Photo: Courtesy Tusk

Fresh apparel at Logan Square's newest boutique, Tusk.

Sink Your Teeth In

Last Friday, Logan Square welcomed Tusk (3205 W. Armitage Ave., 423-903-7093, facebook.com/tuskchicago), a boutique nestled next door to Scofflaw (the best bar in Chicago).

Tusk is filled with a well-curated selection of vintage men’s and women’s clothing and shoes, along with ceramics, prints, jewelry, and records—all compiled by owner Mary Eleanor Wallace. “The name Tusk is a simple, harsh—but elegant—word. It embodies the way I want my shop to feel,” Wallace says. “I prefer muted tones in silks and cottons along with statement patterns.”

Here’s a peek at Tusk’s inventory: a 90s vintage DKNY black silk tank dress ($90); a set of four black-and-white finger bowls by Paige Johnston ($32); and a minimalist necklace made of bent brass by Debbie Carlos ($38). In the coming months, look for one-of-a-kind items and collaborations, including a line of limited-edition tops in fabric designed by Michelle Vondiziano of January Prints.

 

Top Sales This Week

The highly anticipated Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (nordstrom.com) officially kicks off Friday, with heavy discounts on designer duds from the likes of Rebecca Minkoff, Stuart Weitzman, and Diane von Furstenberg. This isn’t your typical played-out summer sale; discounts apply to new fall items, which will return to full price after the event concludes on August 4. Nordstrom cardholders can start their shopping now, thanks to an early-access sale.

More than 20 Lincoln Park boutiques along Halsted and Armitage Avenues offer discounts of up to 75 percent during a sidewalk sale this Saturday and Sunday. Some highlights: buy two items, get two free at women's clothing and accessories shop Langford Market (langfordmarket.com); take $50 off a custom purse design of the two best-selling styles at 1154 LILL Studio (1154lill.com); and grab up to 60 percent off Joie, Amanda Uprichard, and others at women’s boutique Shop 857 (shop857.com).

 

The Best of the Rest

  • Cynthia Rowley (1653 N. Damen Ave., 773-276-9209, cynthiarowley.com) hostesses a summer sample sale Thursday through Sunday. Find one-of-a-kind samples plus discounts up to 85 percent off ready-to-wear apparel and accessories from past collections. What to snag: confetti shorts (were $145, now $99); a jeweled collar trophy dress (was $595, now $99); and double-knit dresses (buy one for $99, get a second for $49).
  • Tune in to Project Runway this Thursday at 8 p.m. to catch Chicago’s own Kahindo Mateene—the designer behind the vibrantly beautiful line MODAHNIK (modahnik.com)—as she competes in the reality show’s 12th season.
  • Room and Board (55 E. Ohio St., 312-222-0970, roomandboard.com) holds a free event for men (21 and over) on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Guys will be treated to styling tips from Bonobos menswear, a product bar by Kiehl’s skincare, and grub and small-batch beer pairings from Goose Island. RSVP at roomandboard.com/menseventchic.
  • ROOF on theWit (201 N. State St., 312-239-9502, roofonthewit.com/runway) continues its summer runway series with a Chicago Boutique Takeover on Thursday. The show features local dress designer Miriam Cecilia, Old Town women’s boutique Sara Jane, and men’s suiting shop J Toor. Entrance is free and the show starts at approximately 7 p.m.

 

Closings

Local designer Killion (1006 W. Armitage Ave., 773-348-2790, killionclothes.com) announced it will close its retail location in order to focus on the brand’s growing wholesale, web, and event business. Store-wide discounts start at 40 percent and will increase as the shop nears its August 11 closing date. Owner Dana Killion notes that additional items have been added to the clearance rack (50 to 80 percent off) and a special rack of studio samples features items priced from $20 to $40.

After a seven-year run, the ultra-chic boutique LISSA (750 N. Franklin St., 312-563-9470, lissachicago.com) will shutter, as the owner has opted not to renew the store’s lease. The River North shop will close as soon as its stock of high-end designs—sourced everywhere from Budapest to Berlin—sells out. Until then, all clothing, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories are marked 50 to 70 percent off.