Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alley,
858 W. Belmont Ave., at Clark Street (
&
773/525-3180
), is an “alter-
native shopping complex” selling everything from plaster gargoyles to racks of
leather jackets. It has separate shops specializing in condoms, cigars, and bondage
wear.
All the latest men's (and some women's) fashion—from names such as Fresh
Jive, Fuct, and Diesel—can be found under the same roof at the multiroom scene
housing the
Aero
and
Untitled
shops, 2707 N. Clark St. (
&
773/404-9225
).
Whether you're into tight, fitted fashion or the layered, droopy-pants look, it's
here.
Tragically Hip,
a storefront women's boutique at 931 W. Belmont Ave.
(
&
773/549-1500
), next to the Belmont El train stop, has outlasted many other
similar purveyors of cutting-edge women's apparel.
Get plugged into what the kids are reading at
Chicago Comics,
3244 N.
Clark St. (
&
773/528-1983
), the industry's 1998 pick for best comics shop in
the country. Besides the usual superhero titles, the shop stocks the Midwest's
largest selection of alternative comics. You'll also find lots of back stock and
European and Japanese comics, along with underground books and 'zines.
WICKER PARK/BUCKTOWN
The go-go gentrification of the Wicker Park/Bucktown area has been followed
by not only a rash of restaurants and bars, but also retailers with an artsy bent
reflecting the neighborhood's bohemian spirit. Mixed in with old neighborhood
businesses, such as discount furniture stores and religious-icon purveyors, is a
proliferation of antique-furniture shops, too-cool-for-school clothing boutiques,
and eclectic galleries and gift emporiums. Although the neighborhood focus is
art, collectibles, and hip adult clothing, you'll find a few kids' stores, including
The Red Balloon Company,
2060 N. Damen (
&
773/489-9800;
p. 234. For
a new twist on custom clothing, stop by
The T-Shirt Deli,
1739 N. Damen
Ave. (
&
773/276-6266
), where you and your kids can order up your own per-
sonalized T-shirt creation. Choose from hundreds of vintage logos, add your
own lettering, and your shirt will be printed while you wait (and to thrill your
kids, the shirt is packaged up in a paper bag with a side of potato chips).
2 Shopping A to Z
As you might expect, Chicago has shops selling just about anything your kids
could want or need, be it functional or ornamental, whimsical or exotic. The fol-
lowing list only scratches the surface, but it will give you an idea of the range of
merchandise available.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Pearl Art and Craft Supplies
Graphic designers, artists, and arts and crafts
aficionados flock to Pearl for every art supply known on earth. If you need to
pick up supplies for a rainy-day project, you'll love Pearl.
255 W. Chicago Ave. (at
Franklin St.).
&
312/915-0200.
www.pearlpaint.com. Subway/El: Brown Line to Chicago.
Tender Buttons
Here's a perfect little break while shopping on the
Magnificent Mile—a store filled floor to ceiling with thousands of buttons.
From simple white buttons selling for 50¢ to antique gold buttons selling for
hundreds of dollars, your kids will marvel over the colors and styles. If you're
looking to replace missing buttons, no matter how unusual, or are trying to find
just the perfect accent to update an existing jacket, this little store is just the
place.
946 N. Rush (at Oak St.).
&
312/337-7033.
Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State.
Finds
