Home > Chicago Style > Accessories > Spare Parts

Spare Parts has been a Chicago shopping stalwart since it opened as a leather shop on Clybourn in the late '80s. Through several sets of owners, it's evolved over the years into an accessory and gift shop with a hip, contemporary sensibility. Since husband-and-wife team Donte and Vanessa Mearon bought the business in 2006, they've instilled a superb sense of gender equality into their offerings.

"I'm obsessed with cufflinks," says Donte, who carries designs crafted from old ballpark seats by Tokens & Coins as well as bold dichroic glass ones by Geneva-based Donellen Designs. Chicago favorite Erin Gallagher's couture jewelry line is also carried here, along with geometric gemstone pieces by Patricia Locke and organic, nature-inspired Silver Season jewelry cast from wax molds of actual leaves. Bags are also a focus here, including fine leather wallets and purses by popular brands Hobo International and Lodis. Spare Parts is also an exclusive carrier of hand-sewn leather bags from Village Tannery, a well-known shop in NYC's Greenwich Village. Shoppers can select their favorite style and leather and place a custom order; for an extra fee, Donte will decorate it with a custom paint job, too -- a service he started offering when friends admired a tree design he painted on his own bag.

Don't leave without taking a close look at the walls here, where you'll find paintings by Donte himself as well as collaborative artwork with friend Adam Kaplan, known locally for his custom Serotta bike fittings at Get A Grip Cycles.

See more:

Lakeview East stores, Chicago stores, Accessory stores