, Capri Dolce is closed.

1142 W. Taylor, (312)265-6647, capridolce.com (3 votes, average: 2.67 out of 5)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. Designers: More than 200 European-inspired designers are featured, including Ed Hardy, Grass, 575 Denim, Meltin’ Pot, Affliction and Sinful, as well as the store’s own Capri Dolce (Chicago Roma) red label. Owner: Marian Cotor brought her European style to University Village a little over three years ago. Vibe: Hip and trendy. In the heart of Little Italy, the influence can be seen in Italian flag murals and ‘Mafioso’ graffiti. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: Rocker chic. Details like shredded sleeves, lace, jewels and gems give the clothes a serious edge. Shopper’s Perks: With their own tailor, Capri Dolce offers free alterations on jeans, saving you the hassle. You can find women’s dresses and tops for under $50.

Capri Dolce

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

UPDATE: As of January 2012, both locations of Jake are closed.

939 N. Rush, (312)664-5553, shopjake.com (1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: Yigal Azrouel, Nice Collective, Mulberry, Acne, Heidi Merrick, Ever, Hannii Y, Brochu Walker, Jay Godfrey and Tim Hamilton. Owners: Lance Lawson, an attorney, keeps the business pegs in place while Jim Wetzel applies his merchandising background to the biz. Vibe: Clean and chic with a lodge-in-Aspen edge—small antlers decorate the walls and a cowhide rug rests on the wood floors. The staff doesn’t do the snooty thing, and they know all the regulars by name. Price Range: Moderate-Luxury. The Look: A tasteful, impeccably pulled-together look that blends megawatt and off-the-beaten path designers. Outfits for uber-exclusive cocktail parties or for sipping wine in your Nate Berkus-decorated living room. Shopper’s Perks: All the salespeople have a background in luxury retail. On-site trunk shows offer shoppers the chance to mingle and sip champagne with fashion-world stars.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Gold Coast Store

Jake