Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
248
rooms houses the “Killers Rack, ” a display of albums that the stor e's owners consider
essential to any jazz collection. In addition to jazz, there are bins filled with blues, Latin,
and “New Music”; the albums in the r ecord rooms are filed alphabetically and b y cate-
gory (vocals, big band, and so on), and there are a couple of turntables to help you spend
wisely. J azz R ecord M art also featur es a stage, with seating for 50, wher e local and
national artists coming through town entertain with in-store performances.
27 E. Illinois
St. (btw. Wabash Ave. and State St.).
&
312/222-1467.
Subway/El: Red Line to Grand.
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 bo xes. There's also a good selec-
tion of music-related games and kids' CDs.
909 W. Armitage Ave. (at Halsted St.).
&
773/751-
3410.
Subway/El: Brown Line to Armitage.
New Sound Gospel
Chicago is the bir thplace of gospel music, and no w, thanks to
artists such as Kir k Franklin, it has also become big business. All the major labels hav e
gospel music divisions, and this store on the city's far South Side is the best place in town
to browse the full range of what's available. Not sure where to start? Ask the store's expert
staff for advice—here's where you'll find everything from gospel's greatest to groups with
names such as G ospel Gangstaz.
10723 S. Halsted St. (
&
773/785-8001
). Subway/El: Red Line
to 95th/Dan Ryan, then 108 Halsted bus to 107th St.
Reckless Records
The best all-around record store for music that the cool kids listen
to, Reckless Records wins Brownie points for its friendly and helpful staf. You'll find new
and used CDs and albums in a variety of genres (psychedelic and progressive rock, punk,
soul, and jazz) her e, along with 'zines and a small collection of D VDs. There are also
locations in Wicker P ark, at 1532 N. M ilwaukee A ve. (
&
773/235-3727
), and the
Loop, 26 E. Madison St. (
&
312/795-0878
).
3157 N. Broadway (at Belmont Ave.).
&
773/
404-5080.
Subway/El: Red or Brown Line to Belmont.
9
SHOES
Piggy Toes
European makers ar e featured in this boutique 's selection of shoes, san-
dals, and boots, plus hats, socks, tights, and other accessories. S hoe siz es for infants
through children's size 6.
2205 N. Halst ed (at W. Belden A ve.).
&
773/281-5583.
www.ptoes.
com. Subway: Brown Line to Armitage.
Steve Madden
Value
Funky and inexpensive, Steve Madden specializes in the plat-
form, chunky-heel style of shoe. Your teenage daughter pr obably covets Steve Maddens
already. Boys' styles are appearing in the store as well, although it's still female-dominated
territory. Most styles start at size 5. When a sale is on, you can sometimes pick up a pair
for as little as $15.
Water Tower Plac e, 845 N. M ichigan A ve.
&
312/440-1590.
w ww.steve
madden.com. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State.
SHOWER & BABY GIFTS
The Red Balloon C ompany
Finds
This creative little shop in the tr endy Wicker
Park neighborhood sells casual clothes for infants through age 8, hand-painted furniture,
linens, and books. It's a great place to find a special gift. Childr en's classic books such as
The Red Balloon,
The Lonely Doll,
and
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
are displayed
atop decoupaged bedr oom furnishings. There ar e lots of vintage-inspir ed items, too,
including P inecone H ill r eversible blankets, caps, and burp cloths. The stor e featur es
antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces. If there's a furniture item you want made, just ask the
