CB2
A concept store by furniture giant Crate&Barrel, CB2 got its start right here in Chicago. Expect bold basics for trendy urban abodes, all sans big-ticket price tags.
10 Best Places to Shop in Chicago, Illinois
A potent concentration of famous retailers around Michigan Avenue and neighborhoods bursting with one-of-a-kind stores combine to make Chicago a shopper's paradise. Michigan Avenue's legendary Magnificent Mile lures thousands of avid shoppers every week. How often can you find Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys New York within walking distance of one another? In recent years State Street has regained some of its former glory as well, with discount department stores sharing prime real estate with trendier clothing boutiques and the Block 37 retail development.
Neighborhood shopping areas, like fun-but-sophisticated Lincoln Park, eclectic Lakeview, and the hipster haven of Wicker Park/Bucktown, offer countless independent stores that cater to every desire, whether Prairie tyle furniture, cowboy boots, or outsider art. And there are countless smaller shopping enclaves within these neighborhoods that have concentrated clusters of antiques stores, home-furnishings shops, high-end boutiques, and other specialty stores. Those averse to paying retail won't have to venture far to unearth bargains on everything from fine jewelry to business attire. When it comes to shopping, this is one city that has it all.
Be forewarned that a steep 9.5% sales tax is added to all purchases in the city except groceries and prescription drugs. Neighborhood shops on the North Side, especially those in Wicker Park and Bucktown, tend to open late—around 11 or noon. Most stores, particularly those on North Michigan Avenue and the North Side, are open on Sunday, although this varies by type of business (galleries, for example, are often closed on Monday); where applicable, more information is provided at the beginning of each category.
Brimfield
Brimfield is brimming with blankets, pillows, and more made from the popular plaid fabric for which this store was named. But don't worry if you're not crazy for checks; vintage furniture and home accessories in a host of other cozy-chic styles are available as well.
The Chopping Block
New and seasoned chefs appreciate the expertly chosen selection of cookware, bakeware, tools, ingredients, and food-friendly wines here. Intimate cooking classes are hugely popular and taught by a fun, knowledgeable staff (participants get 10% off store merchandise).
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Humboldt House
This Humboldt Park lifestyle boutique is packed with stylish treasures. The selection of tableware is a particular strength, favoring natural woods, sculptural glasses, and enamelware in a 1970s palette. There are also cool clutches, handmade earrings, letterpress cards, and feminist buttons and stickers.
Lightology
Dedicated to modern lighting, this 3-story, 20,000-square-foot showroom is an essential stop for designers and architects, not to mention passersby drawn to the window displays. Lightology is the brainchild of Greg Kay, who started out as a roller-disco lighting designer in the 1970s.
Luminaire
The international contemporary furniture in this 21,000-square-foot showroom includes pieces by Philippe Starck and Antonio Citterio. Sleek kitchen designs and tabletop pieces are from Zaha Hadid and other edgy designers from around the globe.
Manifesto
For more than 35 years, this showroom has presented the finest in elegant modern furniture from designers such as Poltrona Frau, Ceccotti, Wittmann, and COR, as well as custom in-house designs by the Manifesto Design Group.
Orange Skin
The go-to resource for modern furniture, lighting, and accessories in Chicago carries pieces by Minotti, Philippe Starck, and Piero Lissoni in a bi-level industrial space.
Sprout Home
Sprout’s original location deals in all things green: think terrariums, planters, and bud vases for your indoor life, plus unusual plants and gardening products for your outdoor one. A newer annex directly across the street is geared more toward beautifying your tabletop with boho handmade ceramics, linen textiles, and handsome culinary journals.
Wilderhouse
The color palette is restricted to neutrals and the style is minimalist at this airy home goods shop, but the offerings are anything but dull. Come for modern sculptural vases, freckled hand-thrown pottery, dried florals, and understated work shirts. The prices are a little higher than some other area boutiques, but the quality is, too.
