1101 W. Webster, (773)477-1101 (1 votes, average: 1 out of 5)
 Loading ...
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

2959 N. Lincoln, (773)248-1996, yellowjacketvintageclothing.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
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

3729 N. Southport, (773)244-9141, clickshoes.net (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
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

1821 W. North, (773)486-4434,viafirenzi.com (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
 Loading ...
Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. Designers: Ginger Goff, Martinez Valero and Via Uno.  Owner:  Having taken over in July, new owner Kortnee Doss has big plans for the store, which will soon take on the new moniker ‘Verse Chicago.’  Vibe:  With a remodeling scheduled for January, Doss plans to give the boutique a more polished look with dark wood, a black-and-white palate and old family photos. Price Range: Moderate.  The Look: European. A travel-savvy shopper whose wardrobe boasts bits from Spain, London, Europe, Sweden and France .  Shopper’s Perks:  New designers are encouraged to showcase their work every Thursday night from 5pm to 7pm.  Doss also has deals in the works for a Fair Trade program with the Peace Corps.

Via Firenzi/Verse Chicago

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008

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)
 Loading ...
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

2037 W. Roscoe, (773)281-2210, apiedshoeboutique.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
Goods: Shoes and accessories for women. Designers: Taryn by Taryn Rose, All Black, Jeffrey Campbell, Corso Como; bags by Joelle Nadine. Owner: Trudy Robinson Foley, owner of maternity boutique Kickin’, opened her shoe shop in mid-May because it was the only wardrobe essential her neighbors couldn’t find in Roscoe Village. Vibe: Mellow, bright, spacious and cozy. Antique Persian rugs and old trunks add vintage flavor to the exposed brick and hardwood floors, while a fireplace and the sonic sounds of John Mayer keep it comfy. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: A style-obsessed city gal who leaves the house at 7am and doesn’t return until 10pm. The shoes are chicly European in their aesthetic yet practical in their form, so you won’t be nursing blisters after your eight-block walk to the El. Shopper’s Perks: Originality all the way. Robinson Foley works with many smaller lines to custom-design shoes, and a few of the shop’s offerings are made exclusively for A Pied.

A Pied

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008

Daily Candy reports that Roscoe Village now has its first shoe boutique, `A Pied. Lines include Taryn by Taryn Rose, Hispanitas, Modern Vintage and All Black.

72 E. Oak, (312)440-1718, gbani.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
Goods: Women’s and men’s clothing, shoes and bags. Designers: Patrizia Pepe, Roberto Cavalli, Giuseppe Zanotti, Rocco P, DSquared, Diego Dolcini. Owners: Husband and wife duo B.J. and Trevian Kutti operate this 10-year-old boutique and manage two showrooms in Europe. Vibe: Buzzer-operated doors and the sales staff’s careful-what-you-touch attitude stir up an air of exclusivity. The room is upbeat and glam, with pop music and plenty of shimmer and sparkle on the racks. Price Range: Luxury. The Look: Sexy, sexy, sexy. Towering high heels. Shimmery tops. Tastefully plunging necklines. Set to down pomegranate martinis at SushiSamba Rio. Shopper’s Perks: Champagne and caviar events are not only held when new lines drop, but for simple client appreciation as well. Plus, it’s worth dropping by to see the politically inspired window displays. The Thing for Spring: Look for the debut of the store’s signature couture line, designed by the owners in collaboration with one of the top factories in Italy.

G’bani

1205 N. Milwaukee, (773)252-6994, espacecity.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and bags. Designers: Puma, Lacoste, Adidas, Miss Sixty, Penguin and United Nude. Owner: Neighboring City Sports took the reigns from original owner Drew Ee last year. Vibe: Sleek yet comfortable. The store is easy to navigate, with neatly organized racks and displays. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Sporty, urban and stylish. Fit for an impromptu party in a studio space followed by drinks and dancing at Ohm. Shopper’s Perks: Espace purchases only three-to-four of each item, so each purchase here feels like a real find. The wide array of price points accommodates everyone from financially challenged fashionistas to professional shoppers.

Espace

855 W. Belmont, (773)549-1038; 1318 N. Milwaukee, (773)384-8448, belmontarmy.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
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