I hope you don't mind a different suggestion, but are you familiar with the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the area? That would be at the top of my list - over shopping. Just thought I'd share in case you hadn't though of it - http://www.gowright.org/

His Taliesin West outside Scottsdale is one of my FAVORITE stops ever. I've returned several times. I find his innovation fascinating.

Actually that's the touring we'll be doing. My godson is an architect and we are definitely going to make that our focus. Shopping is really just a diversion if there is time.
Thanks!

A few blocks from the Wright house and several other houses is the "shopping area" in Oak Park, and unless alot has changed in the last few years, not much shopping there. There was a department store, and several other smaller shops, but not much to speak of.

Enjoy the Wright home tour.

I haven't found anything too out of the ordinary there. there are a couple of strip mall groupings. Old Navy, Walgreens, Whole foods, I think Ann Taylor the Loft..It does not have very good shopping . But you are just a hop away on the EL to Macy's and downtown.

http://www.shopoakpark.com/merchant-service-listings.html

Thank you for the responses. I am sure we will enjoy the Wright houses, I have visited several and they are indeed fascinating. I like to support independent, locally owned businesses when I visit but it sounds like pretty slim options in Oak Park.

There are a couple shops on the pedestrian street side of Marion, where Coldstream Ice Cream is on the north side of the tracks. I have bought some gifts there, but I don't recall much more than that shop. But I have to admit, I go to Oak park at least once a year but haven't walked the entire Lake Street and side streets for quite a while so you may find something I have not stumbled upon.

I am much less familiar with the places near Oak Park Avenue.

There is a Trader's Joes around there now, too.