Locals Only

Made In Chicago Presented by AIBI (44 E. Grand Ave.; 312-836-1041), a pop-up shop produced by the City of Chicago’s Apparel Industry Board Inc., brings together clothing, accessories, and home items from 21 local designers. “We believe that if Chicagoans are more aware of what’s available in Chicago, then they will shop in Chicago,” says Marsha Brenner, executive director of AIBI. Merchandise, which hails from both up-and-coming and veteran designers, includes motorcycle-inspired t-shirts (from $20) and hoodies (from $45) from VaVaVroom (vavavroomonline.com); silk and leather table runners (from $197) from Le’Fleur Interiors by Diana; peacock feather and sterling silver earrings ($40) from SoundChick Accessories (soundchickaccessories.com); and a handmade gown in repurposed fabric from Lauren Lein (laurenlein.com). The temporary boutique divides its eclectic selection into a series of rooms, including a clearance room with more than 50 percent discounts on pieces by featured designers such as Forme Millinery (formeonlineshop.com) and Killion (killionclothes.com). Made In Chicago is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., until its doors close Saturday, December 31.

 

Top Sales This Week

Glitter, an annual holiday shopping event that highlights local vendors, touches down Thursday, December 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.). The show features apparel, jewelry, and accessories from 24 independent retailers and designers—including denim line Jean and James, women’s wear designer Kristin Hassan (kristinhassan.com), and custom jeweler Susanne Siegel (susannesiegel.com)—as well as complimentary gift wrapping and refreshments.

One of a Kind Show and Sale Chicago (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza; 312-527-4141, oneofakindshowchicago.com) offers unique ceramics, glassware, sculpture, clothing, accessories, and other items from more than 600 North American artisans. The show runs Thursday, December 1 through Sunday, December 4 and includes artist demonstrations, craft workshops, fashion shows, and live music.

 

The Best of the Rest

  • Ladies’ Night Out (downtownglenellyn.com) returns to downtown Glen Ellyn—with cocktails, appetizers, live music, and deals at more than 20 boutiques—on Tuesday, November 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. Visit downtownglenellyn.com for a list of participating businesses (each store offers $10 off on a future purchase for every $50 spent through Tuesday, December 6).
  • Sip and Shop, a weekly “holiday stroll” in Lincoln Square, kicks off Thursday, December 1 with discounts, promotions, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres at more than 30 local shops, including Little Green Baby (4654 N. Rockwell St.; 773-505-2066, mylittlegreenbaby.com), The Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-293-2665, bookcellarinc.com), and Havana Nights (2555 W. Lawrence Ave.; 773-907-0654, spahavananights.com). Sip and Shop events take place every Thursday in December leading up to Christmas from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit lincolnsquare.org/pages/SipShopHolidayStroll for more information.
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust (312-994-4020, gowright.org) hosts a holiday open house and shopping event with discounts on Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired furniture, décor, and accessories at The Rookery (209 S. LaSalle St.; 312-553-6100, therookerybuilding.com) Thursday, December 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. Sparkling wine and treats are provided.
  • Lori's Shoes (824 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-281-5655, lorisshoes.com) launches its capsule collection for winter and spring with discounts, cocktails, appetizers, and gift bags on Saturday, December 3. Shoppers save 20 percent on purchases throughout the day.
  • Renegade Craft Fair holds its sixth annual holiday market (renegadecraft.com/holiday-chicago)—rounding up jewelry, clothing, paper goods, artwork, beauty products, and other handmade products from 150-plus crafters—at Pulaski Park field house (1419 W. Blackhawk St.) on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4.
  • Winter Wonderfest in Roscoe Village (roscoevillage.org) takes place Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4. After the neighborhood’s annual tree lighting at 5 p.m. Saturday, local boutiques extend their hours for late-night shopping. Deals carry over through Sunday, when events include caroling, trolley rides, and a visit from Santa. Go to roscoevillage.org for more information.
  • Central Street Evanston puts on a holiday open house (centralstreet-evanston.com) with discounts, raffles, refreshments, and entertainment along Central Street from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 4. Participating boutiques include Gavin (1939 Central St.; 847-328-7407, shopgavin.com) and Notice Accessories (2112 Central St.; 847-905-0947, notice-this.com).
  • Bliss Chicago at the W Chicago Lakeshore (644 N. Lake Shore Drive; 877-862-5477, blissworld.com) offers 30-minute holiday spa treatments through Saturday, December 31. Choose from a “party dress prep” body treatment with body-firming dry brushing ($70), a “shopper’s delight” massage with a cucumber mask ($70), and a “post-party perk-up” facial and eye treatment ($60).