Where the Experts Shop

Ever wonder where Chicago's best-dressed people buy their clothes? How about where the city's designers and connoisseurs shop for themselves? We wanted to know. So we asked local experts and assorted culture mavens to name their favorite stores and top-secret sources—and we share the results here.

(page 1 of 10)

Heiji Choy Black

HEIJI CHOY BLACK

Mother of two and formerly the owner of the Wicker Park shop Hejfina

TOYS  I like wood toys. I’ve bought many from Hadley (1205 W. Webster Ave.; 773-883-0077) and from Building Blocks Toy Store (3306 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-525-6200; 2130 W. Division St., 773-235-1888), a great store with a huge stock. And I’ve picked up a few toys from Galt Toys + Galt Baby (900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-440-9550; also in Northbrook). CHILDREN’S FURNITURE  I’ve bought our cribs and changing tables from Grow (1943 W. Division St.; 773-489-0009). KIDS’ CLOTHING  There’s a website I love called MAKIÉ (makieclothier.com). They have beautiful boys’ clothing. WOMEN’S CLOTHING  Even when Hejfina was open, anything that I didn’t get from there came from Blake (212 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-202-0047). Online, I also shop lagarconne.com. JEWELRY  I’m a big fan of the selection at Barneys New York (15 E. Oak St.; 312-587-1700) and at Ikram (873 N. Rush St.; 312-587-1000). ART  I love abstract art, mostly contemporary. I’ve purchased art locally from the Shane Campbell Gallery (1431 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-226-2223) and Wright (1440 W. Hubbard St.; 312-563-0020). FACIALS  Karen Brody (1579 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-368-5567) has a holistic treatment based on Indian ashtanga pressure points and lymphatic draining. She is a master of eyebrows as well. MANICURES & PEDICURES  I go to a place called Cozy Nails (2735 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-388-8810). It’s a neighborhood place, but it has an amazing spa pedicure. If I want to do something really luxurious with a friend, the Peninsula Spa (108 E. Superior St.; 312-337-2888) is amazing.

CAROL WALLACK

Chef/owner of Sola (3868 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-327-3868)

CHEF KNIVES  I use Japanese knives that I get through a website called korin.com; Misono knives—a 10-inch chef’s and a paring knife—are what I use. PLATES  I buy plates at CB2 (800 W. North Ave.; 312-787-8329) because I like different shapes and sizes instead of sets. SWIMWEAR  Windward Sports (3317 N. Clark St.; 773-472-6868) has the best surf wear and fabulous swimwear for sporty girls. I also buy aloha shirts for my boyfriend—real ones, not the loud, flowery ones. I bought my nephew a skateboard there—great trucks and great wheels.

NICK VATTEROTT

Comedian (Oodlesofpun.com)

ELECTRONICS  I get my electronics at Best Buy (bestbuy.com). I mean, it says it right there. It’s the best buy. If there was a mom-and-pop shop called The Bestest Buy, I would go there. If there was a store called Best Buy and Also with Free Ice Cream, I would go there. But until that happens, I go to Best Buy. GIFTS I go to Uncle Fun (1338 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-477-8223). I like a store that I can walk into and say, ‘I’d like a suitcase full of eyeballs, please,’ and their response is, ‘Glow-in-the-dark or rubber?’

MIKE McNAMARA

Executive Director of the Midwest Independent Film Festival

INDIE FILMS My first stop is Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema (2828 N. Clark St.; 773-509-4949)—all of the indie films I want to see make it through that theatre at some point. And they butter their own popcorn, which is important. BOOZE There is only one place to buy booze in Chicago, and that is Green Grocer Chicago (1402 W. Grand Ave.; 312-624-9508). It’s loaded with organic and local wines and beers.

WHITNEY BURTON

Dance instructor at All About Dance (2214 N. Clark St.; 773-572-8701, Allaboutdance.org)

DANCE CLOTHING Chicago Dance Supply (5301 N. Clark St.; 773-728-5344) in Andersonville; Motion Unlimited Dancewear (218 S. Wabash Ave.; 312-922-3330); and discountdancesupply.com, which is reliable and fast.

Photograph: Andreas Larsson

This article appears in the March 2010 issue of Chicago Magazine.

Did you like what you read here? Subscribe to Chicago Magazine »

 

 E-Mail  Print