A display window at Hutch

Boosted Roost

The countrified goods at Andersonville’s Roost vintage shop have always seemed to be bursting at the seams of its two jam-packed storefronts (5632–5634 North Clark Street), with sturdy crockery, massive planters, and weathered wood bins and tables often spilling out onto the sidewalk. Last week owner Daniel Malone expanded the coop and opened The Hutch around the corner at 1550 West Olive Street. The new venture plans to showcase tableware and serving pieces, and when I stopped by to preview, it didn’t disappoint. Shelves are stocked with creamy ceramic pitchers, homey/industrial lamps, souvenir state plates, and spindle-legged, patinaed farm chairs and tables. I also stumbled (and not metaphorically—watch your step, for reals!) upon the neighboring Good Deal Garage, a cavernous, dusty space piled high with a mixed bag of used furniture, kitschy signs, old games and toys, and assorted tag-sale trinkets. Not for everyone, mind you, but it’s a diligent DIY-er’s dream, especially for imaginative pickers who are handy with sandpaper and not afraid of a little elbow grease.

A clock from Circa Modern

It’s About Time

Trained architect, savvy restorer, and online vintage furniture dealer Jared Peterson has teamed up with Don Schmaltz to open the Ukie Village shop Circa Modern at 1114 North Ashland Avenue (773-697-9239). Now you can fondle the finishes and peep the Italian, American, and Scandinavian goods in person at a brick-and-mortar location, starting on Saturday, March 31, 12–9, at CM’s celebratory opening.

A vintage poster featuring a topless blonde

Ad Sales

The annual International Vintage Poster Fair comes to town March 30 through April 1 at the Chicago Cultural Center, and this year it’s going to be lethal. The market's special feature exhibit draws aim at the seven deadly sins, offering devil-may-care posters touting adult beverages, tobacco and other tempting smokables, B-movies, and salubrious slabs of cheese- and beef-cake. Get your commercial breaks at this serious, vetted showing of more than 10,000 original posters available from dozens of dealers, including local vendors Spencer Weisz, the Chicago Center for the Print, and Posters Plus. Tickets for the Friday night preview, to benefit the Evening Associates of the Art Institute, are $45; regular admission is $15.

An item from Chipped 'n' Cracked

Land of 10,000 Plates

The northerly Clark Street design strip’s cups truly overfloweth this month, it seems, as in addition to Roost’s dishful thinking, partners Paul Beitler and Miguel Royo are taking their longtime eBay business (Chipped ‘n’ Cracked) to the streets. Beitler and Royo have been selling antiques for more than 20 years, and specialize in vintage china, glassware, and crystal; items that will be supplemented with furniture, artwork, and costume jewelry when the boys open Ya Ya’s Antiques at 5517 N. Clark Street (773-431-1916) on Sunday, April 1. Regular hours will be Monday to Saturday, 11–7, and Sunday, 11–5, but you can get your ya-yas out at a grand opening celebration this Saturday from 6–9. Aloha, Ya Ya!

Cyprus Black Lake Lava salt from Spices of Lezzet

Lezzet Fare

This is the time of year when Midwest chefs are segueing from the sweatpants-friendly stews, super-bowls of chili, and bacon-wrapped meat loafs of winter into lighter, swimsuit-season backyard barbecue fare, and Spices of Lezzet has some new spring offerings to help us put the fresc in alfresco dining. The Chicago-based importer just launched six spicy products that business partners Akin Girav and Nils Bunde corralled from their worldly travels, and you can pick them up online, or catch them at the River East Art Center’s monthly Dose markets. Try their new Mediterranean BBQ seasoning, sweet poultry blend, or this seriously sexy Cyprus Black Lake Lava salt with its flaky, crunchy crystals that I’m thirsting to use on the rims of some sweaty summer margaritas.

An unhappy man

Room Freshener

Got a frumpy frunch room (it’s a Chicago thing…)  or a broke-back breakfast nook that needs some TLC?  Water Tower Place is here to help, with its Out With the Old, In With the New contest. From now until April 19,  you can submit a pic of a room where shabby turned the other chic, and potentially win a $2,500 gift card to spruce it up.