At this time of year, shopping can seem like a chore. And the more you do it, the more things look the same (didn’t I see that sweater in the last store)? That’s where boutiques come in. They deal in the unique. Doesn’t everyone want to think they’ve chosen something special for the person on their holiday list?
We polled our suburban staff for their favorites, and added a few spots of our own, to compile this guide to fun boutiques.
Happy shopping!
CITY
Flatts and Sharpe Music Co.
6749 Sheridan Rd.; 773-465-5233, www.flatts-sharpe.com
The goods: Guitars, sheet music, music lessons.
Unique factor: Tried-and-true folks who know their stuff.
Convenience factor: Along Sheridan Road in Rogers Park.
–Liam Ford
Isis on Armitage
823 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-665-7290
The goods: Out-of-the-ordinary clothing, from casual to dressy.
Unique factor: The best part of Isis is the manager, Victoria Fuchs. She dresses many of Chicago’s black high-powered women. She knows what looks good and is bluntly truthful.
Convenience factor: Armitage and Halsted.
–Marcia Lythcott
Traipse
4724 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-275-5111, www.traipseshoes.com
The goods: Shoes.
Unique factor: Really funky shoes. Owner Margaret really pays attention to her customers. She’s a hugger and really gets to know her customers.
Convenience factor: In Lincoln Square.
–Marcia Lythcott
Sole Lounge
1516 E. 63rd St.; 773-363-0995, www.sole-lounge.com
The goods: Upscale shoes.
Unique factor: All kinds of fabulous shoes, including one-of-a-kind, handmade evening footwear.
–Marcia Lythcott
Morris & Sons
557 W. Polk St.; 312-243-5635, morrisandsons.com
The goods: A high-end clothing store for men and women.
Unique factor: European designers. The odd thing about this place is that you will see people from all walks of life here. It’s like the UN. On-site tailor.
–Marcia Lythcott
In Fine Spirits
5418 N. Clark St., 773-506-9463, infinespirits.com
The goods: A wine boutique.
Unique factor: This small wine shop has a great selection, reasonable prices and an amazingly helpful owner.
Convenience factor: In Andersonville.
–Saleema Syed
Wolfbait
3131 W. Logan Blvd.; 312-698-8685, wolfbaitchicago.com
The goods: Clothes, accessories and artwork made in Chicago.
Unique factor: You will see everything from funky jewelry to interesting handbags to cool framed photos to fun baby clothes. It’s also affordable–they have T-shirts that cost $25, not $125. Also, you might see the owners making their clothes– when I was there I saw one designer trying to attach snaps to some jeans.
Convenience factor: The Damen area.
— Kathryn Masterson
Porte Rouge
1911 W. Division St.; 773-269-2800, porterouge.biz
The goods: Beautiful French tablecloths and placemats, plus dishes.
Unique factor: Gift items. But our favorite thing is their French tea collection. They’ve got wonderfully glamorous tea that makes a lovely and affordable gift. And they always have some brewed, so you can sip a nice cup (out of a real glass cup, not some paper sample-sized cup) while you shop.
Convenience factor: It’s situated in the heart of the Division Street shopping district, so there are plenty of clothing boutiques and restaurants nearby.
–Kathryn Masterson
Breathe
1252 S. Halsted St.; 312-997-2411, www.breatheboutique.com
The goods: Clothes, accessories.
Unique factor: Great selection of jeans, very cute jewelry, but mostly I like the attitude, or lack thereof, the sales people possess. Maybe it’s because the shop is located on a college campus, but that air of boutique snobbery is just totally absent. They also do fun events.
Convenience factor: In the middle of new Maxwell Street/University Village corridor.
–Heidi Stevens
Bon bon
5410 N. Clark St.; 773-784-9882, www.bonbonchicago.com
The goods: Chocolate
Unique factor: Each chocolate at this tiny shop is a handmade jewel. The tastes tend toward the exotic: curry, chili and ginger–they look and taste like something you should savor. They have one design called the Kama Sutra (naughty!).
Convenience factor: It’s in the heart of Andersonville, street parking available. It’s perfect for gifts.
–Jane Hirt
I.D.
3337 N. Halsted St.; 773-755-4343, www.idchicago.com
The goods: Modern home accessories and gifts, particularly items from the Netherlands. There is also a good designer eyewear section and in-house eye doctor.
Unique factor: For lovers of IKEA who don’t mind spending a little more and don’t want what everyone else has. Sometimes, only five or so of an item come in.
Convenience factor: In heart of Boystown and open late, so you can pop in before hitting the neighborhood’s restaurants or bars.
