Store by Les

Lesley Timpe, the owner of a popular five-year old clothing and hat line called Squasht by Les, says her decision to extend the online and wholesale business by opening a retail operation was spontaneous. “It sort of just fell into my lap,” she says. “I was looking for a different work studio but found a storefront in a great area that I could work out of as well.” The new store in the Ukrainian Village space opened last month; named after her line, Squasht by Les (2556 W. Chicago Ave.; 773-292-4123, squashtbyles.com), the boutique carries all of Timpe’s signature pieces, including reversible, sweater-knit hats ($54); organic soy-cotton dresses ($128); and the 1940s-style petal headbands ($28). The boutique also features a selection of clothing and accessories from independent designers from Chicago and elsewhere, such as the local jeweler Veronica Riley Martens and the St. Louis-based Skif sweaters. “Everyone I carry in my store is a friend of mine,” says Timpe, a St. Louis native. While the majority of items can also be found online, boutique shoppers enjoy exclusives, like Timpe’s hand-dyed tank tops with ruching and embellishments ($35).

 

Top Sales This Week

In collaboration with Selective Search (selectivesearch-inc.com), DNA 2050 (900 N. Michigan Ave., third floor; 312-944-0040) hosts a “Meet the Matchmakers and Get Ready for Your Date” event on Tuesday, June 29th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy 20 percent off DNA 2050 merchandise, mini makeovers from Mario Tricoci (for locations, tricoci.com), and complimentary cocktails. RSVP to laura@expagency.com.

Take 40 percent off designer accessories, clothing, and shoes at Ikram (873 N. Rush St.; 312-587-1000, ikram.com), Thursday, July 1st, through Saturday, July 31st.

 

The Best of the Rest

  • Objets d’Envy (773-525-1047, objetsdenvy.com) holds a customer appreciation event at Province Restaurant (161 N. Jefferson St.; 312-669-9900, provincerestaurant.com) Wednesday, June 30th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Save 20 to 50 percent on selected collections and receive one free signature cocktail with any jewelry purchase. RSVP to kirsten@objetsdenvy.com.
  • Save up to 50 percent on 2010 Spring Summer collections at Gamma Player (2035 W. Division St.; 773-235-0755, gammaplayer.com) Thursday, July 1st, through Sunday, July 11th.
  • PrettyCity and Salon O Sixty-Five (65 E. Oak St.; 312-943-4555, salono65.com) host a VIPretty Event with complimentary dry styling and eyelash extension demonstrations at Salon O Sixty-Five on Wednesday, June 30th, from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests also receive a $50 gift certificate to the salon. Tickets, $25, are available at chicagobeauty.com.
  • The Vintage Heaven big sale event returns to Heaven Gallery (1550 N. Milwaukee Ave., second floor; 773-342-4597, heavengallery.com) with accessories and clothing from local designers on Saturday, July 3rd, from 12 to 6 p.m.
  • The summer sale at House of Sole (1237 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-834-0909, houseofsole.net) kicks off Thursday, July 1st, with up to 50 percent off selected footwear.
  • Handle With Care (1706 N. Wells St.; 312-751-2929, handlewithcarechicago.com), a high-end women’s boutique in Old Town, donates 10 percent of all July profits to the Alzheimer’s Association.
  • The Brides & Blooms event at whiteCHICAGO (222 W. Huron St.; 312-397-1571, whitechicago.com) features a bridal runway show, wedding planning experts, event styling tips, hors d’oeuvres, Champagne, and more on Wednesday, June 30th, from 6 to 8 p.m. RSVP to rebecca@bettiebombpr.com
  • Knickers of Glen Ellyn (492 Main St., Glen Ellyn; 630-469-2727) holds its next First Friday with special deals and incentives on Friday, July 2nd, from 5 to 8 p.m.
  • New stores at Chicago Premium Outlets (1650 Premium Outlets Blvd., Aurora; 630-585-2200, premiumoutlets.com/chicago) include 7 For All Mankind (630-499-8039, 7forallmankind.com) and Levi’s Outlet Store (630-585-1872; us.levi.com).

 

 

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