02/10/09
Laced Up, Ready to Go
A new addition to the suburbs, Romantika Boutique (711 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling; 847-520-7277, romantika-lingerie.com) may be the perfect destination for Valentine’s Day gifts this year. Romantika carries gifts and accessories, including chocolate shower bars ($8), books on seduction and romance ($5.95 and up), a variety of scented candles ($32), and massage oils...
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02/03/09
Kiss Errands Goodbye
Busy Chicagoans can now actually spend their weekends relaxing and their lunch breaks eating with the help of Endeavor Concierge (1732 N. Mohawk St., Suite C and 3200 N. Lake Shore Dr., Suite 2504; 312-268-0008, endeavorconcierge.com), a new—and relatively cheap—personal assistance business that tackles clients’ time-consuming or stress-filled errands. “We give the gift of time,” says Carolyn Schnuck, co-creator of Endeavor. Her partner, Emily Lytle, adds, “People would prefer to...
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01/27/09
No, Not Frank Serpico . . .
After years of selling her clothing and jewelry in local boutiques, online, and at trunk shows, Melissa Serpico Kamhout recently opened her first boutique, Serpico (1514 N. Ashland Ave.; 773-252-5940, serpico-collection.com), bringing Wicker Park a bigger selection of unique formal and dressy casual items. “It’s really different from what’s out there,” says Serpico Kamhout, a lifelong Chicagoan and former graphic designer. “Items are made from leather and silk with...
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01/20/09
New Era, New Outfit LuLu’s at the Belle Kay (3862 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-404-5858, lulusbellekay.com), a North Center boutique focused on vintage clothing and accessories. “As soon as Barack Obama was elected, people started coming in looking for gowns,” says the boutique’s owner, Laurie Demma Davis, who reports that she has sold six dresses, along with jewelry, destined for...
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01/13/09
Needle in a Haystack
Since opening last July in Lake View, the vintage boutique Haystack (2934 N. Broadway; 773-549-1225, haystackvintage.com) has augmented its original stash of antique objects and clothing with a mix of fun items by local designers, such as graphic T-shirts by Isotope (two for $30) and adorable stitched artwork by Jac Jemc from $40. The owner, Phil Tadros, acquired his original stash of goods from a pair of 70 something-year-old twins whom he...
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01/06/09
Shop for a Cause
The jewelry designer Sarah Radford of Chic Gems (312-602-2561; chicgemsetc.com) has long supported various charities, including the cancer support agency Imerman Angels and the charity Aid for AIDS. This month, Radford partners with Angela Rose of PAVE, a national non-profit organization founded in 2001 to raise money for victims of domestic abuse. Shop at Chic Gems virtual trunk show online and enter the discount code “pave” through the end of the month to save 10 percent on any jewelry purchase; 20 percent of proceeds will...
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12/23/08
Green Machine
Ever wonder how the green ethos can blend with urban chic? Then check out the new Bucktown gallery and shop 360SEE (1924 N. Damen Ave.; 773-698-6340, 360seegallery.com), a new minimalist space that features one-of-a-kind sculptures and furniture that uses reclaimed materials, such as a coffee table made from the hood of a 1972 Chevy truck. In all, the store showcases the work of 20 artists...
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12/16/08
Decorative Arts
At the end of November, Sonia Barrett, a Wicker Park resident and photographer, launched her handmade jewelry line Damen + Division on the Web at damen-division.com. Barrett’s collection features quirky items such as necklaces made of twisted silk and crimson twine ($125), bejeweled drop earrings (from $40), a skull charm bracelet dotted with gems ($125), and a gold braided headband ($25, now...
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12/09/08
Ice, Ice, Baby
Jewelry is a personal business, and the new luxury Oakbrook boutique A. Marek Fine Jewelry (3021 Butterfield Rd., Ste. 108, Oakbrook; 630-954-2662, amarekfinejewelry.com) caters to just that notion. Opened in September, the store greets customers with bejeweled chandeliers, hand-painted wallpaper, and wrought iron gates, but the real star is its inventory of gorgeous jewels. Director Romana Malinowski says, “You’ll find things you never knew existed.” She may be talking about the titanium morning glory brooch encrusted...
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12/02/08
Vintage Modern
The Andersonville home goods haven White Attic opened its second location on Nov. 8th at 1842 North Damen Avenue (773-252-8844, thewhiteattic.com) in Bucktown’s fledgling design district. The owner, Terry Ledford, handpicks primarily vintage furniture with good bones and lovingly reworks them into pieces that are both modern and quirky. Ledford hand paints each piece, usually in creamy neutrals, and adds unexpected touches such as...
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