Sep 23
2959 N. Lincoln, (773)248-1996, yellowjacketvintageclothing.com 
(No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing and footwear for women and men. Large selection of multicolored wigs, accessories, clothing patterns and vintage artwork. Designers: While brand names aren’t the deal, there is an impressive stock of comfy Levi’s, Jordache and Wrangler jeans. Owner: Jennifer Rau opened Yellow Jacket’s first location in Milwaukee’s trendy Brady St. district in 1993. Four years ago, she brought her retailing expertise and thrifty eye to Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Vibe: Classic hardwood floors and vintage playhouse seating play an attractive yet understated backdrop to the racks of vibrant and funky clothing and accessories that steal the show. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate The Look: 1960s, 1970s and 1980s streetwear. Shopper’s Perks: The stylish staff is friendly and complete with advice and the four changing rooms and ample space allow perusing without tapping boots.
Yellow Jacket Vintage
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Sep 23
3350 N. Lincoln, (773)477-2670, eyespyoptical.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s, women’s and children’s prescription frames and sunglasses. Designers: Anne et Valentin, Lafont, ic! berlin, Persol, Francis Klein, Christian Roth. Owner: Alissa Fields has been selling specs in Lakeview for ten years. Vibe: Retro. With funky chairs and decorations adorning the turquoise, bird-muraled walls, the scene is totally groovy. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Retro. The store features exactly what you would expect from its décor—loud, plastic and uniquely shaped frames galore. Shopper’s Perks: An in-house doctor makes the store a one-stop shop with prescriptions and exams readily available.
Eye Spy Optical
UPDATED 2008
Sep 23
3729 N. Southport, (773)244-9141, clickshoes.net (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Shoes, shoes and more shoes for women. Designers: Oh…Deer! Franco Sarto, Seychelles, BCBGirls, Sam Edelman, Reef. Owner: The former owner of Chicago Shakers Social and Adventure Club, Paula Eisen left the event-organizing business to pay retail homage to her shoe obsession. Vibe: Lighthearted and upbeat: original artwork covers the walls, a comfy couch offers try-on ease, and shoes of all shapes and styles cover every spare inch of this small shop. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: Low-maintenance yet fun; grab coffee across the street at Café Avanti, a movie at the Music Box and some post-flick Dairy Queen. Wherever a Click shopper goes, she portrays her personality through her shoes. Shopper’s Perks: The variety offered here isn’t characteristic of most shoe stores—Click has something for nearly every style palate. Also, Eisen and her crew host events and shoe parties regularly, including occasional fundraisers for neighborhood organizations.
Click
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Sep 23
Hanig’s Slipper Box, 2754 N. Clark, (773)248-1977, Hanig’s Footwear, 847 W. Armitage, (773)929-5568, 875 N. Michigan, (312)787-6800, 1627 Sherman, Evanston, (847)864-3268, hanigs.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s shoes. Designers: Beautifeel, Wolky, Ecco, Kenneth Cole, Merrell, Mephisto, Johnston & Murphy, Keen. Owner: Serving Chicago since 1944, Hanig’s is owned by Peter Hanig, son of founders Irv and “Billie.” Vibe: Extremely well-lit and roomy, with plenty of seats for shoe sampling, and an overall All-American appeal. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Comfortably chic. While all the shoes are designed with function in mind, fashionable details are incorporated into the designs. Shopper’s Perks: Service—with plenty of friendly staff members around, you’ll be taken care of from the moment you enter to the moment you leave. Comfort also tops the bill, and your feet won’t be able to thank you enough.
