03/09/10

New Local Line of Handbags Surfaces

Give Yourself Some Skin
Annie Handbags (6263 N. McCormick Blvd., Ste. 160; 312-498-3933) launched last year, bringing women a fresh batch of luxurious yet practical purses, totes, and messenger bags.

03/02/10

West Loop Salon Expands

Inflationary Pressure
While many shops and spas seem to be at a standstill these days, some locally owned businesses, such as Solo Salon (1065 W. Madison St.; 312-491-9771, solo-salon.com), continue to thrive.

02/23/10

New Designer on the Scene

Made-To-Measure
Shortly after graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Michelle Barone was asked to create an exclusive clothing line for the opening reception of the museum’s Modern Wing in May 2009.

02/16/10

Revision Home Opens Its Doors

Three Days Only
Growing up in New Orleans, Katie Ernst traveled to various junk and antique stores with her grandma, mom, and aunts with an eye for deals on great finds. In October 2009, Ernst opened Revision Home (2132 W. Fulton St.; 312-226-2221, revisionchicago.com), which sells vintage and antique pieces online and by appointment.

02/09/10

Bucktown’s New Green Salon

Cutting Her Own Path
After 15 years in corporate salons, the hair colorist Karen Marie Vanoni wanted a more creative work environment. But shortly into her search, she realized she wanted to open her own salon.

02/02/10

West Elm Opens in Lincoln Park

Eco-Friendly Finds

Another Williams-Sonoma affiliate, west elm (1000 W. North Ave.; 312-867-1770, westelm.com) opens in Lincoln Park tomorrow, February 3rd, joining its nearby sister stores Pottery Barn (1000 W. North Ave.; 312-587-9837, potterybarn.com) and the combined PBteen-Pottery Barn Kids (2111 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-525-8349, pbteen.com, potterybarnkids.com).

01/26/10

New Custom Jeweler in Lake View

Black Tie to Tank Top
At 10, Erin Estell started making jewelry using only floss and beads. Two decades later, her years of practice paid off.

01/19/10

JKAT’s Architectural Creations

Decade of Design
A few years after moving from Los Angeles to Chicago in the late-1990s, Joni Kat Anderson and city-native Matthew Cohen launched JKAT Jewelry (773-777-7863, jkatjewelry.com). Now in its 10th year, the company continues to create its line of sterling-silver bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings.

01/12/10

Oak Street’s Newest Boutique

From Hickory Hills to the Gold Coast
After 30 years in the Southwest suburbs, Lili of Trieste (8711 W. 95th St., Hickory Hills; 708-598-3632), a special occasion and everyday wear shop, opened its second location on the chain-heavy block at 50 East Oak Street (312-915-0122) late last fall.

01/05/10

Zara Opens Two Chicago Stores

Triple Threat
The Spanish retailer Zara (zara.com) recently opened two of its latest outposts in downtown Chicago, bringing some competition to the area’s other affordable fashion retailers. The first of the two stores, which opened at 700 North Michigan Avenue (312-750-0780) in late October, has taken over the former Talbots space in the Chicago Place Building.