Shopping - Chicago 2005 - page 241

City of Chicago Store Located in the Water Works Visitor Center right off
Michigan Avenue, this is a convenient stop for Chicago-related souvenirs and
gifts, including truly one-of-a-kind pieces of retired municipal equipment
(although the parking meters we've seen for sale here might be a little hard to
stuff in your suitcase). 163 E. Pearson St. (at Michigan Ave.). & 312/742-8811. Subway/El:
Red Line to Chicago.
The Savvy Traveller Smart travelers buy their Frommer's guidebooks here.
This Loop specialty store carries just about everything a traveler might need,
from maps to rain gear to games that keep the kids occupied on long car trips.
310 S. Michigan Ave. (between Van Buren St. and Jackson Blvd.). & 312/913-9800. Subway/El:
Red Line to Jackson.
SPORTING GOODS
Active Endeavors More clothing boutique than outdoor emporium, this
store stocks a stylish collection of sportswear and shoes. 853 W. Armitage Ave.
(between Sheffield Ave. and Halsted St.). & 773/281-8100. Subway/El: Brown Line to Armitage.
Niketown When Niketown opened almost 10 years ago, it was truly
something new: a store that felt more like a funky sports museum than a place
hawking running shoes. These days, Niketown is no longer unique to Chicago
(it's sprung up in cities from Atlanta to Honolulu), and the store's celebration of
athletes can't cover up the fact that the ultimate goal is to sell expensive shoes.
But the crowds keep streaming in—and snatching up products pitched by Nike-
town's new patron saint, Tiger Woods. 669 N. Michigan Ave. & 312/642-6363. Sub-
way/El: Red Line to Grand.
Sportmart The largest sporting-goods store in the city, the flagship store of
this chain offers seven floors of merchandise, from running apparel to camping
gear. Sports fans will be in heaven in the first- and fifth-floor team merchandise
departments, where Cubs, Bulls, and Sox jerseys abound. Cement handprints of
local sports celebs dot the outside of the building; step inside to check out the
prints from Michael Jordan and White Sox slugger Frank Thomas. 620 N. LaSalle
St. (at Ontario St.). & 312/337-6151. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand.
Vertel's Here's a store that takes running seriously. Shoe shoppers are advised
to bring in their old shoes and invest at least half an hour while the salespeople
help fit you for a new pair, including letting you do a lap on the sidewalk out
front. The store also stocks running apparel and accessories, as well as swimwear.
2001 N. Clybourn Ave. (between North and Fullerton aves.). & 773/248-7400. Subway/El: Brown
Line to Armitage.
TOYS & CHILDREN'S CLOTHING
Fantasy Headquarters Not exactly a toy store, this sprawling costume
shop that covers an entire city block is nonetheless devoted to make-believe and
is just as fun. The store stocks more than a million items, including 800 styles
of masks (priced $1-$200) and all the accessories and makeup needed to com-
plete any costume. There's also a full-service wig salon. 4065 N. Milwaukee Ave. (west
of Cicero Ave.). & 773/777-0222. Subway/El: Blue Line to Irving Park.
Little Strummer Located in the Old Town School of Folk Music, which
offers music classes for children, this compact store stocks every kind of mini-
instrument imaginable, from accordions and guitars to wind chimes and music
boxes. There's also a good selection of music-related games and kids' CDs. 909
W. Armitage Ave. (at Halsted St.). & 773/751-3410. Subway/El: Brown Line to Armitage.

Overrated

Finds