Shop Happy: Independent Stores with Art and More
These stand-alone creative stores are what make shopping and gift-giving fun as well as meaningful to an artist or store owner. Sometimes spending time in the following spaces is as good as stepping into an artist’s studio to see what catches their eye, and maybe yours too.
– CGN
Serizawa Bundle of Stationery Joy. $68.00
BARI ZAKI stocks many magical items in her North Lincoln Ave. store, including heirloom-quality hand-bound books and albums, washi tape, pencils, erasers and wrapping paper so pretty you can frame it. She also assembles seasonal paper bundles that are enveloped in materials like vintage calendar pages from the 1980’s beribboned with Japanese flat cord. Each bundle is unique and contains around 20 artist and designer notecards, envelopes and postcards from Zaki’s vast collection. You can order online, but you should definitely go in person.
Monument Bookend. Italian White Carrara marble, black neoprene. Single bookend, 8” high, 6” deep and wide. $180.
Artist and SAIC grad Jean Cate named her shop Martha Mae: Art Supplies & Beautiful Things after her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The store offers a curated selection of tools for writing, drawing, painting and ceramics as well as special supplies for everyday life – from puzzles and key rings to stemless wine glasses – crafted by brands and artisans from around the world. Many products use reusable, recycled or refillable formats. Cate’s sister shop, The Center of Order and Experimentation, is the home to the Martha Mae Outpost and is located in West Town.
Chicago Sign Painter Tee. $35.00
MIDWEST NICE aims to genuinely celebrate the Midwest’s vibrant creativity and warm welcomes. Here you can discover one-of-a-kind gifts, apparel, and artwork from over 100 local artists and makers across the Midwest. Thoughtfully curated, community-driven and always full of heart you wear on your sleeves, head or wherever. Give this shirt to anyone who loves hand-painted grocer signs (who doesn’t?)
Midwest Nice has store locations in Lincoln Square in Chicago and on Third Street in Geneva, IL.
Cloud Tissue Box Cover by JOYTOAST. 3D Printed to order in Chicago and made from eco BioPlastic from plants! $24.00
HUMBOLDT HOUSE is a feminist home goods store founded in 2013 in Humboldt Park by Claire Tibbs as a celebration of the home and all its happenings — from nightly rituals to morning routines, snack time to candle hour. HH offers items unique to Chicago alongside beautiful pet toys, baby and kid gifts, paper goods, and very personal items... HH also offers monthly subscription boxes by theme–cooking or self-care plus pet treats–starting at $75/mo.
Rachel Quinn. Crowned Skull Necklace. 14kt yellow gold skull with diamond eyes. Sapphire, diamond, ruby crown Tahitian Pearl drop. $ 2,050.00
VIRTU in Bucktown has been family owned and operated for over 25 years. They sell fine jewelry, whimsical children’s plush toys, witty greeting cards, artisan throw blankets, incense bundles, and much more. They are champions of artists, small business and community. Their long tenure in a rapidly changing part of the city is testament to how much the neighborhood loves and supports them.
Isabelle Gougenheim Designs | Scarf. 21 x 21”, 75% Modal 25% Cupro. Designed in Chicago. $ 235
Located in Hyde Park and founded by Eric Williams in 1997, THE SILVER ROOM has been supporting local designers, hosting events and building community for over 20 years. TSR features product categories like Chicago Made and Black Owned, with a range of offerings from enamel pins by Wicker Park’s Transit Tees, to luxury scarves by Isabelle Gougenhiem, jewelry, hand-painted trucker hats, soaps (made by Soap Distillery, one is called Beer and Cigarettes) and totes. Many items you won’t find easily anywhere else.
BUDDY, at the Chicago Cultural Center downtown, sells a range of art objects by local artists. Each of Chicago-based Mayumi Lake’s 6” x 6” ornaments feature colorful flower motifs from antique girl kimonos, mini works of art you can display on a holiday tree or anywhere all year long. $30 each.