–Kelly Aiglon
Flight001
1133 N. State St.; 312-944-1001, www.flight001.com
The goods: Travel accessories, gifts and luggage.
Unique factor: There are musts, like travel Scrabble and eye masks, but the selection goes beyond the basics with imported CDs, bath and body goods, watches, etc. The store also makes patented storage units for packing.
Convenience: In the Gold Coast and two blocks from the Red Line Clark/Division stop.
–Kelly Aiglon
All She Wrote
825 W. Armitage Ave., 773-529-0100; 100 E. Walton St., 312-274-3470; 566 Chestnut St., Winnetka, 847-784-8200; www.allshewrote.com
The goods: Stationery, invites, gifts and party favors.
Unique factor: Everything can be monogrammed; perfect for gifting!
Convenience: Great! Three locations — Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Winnetka.
–Kelly Aiglon
Lille
1923 W. North Ave.; 773-342-0563, lilleashop.com
The goods: Cool housewares.
Unique factor: Very contemporary glass and housewares, with resin trays and bowls, Chilewich placemats (which everyone has now, but Lille had them way early) and cubes for seating or side tables.
Convenience factor: Just a block from the Wicker Park hub of Damen, North and Milwaukee Avenues.
–Joe Gray
Addendum
3341 N. Broadway; 773-404-9222
The goods: Home items, jewelry, cards, and some personal accessories like purses and scarves.
Unique factor: The antique and vintage jewelry collection the shop sells. The collector traveled around the world for years, both for business and accompanying her husband who was with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Now, she is selling off the collection piece by piece. Each piece has a date and some have their own story.
Convenience factor: Nestled among a bunch of other great boutiques.
–Laura Moran
WEST
Hammer
703 W. Hillgrove Ave., LaGrange; 708-354-NAIL
The goods: Handcrafted furniture, jeans and T-shirts; jewelry, handbags and artwork from local artists.
Unique factor: This store is unique inside and out, with its wood-hewn exterior and hand-crafted wood designs in the store. Old-growth recycled wood and antiques are used to create items, and the craftsmanship is amazing.
Convenience factor: Located a few blocks from downtown LaGrange, but across street from Metra Stone Avenue station.
–Richard Wronski
SO Stockholm Objects
26 W. Chicago Ave., Hinsdale; 630-655-0966, www.stockholmobjects.com
The goods: Sleek Scandinavian style, from housewares to fashion.
Unique factor: This tiny boutique skips the kitsch and goes for the clean in its Scandinavian design. Fabulous Pleece ridged scarves, spotted cow-hide clogs, two-toned pillows and even those out-there golf shirts favored by Jesper Parvnevik are here, along with a very friendly staff.
Convenience factor: Off the beaten path in Hinsdale; on-street parking.
–Linda Bergstrom
French Toast
2 W. 1st St., Hinsdale; 630-850-7500
The goods: Paris, or at least its trappings, in Hinsdale
Unique factor: Need a gift and don’t have a clue? Chances are you will find something in this “little French department store.” Hats and scarves, Barefoot Contessa jars and sauces, scented soaps and lotions, jewelry and unique women’s clothes. Touches of France are everywhere, in notecards and even the music played.
Convenience factor: Down a few steps at 1st and Washington Streets.
–Linda Bergstrom
Naper Nuts and Sweets
10 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville; 630-355-5330, www.napernutsandsweets.com
The goods: Popcorn, candies and chocolates.
Unique factor: Homemade caramel corn and cheese popcorn, fine chocolates, nostalgic and novelty candy, sugar-free candy and chocolate, custom gift baskets and college care packages. The kids love the steam train that circles the shop’s ceiling. The shop is also noted for its unrelenting support for soldiers fighting in the Iraq war. Since February 2003, the shop has shipped anywhere from 500 to 1,000 packages of red-white-and-blue popcorn a week to soldiers in Iraq. You’ll see the photos of soldiers posted in the shop’s window.
Convenience factor: Downtown Naperville.
–Jennifer Taylor
Heritage Shoppe of Jefferson Hill
43 E. Jefferson Ave., Naperville; 630-420-7992, www.jeffersonhillshops.com
The goods: Unique decorative accessories and gifts.
Unique factor: The store offers mostly American-made items and features a large selection of teapots and teacups (ideal because of the tea room located in the building) and the Bovano Vovano line of sculptures. There are some exclusive items, such as Byers’ Choice caroler figurines.
Convenience factor: Downtown Naperville.
