Shopping - Chicago - page 144

an aromatherapy wrap, or an exfoliating treatment. Fruit, juices, or
herbal teas are offered on completion. There's also another location
in a burgeoning retail district a few blocks south of the Armitage
Avenue shopping strip at 939 W. North Ave. ( & 773/640-0001 ). 12
W. Maple St., 3rd floor (between Dearborn and State sts.). &

312/587 - 3500.

www.urbanoasis.biz. Subway/El: Red Line to Clark/Division.
SHOES & BAGS
1154 Lill Studio Purse-a-holics and wannabe designers
will find fashion heaven at this custom-handbag shop. Pick a style
(which includes everything from evening purses to diaper bags), and
then browse the huge selection of fabrics to create your own custom
interior and exterior. Your finished creation can be picked up in a
few weeks or shipped to your home. 904 W. Armitage Ave. (at Fremont St.).
& 773/477-LILL. Subway/El: Brown line to Armitage.
Lori's Designer Shoes Lori's looks like a local version
of Payless Shoes (shoeboxes stacked on the floor and women sur-
rounded by piles of heels and boots), but the designer names on
most of those shoes prove that this is a step above your typical dis-
count store. A mecca for the shoe-obsessed, Lori's stocks all the lat-
est styles, at prices that average 10% to 30% below department-store
rates. 824 W. Armitage Ave. (between Sheffield Ave. and Halsted St.). & 773/281 -
5655. www.lorisdesignershoes.com. Subway/El: Brown Line to Armitage.
SOUVENIRS & MAPS
ArchiCenter Shop Stop here for the coolest gifts in town.
This bright, sleek shop is part of the Chicago Architecture Founda-
tion, so everything in stock—including photography books, tour
guides, stationery, and kids' toys—has a definite sense of style.
Whether you're in the market for a $900 reproduction of a vase from
Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House or more affordable black-and-
white photos of the city skyline, it's well worth a visit. 224 S. Michigan
Ave. (at Jackson St.). & 312/922 - 3432, ext. 241. www.architecture.org. Subway/
El: Red Line to Jackson.
City of Chicago Store Located in the Water Works Visitor Cen-
ter 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.). &

Finds

Value

312/742 - 8811. Subway/El: Red Line to

Chicago.