gardendiva

I will be in Chicago for a long weekend. I will be traveling alone. It has been a while since I have been there (10 years). I know that there is great shopping on Michigan Ave. However, we have most of the same stores in our local malls. Are there any places that have unique shops, such as, small independents? The last time I was in Chicago we came upon such a street that had unique stores but I cannot remember where it was.

I am also open for casual dining ideas where eating alone would be more comfortable.

Thank you

fishee

Damen Ave is probably what you're thinking of -- (Damen Blue Stop station). There are alot more chain stores now in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area -- Marc Jacobs, BCBG, Club Monaco, etc but there are also the local boutiques that this area used to be known for. There's also Halsted Ave in Lincoln Park -- same story -- lots of chain stores now with a few local boutiques mixed in.

In the Bucktown area -- casual places include Sultan's Market (falafel and Chicken/lamb shawerma), Bon Bon Cafe (Vietnamese sandwiches) Piece pizza in the afternoon, Big Star (pork belly and el pastor tacos), Filter Cafe has some satisfying stuff on the menu, Earwax is a total dine alone place, although i'd feel fine dining alone at place like Cafe Laguaradia too -- they have a lounge-y area that isn't tables-focused although there will be large groups there in the evenings.

Gina817

I love all of fishee's ideas. An extra vote for Sultan's as it's not only delicious, but also a great value. If you are in the areas listed above, you can even travel further South to the Ukrainian Village area...lots of unique/local shops and restaurants. Letizia's Natural Bakery is one of my favorites.

I'd be remiss not to mention my own neighborhood. Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square has a lot of great shops and restaurants too. Merz Apothecary has been there forever and Cafe Selmarie is a good bet for food.

Have a great time in Chicago...and thank you for thinking outside the MI Ave area.

Skiergirl

Don't forget about North Southport! N. Southport north of Belmont and south of Irving Park is lined with cute boutiques. I used to live in Chicago and go nuts shopping there when I visit. I haven't been since 2009 so I don't know if anything has closed, but also N. Damen from North Avenue on up is good and so is W.Armitage b/t Halsted and Racine and N. Halsted b/t Armitage and Fullerton has good shopping.

exiledprincess

Let me preface by saying that I am totally in favor of your going out into the outlying neighborhoods and seeing how it really is to live, shop, eat and be entertained as Chicagoans do. If you take a look at my previous responses, you'll find much information about some of the north side neighborhoods.

And I totally agree that much of the Magnificent Mile is now big chain stores. Chains pay the (high) rent. You will also find the trend that chains pay the rent in those most gentrified neighborhoods or gentrifying (such as Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park/Bucktown). Small independents have a hard time of making a go of it once a neighborhood becomes gentrified or trendy, since the prices soar.

That being said, gardendiva, all of the above are great suggestions for boutique shopping. However, IMHO, shopping at boutiques is rarely a good choice for those shopping on a budget. You don't mention which of these types of shoppers you are, nor what type of merchandise you wish to purchase.

Here's a couple of suggestions for you, if your budget is limited or very limited:

1. You can first check out the websites of the neighborhoods (i.e., Wicker Park/Bucktown, Lincoln Park and so forth) or areas of the neighborhoods (N. Southport, Lakeview East (aka Boystown, etc.) themselves, which usually list the merchants and restaurants situated there. Many of those will have hyperlinks to the websites for the stores/restaurants themselves. They also show much additional information, such as information on recent articles about the area; special events or activities (especially around the holidays); etc. You can then see if prices for their merchandise are in your range. I doubt you want to be traveling for an hour or more to go to a store, expecting to find $25-50 scarves, only to discover they sell them for $150 or (a lot) more.

2. If you don't want to travel that far (limited time), there are many areas closer or in the downtown (the Loop); Magnificent Mile (including Streeterville) and River North areas which have independent shops. You just won't find them right on Michigan Avenue or State Street (south of the Chicago River). You have to get away from those major throughfares. For example, one transplant from the N. Southport corridor (although it's been there quite a few years now) is P.O.S.H. on N. State Street. Or Pastoral: Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine on E. Lake in the Loop - which is a second location of the store - the original being on N. Broadway (in Lakeview East aka Boystown).

So now I'll put in a plug for my old neighborhood, which I've just mentioned. N. Broadway from Diversey to around Addison. You can view the Lakeview East website for details on the area.

gardendiva

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will use your suggestions and do a bit of internet research.

Exiledprincess - You sound like my type of shopper. My sister suggested P.O.S.H. I think that might be the neighborhood I was in many years ago. I just got a MapEasy map and right in that area is says "lots of funky shops."

exiledprincess

You are very welcome.

I still think it's a great thing to get out and explore the city. Don't want to discourage you from that - just from wasting precious time, if not necessary.