I cover retail news for Chicago magazine in a column called Sales Check, which runs weekly online and monthly in print. Click here to view all of my columns online.
Thomas + Henry Opens in Old Town
Jan 8, 2013
By Lynn Okura Bey
Beauty Shop
Lovely merchandise and a charming space where one can be pampered—the new Thomas + Henry (1445 N. Wells St., 312-337-1445, facebook.com/thomasandhenry) is a true beauty shop. The boutique is the latest venture from Jim Jostes, who, with business partner Paul Lechlinsky, also co-owns the home furnishing store Room Service (5438 N. Clark St., 773-878-5438, roomservice-chicago.com) in Andersonville. “There was a need for a personal and home goods store in Old Town,” Jostes says. “What’s been really exciting for us and getting the most reaction are our unusual gift objects.” Thomas + Henry is filled with the kind of small additions that really make a home—vintage glass and barware from the 60s and 70s ($35–$350), hand-poured candles by Apotheke ($32.50), and sustainable hand soaps by Further ($18.50).
Along with home goods, vintage furniture pieces, and hostess gifts, Thomas + Henry will soon double as a salon with Swedish hair care line Sachajuan (sachajuan.com) at the helm. Jostes, a hairdresser for 15 years, plans to add salon services to the space in the coming months, with just himself and one additional stylist on staff. “It’s a more personalized experience than big conglomerations with eight to 20 chairs,” he says. “A private salon experience.”
Two Indie Art and Gift Shops Open on the North Side
Nov 27, 2012
By Lynn Okura Bey
Etsy-esque Emporiums
It’s become Chicago’s unofficial map—that typographic neighborhood poster created by local graphic designer Jenny Beorkrem of Ork Posters that’s likely hanging on your living room wall. If it’s not, pick one up at Neighborly (2003 W. Montrose Ave., 773-840-2456, neighborlyshop.com), Beorkrem’s new storefront. The shop contains the complete Ork Posters collection of maps ($22-$35), along with home goods, quirky gifts, and a treasure trove of wall accessories created by independent artists.
For more curated finds from the local creative community, check out Paperish Mess (1955 W. Chicago Ave., 312-265-1497, paperishmess.com), an art gallery and boutique that opened in Ukrainian Village earlier this month. The shelves teem with hidden gems similar to those you’d stumble upon at a pop-up art fair: original artwork, handmade decor, and wearable wants by more than 50 independent artists. Look out for letterpress prints, artisanal soaps, hand-knit scarves, and Shop Kitty—the store’s loveable feline mascot. Prices start at $4, with most items ranging $20-$50.
Luxury Garage Sale Opens in Old Town This Week
Nov 6, 2012
By Lynn Okura Bey
Buy It Now
Without close inspection, the casual passerby wouldn’t realize Luxury Garage Sale (1658 N. Wells St., 312-291-9126, luxurygaragesale.com)—with its luxe patterned wallpaper, rich blue velvet curtains, and lack of mothballs—is actually a consignment shop. After two years of pop-up shops and eBay sales (stores.ebay.com/eLuxuryGarageSale), owners Brielle Buchberg and Lindsay Segal decided it was time to establish a home base, and got to work on their soon-to-open Old Town storefront. “The reason we hesitated to open a store is because consignment shops can get stale,” Segal says. “Our store is different because we’ll be getting in new items every single day.” Those items include everything from contemporary designers like DVF, Tibi, and Tory Burch all the way up to Hermes, Balenciaga, and Prada. It’s quite a range, and the price tags ($30 to $10,000) reflect that. Plus, half of the store’s items have never even been worn—Buchberg and Segal work with stores nationwide to sell their extra inventory for up to 85 percent off retail.
Luxury Garage Sale opens its doors Thursday at 10 a.m. Currently in stock: a Chanel tote bag ($1,295), Missoni striped top ($75), and piles of vintage jewelry ($30-$500). Those with designer duds hanging in their closets can bring in their goods to consign (the store will collect a 35 percent commission).
Will Chicago-Based Stock Mfg. Co. Become the Kickstarter of Fashion?
Feb 19, 2013
By Lynn Okura Bey
Fashion Democracy
A new website is shaking up the fashion scene, making a notoriously competitive market easier to break into for new and talented designers—and it’s based right here in Chicago. Stock Mfg. Co. (stockmfg.co) officially launched last week with a simple mission: to produce high-quality, American-made fashion at the lowest possible price. To accomplish this, Stock collaborates with emerging designers to feature a pre-sale of their designs on stockmfg.co. In Kickstarter-like fashion, the consumer decides if the item will be produced or not. Only when enough people purchase the item during the presale will Stock finance and manufacture it in their Garfield Park factory and ship it (for no additional cost) to the buyer.
Currently, the site showcases a women’s printed silk de chine blouse ($95) by Chicago designer Kristine Campbell of Black Cap & Bib (facebook.com/BlackCapBib). On deck is designer Shelby Steiner (shelbysteiner.com), another up-and-coming local who does her own sketching, pattern-making, and sewing. Stock also designs and manufactures its own line of men’s shirts ($85–$115), bowties ($40), and neckties ($45), all available for immediate purchase.
