It’s Instrumental

Opened last weekend, Shake Shop (3247 W. Fullerton Ave.; 773-904-7690) offers a mix of used instruments, equipment, and rock-and-roll collectibles, as well as repair and restoration services from the local musician Tom Cassling. “There are a bunch of great repair shops in the city, but I wanted to make something that was more accessible, comfortable, and unintimidating,” says Cassling, who learned to make guitars in Paracho, Mexico, a city known for its instrument-making. Aside from instruments and accessories (prices vary), current merchandise mostly consists of items from Cassling’s personal collection: used books ranging from art and music to classics and Western civilization ($10 or less), and 1960s and 1970s rock and punk records (average $7 to $9). You can have T-shirts made to order by Nathan Jerde and Rebecca Flores (from $3.75) or buy ready-made screenprinted shirts, gig posters, and prints by the local illustrator Johnny Sampson ($20); also look for original artwork from Chris Erickson and Darius Hurley ($20 to $300). Meanwhile, instrument services include everything from simple wiring (from $15) to complete restoration (from $200). This month, Shake Shop takes $15 off all set-ups, which include a three-month warranty, involve adjusting equipment height and basic playability so that the instrument is customized for each musician.

 

Top Sales This Week

The Chicago Designers for Bright Pink Shopping Event (bebrightpink.org) includes fall fashions from Anna Hovet (annahovet.com), Brynn Capella handbags (brynncapella.com), C/FAN (cfan-designs.com), jules (shopjules.com), Kate Boggiano (kateboggiano.com), Love, Lulu Mae (lovelulumae.com), Marisa Swystun (marisaswystun.com), Miriam Cecilia (miriamceciliacarlson.com), Nonnie (nonniethreads.com), Paoo Jewels (paoo.biz), and Zamrie (zamrie.com) on Tuesday, October 12th, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at The Affinia Hotel (166 E. Superior St.; 312-787-6000, affinia.com). Held to benefit Bright Pink, the event also features appetizers, desserts, and drinks; the first 50 guests receive a free goody bag.

Retail Therapy Night, the semi-annual event hosted by the Central Street Business Association in Evanston (centralstreet-evanston.com), takes place Thursday, October 7th, from 6 to 9 p.m. Look for deals on the latest merchandise and in-store festivities from a variety of shops, including Stella (2116 Central St.; 847-864-5565, stellaevanston.com), Allegro Dance Boutique (2114 Central St., 847-733-8460, allegrodanceboutique.com), and Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony (1917 Central St.; 847-866-6292, maya-tony.com).

 

The Best of the Rest

  • Hubba-Hubba (3309 N. Clark St.; 773-477-1414, hubbahubbachicago.com) celebrates 22 years on Thursday, October 7th, from 5 to 7 p.m., with Champagne and treats from Bittersweet Pastry Shop. The first 22 guests to say “Happy Anniversary” will have the chance to win a $100 gift certificate. The festivities continue throughout the month; shoppers save 22 percent on purchases until Sunday, October 31st.
  • Meet Chicago Bears Greg Olsen, Kellen Davis, and Garrett Wolfe and the reality television star Katrina Campins at the grand opening of Pure Vibes Fitness (834 N. Ashland Ave.; 312-850-4449, purevibesfitness.com) on Wednesday, October 6th, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event offers free drinks, hors d’oeuvres, music, fitness and pole-dancing demos, gift bags, and more. RSVP at events@graceprgroup.com.
  • Le Dress (1741 W. Division St.; 773-697-9899, ledresschicago.com) hosts “Say Yes to le Dress” with wedding-appropriate dresses, Erin Gallagher jewelry, mini-makeovers from Nika Vaughan, music, and more on Tuesday, October 5th, from 6 to 9 p.m. RSVP to rsvp@lizkorespr.com. Also, for 10-10-10, le Dress takes 10 percent off everything in the store on Sunday, October 10th.
  • This month, buy three handmade silk ties for only $100 (normally $75 each) while supplies last at Nicholas Joseph Custom Tailors (21 W. Elm St.; 70 W. Madison St.; 312-895-1577, customsuitsyou.com). Other discounts through Sunday, October 31st, include two custom blazers, two custom trousers, and four custom shirts for $2,000 as well as two custom suits for $1,590 (normally $1,990).
  • Kingsley Handbags (kingsleyhandbags.com) holds a private inventory sale with up to 70 percent off previous-season bags and clutches and 20 percent off Fall 2010 collections at the Park Hyatt Chicago (800 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-335-1234, parkchicago.hyatt.com) on Monday, October 11th, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, October 12th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSVP to emily@kingsleyhandbags.com.
  • The Denim Lounge (43 E. Oak St.; 312-642-6403, thedenimlounge.com) hosts a Boys Night Out with 25 percent off everything in the store as well as craft beer, live female models wearing jeans and lingerie, and more on Friday, October 8th, from 6 to 9 p.m. RSVP to info@thedenimlounge.com.
  • First-time customers save $10 on a haircut from State Street Barbers (for locations, statestreetbarbers.com) Sunday, October 10th, and Monday, October 11th.
  • Krista K Maternity + Baby (3530 N. Southport Ave.; 773-248-4477, kristak.com) holds a Maternal America trunk show Thursday, October 7th, through Sunday, October 17th. Buy two or more items to save 20 percent off.
  • Frédéric Malle stops by Barneys New York (15 E. Oak St.; 312-587-1700) to help launch his Home Scent Collection of new fragrances on Wednesday, October 6th, from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Chicago Premium Outlets (1650 Premium Outlets Blvd., Aurora; 630-585-2200, premiumoutlets.com/chicago) holds its annual Columbus Day Sale with additional savings at more than 35 of its 120 designer discount stores—including 41 percent off everything at Kenneth Cole (kennethcole.com) and 30 percent off merchandise at A|X Armani Exchange (armaniexchange.com)—Friday, October 8th, through Monday, October 11th. For a complete list of store sales, click on the “sales and events” link at premiumoutlets.com/chicago.