Shopping - Chicago 2005 - page 220

you'll find it on this stretch of concrete. And don't think you're seeing everything
by walking down the street; Michigan Avenue is home to several indoor, high-
rise malls, where plenty more boutiques and restaurants are tucked away. Win-
dow-shoppers and people-watchers will find plenty to amuse themselves because
this is the city's liveliest corridor: The sidewalks are packed in the summer and
on weekends with hordes of shoppers strolling up and down the avenue and
pausing to enjoy the many street performers who enliven this strip.
For the ultimate Mag Mile shopping adventure, start at one end of North
Michigan Avenue and try to work your way to the other. In this section are listed
some of the best-known shops on the avenue and on nearby side streets.
A NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE SHOPPER'S STROLL
This shopper's stroll begins at Oak Street at the northern end of the avenue and
heads south toward the river. It just hits the highlights; you're sure to find much
more to tickle your fancy and tempt your wallet as you meander from designer
landmarks to well-known chain stores. North Michigan Avenue's four vertical
malls—each a major shopping destination in its own right—are discussed below
under “The Magnificent Malls.”
The parade of designer names begins at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and
Oak Street, including a couple housed in The Drake hotel, such as the legendary
Danish silversmith Georg Jensen, 959 N. Michigan Ave. ( & 312/642-9160 ),
known for outstanding craftsmanship in sterling silver and gold, including earrings,
brooches, watches, tie clips, and flatware; and Chanel, 935 N. Michigan Ave.
( & 312/787-5500 ).
The newest luxury emporium in town is the spacious Louis Vuitton store at
919 N. Michigan Ave. ( & 312/944-2010 ), where you'll find trendy handbags
and the company's distinctive brown-and-gold luggage. A few doors down is
famed Italian jeweler Bulgari, 909 N. Michigan Ave. ( & 312/255-1313 ),
which sells timepieces, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and silver gift items. Just
across the street is 900 North Michigan, commonly referred to as the Bloom-
ingdale's building (see “The Magnificent Malls,” below).
Just south of the Hancock Center and across the street is Plaza Escada, 840
N. Michigan Ave. ( & 312/915-0500 ), an elegant building between Chestnut
and Pearson streets that houses the country's most comprehensive collection of
apparel and accessories from German design house Escada (this is where you'll
see the local society ladies shopping for their charity-ball gowns).
Giorgio Armani 's sleek boutique, at 800 N. Michigan Ave. in the Park Hyatt
Hotel ( & 312/573-4220 ), faces the park that overlooks the historic Water
Tower. Just around the corner, also at 800 N. Michigan Ave. but with an
entrance on Chicago Avenue, is the first American store from Canadian
knitwear manufacturer Marlowe ( & 312/988-9398 ). Don't come here looking
for a simple pullover; the shop looks like a modern art gallery, with prices that
are closer to Armani than Banana Republic. Across the street, a few doors west
of Michigan Avenue, is one of Chicago's hottest family destinations: American
Girl Place, at 111 E. Chicago Ave. ( & 877/AG-PLACE ). The three-story doll
emporium attracts hordes of young girls (and parents) hooked on the popular
mail-order company's line of historic character dolls. A stage show brings stories
from the American Girl books to life, and the store's cafe is a nice spot for a spe-
cial mother-daughter lunch or afternoon tea.
The next block of Michigan Avenue has a New York vibe, thanks to the
world's largest Polo Ralph Lauren ( & 312/280-1655 ), a four-floor, wood-pan-
eled minimansion, and Tiffany & Co. ( & 312/944-7500 ), with its signature