–Jennifer Taylor
Bull and Bear Tobacco Shop
22 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; 630-428-2888, www.bullandbear.us
The goods: Tobacco and cigar products.
Unique factor: The shop boasts nine full-size walk-in humidors, 27,000 cigars and a smoking lounge outfitted with leather chairs and cable television.
Convenience factor: Downtown Naperville.
–Jennifer Taylor
Shoes in the Park
406 Thomas Ave., Forest Park; 708-771-8760
The goods: Men’s and women’s shoes, purses and some clothing.
Unique factor: They have trendy and traditional styles so a mother, teen daughter and son can all find something they like that’s the current style, but one of a kind; and the prices are reasonable.
Convenience factor: It’s 1 mile from downtown Oak Park’s shops.
–Regina Robinson
NORTH / NORTHWEST
Citywoods
651 Central Ave., Highland Park; 847-432-9393
The goods: Housewares, furniture, jewelry, lamps, picture frames and what-have-you, all handmade by American artisans out of wood, ceramics, metals and other materials. New items arrive daily.
Unique factor: Jewelry designer Patricia Locke, a Highland Park resident whose work is amply represented in the store, is scheduled for a personal appearance and trunk show 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 14. Those feeling extravagant might consider a hand-carved, painted wooden bench that could double as a coffee table, for $1,155.
Convenience factor: Downtown Highland Park, 5 minutes east of U.S. Highway 41.
–Pam Becker
Morningfields Market
800 W. Devon, Park Ridge; 847-696-4200
The goods: Specialty and gourmet food store, along with bakery and butcher.
Unique factor: Longtime area high-end grocer, with many hard-to-find seasonal foods and baked goods, plus a good wine selection.
Convenience factor: In a small shopping district south of Park Ridge’s downtown, at Devon and Cumberland Avenues.
–Liam Ford
The Crystal Cave
1141 Central Ave., Wilmette; 847-251-1160, www.crystalcaveofchicago.com
The goods: A lot of cool Christmas gift-type stuff, from ornaments to champagne glasses and pretty doodads, in all price ranges.
Unique factor: Lots of places sell crystal, but it’s hard to imagine a store with this much of it. You can also get items engraved.
Convenience factor: 10 minutes from Old Orchard mall.
–Dan Gibbard
Plain and Simple
713 Main St., Evanston; 847-491-9210, plainandsimplefurniture.com
The goods: Amish furniture and quilts, made by Amish craftsmen and women from northern Indiana.
Unique factor: Great place to go to buy beautiful, long-lasting arts and crafts-style furniture that looks great in Chicago-style bungalows and other arts and crafts homes.
Convenience factor: Located 1 block from “L” and Metra stops; blocks from downtown Evanston.
–Tracy Van Moorlehem
Ten Thousand Villages
719 Main St., Evanston; 847-733-8258, www.tenthousandvillages.com
The goods: The work of artisans from all over the world.
Unique factor: A branch of non-profit shops that are mostly run by volunteers. They have the coolest, most interesting handmade gifts (from exotic rugs to jewelry and toys) and they work with villages to provide a fair wage for the artisans. (Also one in Grayslake, in new Prairie Crossing retail area: 960 Harris Rd., Suite 1B, Grayslake)
Convenience factor: Downtown area.
–Lisa Black
Amberland Artisans
440 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove; 847-821-1768, amberlandartisans.com
The goods: Baltic arts
Unique factor: Look for lovely hand-woven linen napkins from Latvia, unframed watercolors and knit winter hats. And, oh yes, lots and lots of amber jewelry.
Convenience factor: Near Long Grove’s covered bridge.
–Judy Hevrdejs
SOUTHWEST
Saraboo Creek
2313 Plainfield Rd., Crest Hill; 815-730-3390, www.saraboocreek.com
The goods: Personalized signs.
The unique factor: Looking for a individualized touch? This place has cute, custom-designed wooden plaques and yard and garden signs. Also has neat home decor and gifts.
Convenience factor: About a mile east of Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet.
–Annemarie Mannion
The Scottish Shop
6115 S. Archer Rd., Summit; 708-594-5773
The goods: A Scottish delight.
Unique factor: One-of-a-kind store that sells complete Scottish regalia, sells and rents kilts and has a tailor shop.
Convenience factor: In downtown Summit.
–Jeff Borgardt
Poppies
1036 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor; 708-798-0445
The goods: Women’s fashion and accessories.
Unique factor: Upscale boutique with women’s fashions and home decor.
Convenience: Near several restaurants, including Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery.
–Margie Ritchie
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