The Teen Age

At a time when boutiques shutter every month, never underestimate the spending power of the Millennials. A new Lincoln Park teen and tween store Frankie’s on the Park (2322 N. Clark St.; 773-248-0400) is slated to open August 14th. The brand new, two-floor space (conveniently located near the Latin School and Francis Parker) runs the gamut from casual wear and denim to special-occasion dresses and suits for boys and girls age 8 to 18. Co-owners Lisa Rolfe Burik and Mary DeRose Carter spent a year and a half researching the market and conducting focus groups. Burik, who named the store after her fashion-savvy 13-year-old, Frankie, says she saw a need for age-appropriate clothing for the teen and tween market. "There are not many clothes for teenagers that are appropriate for them," she says. "They may love Intermix on sale, but that’s not a price point teenagers can really shop." Find back-to-school casual tops for boys and girls, hoodies, and seven denim lines, of which only two (Genetic and Chip & Pepper) are more than $100 a pair. Others, such as Blank and Cheap Monday, are more affordable. There’s also a 30-foot-long graffiti bar, where kids can customize tees, hoodies, shorts, sweats and hats with more than 300 original and vintage transfer decals. The shop also carries special-occasion apparel for boys and girls, ideal for graduations, school dances, and bar and bat mitzvahs, in prices ranging from $75 to $750. For boys, find suits, shirts, and ties from Hickey Freeman, Ike Behar, and Hart Schaffner Marx. For girls, there are dresses from Shoshanna, Yoana Baraschi (the former lead designer for Betsey Johnson), Chloé and Reese, and Ali Ro, as well as custom-made options from Michelle Rahn, a bridal designer, who will whip up any dress a young girl desires. About half of the brands are stocked in women’s sizes to fit older girls. Other bonuses? The dressing rooms have big-screen televisions and a stage, and there are two video screens with Xbox games to entertain bored siblings.

Top Sales This Week

Beta Boutique (2016 W. Concord Pl.; 773-276-0905) hosts its 6th Semi-Annual Stacked Rack sale at an offsite location, 1552 N. Milwaukee Ave. (on the second floor, above Levi’s), on Aug. 16th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and August 17th from noon to 5 p.m. (with new markdowns on Sunday). Find designer samples and boutique overstock at 40 to 90 percent off retail, with menswear added for the first time. Prices start at $5; all items are $150 and under. Brands include local lines Blake Standard, Eskell, Orlando Espinoza, Serpico, She Complete; men’s wear from Hyden Yoo, as well as accessories and jewelry. Other designer brands include True Religion, James Perse, Stella McCartney, Ya-Ya, Twinkle, Trovata, and Rachel Pally.

The Southport merchants team up for the Southport Spree Card Promo. From August 16th through 23rd, purchase a spree card for $50 to receive 20 percent off participating stores on regular priced merchandise. Card proceeds support the charity Project Imagine, the Sheil Park Playground Renovation Campaign. Purchase the tax-deductible card direct from merchants or see a list of participating stores at onsouthport.com.

The Best of the Rest

  • The Golden Triangle (330 N. Clark St.; 312-755-1266), which rarely holds sales at such deep discounts, holds a sidewalk sale from Aug. 15th through 30th with items marked down up to 70 percent off.
  • Local jeweler Kristen Amato, who designs her line K. Amato, hosts her annual summer sale and trunk show with discounts on earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces. Spring and summer pieces are marked $5 to $30, with 30 percent off fall pieces. The sale runs August 12th from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Omni Hotel (676 N. Michigan Ave.) and August 13th from 4 to 9 p.m. at K. Amato (1229 W. Diversey Ave.). Preview the line at k-amato.com.
  • Leslie Hindman Auctioneers (1338 W. Lake St.; 312-280-1212) holds the Marketplace Auction, the kid sister to the Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts, which features a more eclectic and affordable selection of furniture, paintings, and accents on August 13th starting at 10 a.m. See the catalog at lesliehindman.com.
  • Upscale consignment shop Selections (2152 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-296-4014) offers 50 percent off already discounted clothing from brands like Chloé and Nanette Lepore, and 25 percent off accessories like shoes, jewelry, and sunglasses through 16th.
  • Veruca Salt (1921 N. Damen Ave.; 773-276-9888) puns on its Willy Wonka-inspired name with the Golden Ticket event through August 14th. Spend $100 to receive a $10 golden ticket, $200 for $25, $500 for $100, and $1,000 for $250. Golden tickets can be redeemed Aug. 24th through Aug. 31st.
  • While supplies last, Elements (741 N. Wells St.; 877-642-6574) holds an end-of-season sale on women’s accessories, jewelry, home accents, and tabletop with discounts from 30 to 60 percent off.
  • Amazing Space (1105 Chicago Ave., Oak Park; 708-383-3333) offers 20 to 50 percent off all garden and outdoor accessories throughout August.
  • Glossed & Found, a local online magazine and newsletter about beauty, fashion and lifestyle, launches on Aug. 14th from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Chicago Illuminating Company (19 E. 21st St.; 312-335-5350 x2) with a night of unlimited spa services (including manis, pedis, facials, massage, and makeup). Tickets are $100; proceeds benefit Prescription Well-Being, which provides spa and beauty services to women with cancer.
  • Phaiz (673 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 312-226-9070) kicks off its next installation on August 15th with contemporary artist Jersey Joe giving his take on Mickey Mouse. The artist was commissioned by Disney to paint the famous mouse; interpretations of which will be made into apparel, shoes, and a guitar for Disney. The exhibit runs through Sept. 10th.