Slipper Box-Lakeview
Hanig’s Slipper Box
Lincoln Park Store
Hanig’s Footwear
Michigan Avenue Store
Hanig’s Footwear
Evanston Store
Hanig’s Footwear
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Jul 31
Chicago’s expansive young fashion empire, Akira, officially opens its Lakeview store tonight (July 31) with a “Girls Night Out” celebration. In addition to 15 percent off all purchases during the event (5pm-10pm), look for the usual Akira circus:
Makeup consultations and gifts from Stila Cosmetics
Hair styling and consultations, as well as massages by Zazu Salon
Complimentary manicures provided by Nailbar
Threading by The Spot
Hors d’oeuvres catered by Moe’s Cantina and sushi by Kamehachi
Chocolate fountain fondue by The Melting Pot
Summer vodka cocktails and FUZE drinks
A striptease and pole dancing fitness class
Live auction of Chicago Machine lacrosse players
Of course, the merch itself will be the main attraction in this, the largest (6,000 square feet) Akira store so far. Look for the following lines: Betsey Johnson, Greyhound, Salvage, Meiko Mellucci, Nellie, BCBG Max Azria, Citizens of Humanity and Hudson.
643 West Diversey, (773)649-9257
Mar 20
3740 N. Southport, (773)929-5253, 939 N. Rush, (312)664-5553, shopjake.com 
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Barbara Bui and Erin Fetherston for women; Band of Outsiders and Tim Hamilton for men. 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: Expensive-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. The Thing for Spring: The vibrant colors in Chris Benz’s women’s line.
Lakeview Store
Jake
Gold Coast Store
Jake
Mar 20
855 W. Belmont, (773)549-1038; 1318 N. Milwaukee, (773)384-8448, belmontarmy.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: New and vintage clothing and shoes for men and women. Designers: Clothing by Ben Sherman, BB Dakota, Paul Frank and Bobi; shoes by Vans, Camper, Converse, Gravis and New Balance. Owners: Chang Yoo, Tae Yoo, Tony Lee and Craig Scholla moved the legendary Belmont store over to the West Side early last year. Vibe: The upstairs stock is completely new, while the vintage goods are in the basement. The clothing (yes, even the vintage) is neatly arranged and the staff is completely hands-off (unless you need them, of course), which makes for a totally no-pressure shopping experience. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: Trendy hipster upstairs, thrift-store devotee downstairs. The person who shops on both floors has a personal style that is completely their own, and thrives on blending pieces to create a unique look. Shopper’s Perks: Massive amounts of both new and used clothing in one location. Perfect for fashionable friends with dueling shopping styles. The Thing for Spring: Belmont Army recently opened back up on Belmont, just doors down from the original location. Staffers are excited about the new collection of Vans, which are simple, comfortable, and all-around phat.
Lakeview Store
Belmont Army
Wicker Park Store
Belmont Army
Mar 20
3738 N. Southport, (773)549-2876, tulaboutique.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Women’s clothing, with some jewelry, bags and accessories. Designers: Hoss, Three Dot, Majestic, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Vera Wang, Eurythmic; jewelry by St. Kilda and Sherzade. Owner: Laura Westgate used to work at a real estate magazine, but left to open a Chicago outpost of her mother’s Michigan boutique. Vibe: You’ll feel like you’re stopping by a chic friend’s house: Enter the shop through a stairway and small hallway, then land in a well-appointed room housed in a vintage brownstone. Price Range: Expensive-Luxury. The Look: Perfectly polished with a hint of Parisian chic, and in-the-know about under-the-radar designers. The Thing for Spring: Spanish line Hoss, whose dresses, tops and jackets feature impeccable detail and construction.
Tula
Mar 20
3543 N. Southport, (773)472-2727 (1 votes, average: 1 out of 5)
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Goods: Women’s lingerie, sleepwear, bathing suits, gifts. Designers: Marie Jo, Chantelle, Eberjey, Elle Macpherson, Simone Perele. Owner: A former investment banker, Christy Horton opened Trousseau to explore her passion for lingerie. Vibe: This girlie paradise—think pastel walls, deep red carpet and lacy window displays—has little nooks and corners devoted to different themes, from bridal gear to tropical bathing suits, and themed fitting rooms to match. Price Range: Moderate-Luxury. The Look: From mother of the bride to scandalous bridesmaid. Shopper’s Perks: The largest range of bra sizes in Chicago, from 30A to 52J, as well as fittings, a gift registry and a new VIP customer plan: $500 in purchases will earn you a discount for the rest of the year. The Thing for Spring: A wide selection of swimsuits, including the exclusive-in-the-US on Australian swim line Jets.
Trousseau
