For years, shopping has been synonymous with Lincoln Park. Chain stores have definitely permeated over the years, but you'll still find plenty of indie boutiques standing their ground.
Cruising down Armitage and Halsted are no-brainers, but don't miss the smattering of shops scattered off the main strips, such as Shopgirl, Cotelac, Kaveri, The Left Bank and Vrai Amour on Webster Avenue and Ani Afshar on Sheffield.
Click on the name of any store below for more details, phone numbers, hours, maps and more.
Shop Lincoln Park
Indie boutiques hold their own alongside chain stores in this long-time favorite of a shopping district
June 13, 2008
Out of the West
1021 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoUrban cowgirls and cowboys get their premium denim at this narrow corner shop.
Tabula Tua
1015 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoOwner Grace Tsao-Wu calls the tabletop wares at her boutique "jewelry for the entertainer." Whether you're the host or hostess with the mostest or are just shopping for a gift for one, this elegant shop will surely please with its stock of unusual glass and ceramic pieces by artisans from here and abroad.
Mint Julep
1013 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoOwner Sarah Bruno knows that while everyone loves to splurge once in a while, a girl also loves a good bargain. That's why she has declared a super-smart signature for her store: Half of her merchandise is affordably priced under $100, while the other half includes pricier designs from higher-end designers.
Eclectica
1006 W. Armitage - ChicagoIf you can take your eyes off the stunning Brazilian cherry floors at Eclectica, which opened in September 2007, you'll find a deliberate focus on three Chicago designers.
Barker & Meowsky
1003 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoThe full name of this packed-to-the-gills pet boutique -- Barker & Meowsky: A Paw Firm -- is enough to make us smile.
Rugby
1000 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoKnown for his “All-American” aesthetic, Ralph Lauren’s Rugby is an fresh, updated take on his classic look, aiming to satisfy preppy urbanites.
Paper Source
919 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoFrom wedding invitations to holiday cards, this split-level Armitage shop has all you need for paper projects, including handmade papers and hand silk-screened Japanese papers.
Kiehl's
907 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoYou'll find the full skin and body care line of cult favorite Kiehl's at the brand's only Chicago store, from lotions to face masks to shampoo.
1154 Lill Studio
904 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoAt this interactive design studio and shop, customers get to play designer by selecting their own handbag style, fabrics and finishing details.
Dog-a-holics
904 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoPamper your pooch at this sweet garden-level storefront, which offers "paw"dicures, massages and birthday parties for your favorite canine friend.
Lush
859 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoScore the well-loved bath bombs and body scrubs from this London-based purveyor at its Armitage location, which opened in 2004.
Colorlab Custom Cosmetics
857 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoInfinitely clear from the name, this cosmetics store specializes in creating formulas custom-blended for each individual shopper. Staffers will customize a lipstick to complement your skin tone, match a cocktail dress or even to mimick another brand favorite that's been discontinued.
Benefit
852 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoThis girly-glam boutique stocks the full line of Benefit, a cosmetics line known for its quirky product names.
The Paul Frank Store
851 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoConsider this upbeat, orange-tiled shop your clearinghouse for all things Julius -- that is, the wide-smiled monkey graphic that has become an icon for whimsical designer Paul Frank.
L'Occitane
846 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoThe sizable Armitage outpost of L'Occitane stocks the brand's full line of high-end beauty, bath and home products imported from Provence, France.
Stinky Pants
844 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoThe name of this kid's boutique may be tongue-in-cheek, but the pint-sized clothing and accessories here are decidedly hip.
Intermix
841 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoLabel mongers will relish in the selection of coveted designer lines carried at this bold boutique, from Stella McCartney to Chloe.
Isabella Fine Lingerie
840 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoBra fittings are a specialty here, and the staff has a monstrous arsenal of brands and styles to select from.
Weddings 826
826 W. Armitage, 2nd floor - ChicagoThis picturesque wedding boutique sells moderately priced off-the-rack wedding gowns (a variety of manufacturer overruns), jewelry and headpieces as well as the myriad other accessories, from guestbooks to thank you notes to "Just Married" flip flops.
Eliana Lily
826 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoAn "urban upscale" women's boutique, Eliana Lily is all about contemporary clothing, jewelry, shoes and handbags.
All She Wrote
825 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoThis monogram and stationery shop is packed to the ceiling with delightful gifts.
Lori's Shoes
824 W Armitage Ave. - ChicagoThis well-known Chicagoland shoe emporium also has six suburban locations.
McShane's Exchange
815 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoCan't afford to wear the designers you covet? Thumbing through the jam-packed racks at this designer consignment shop, you may just find a buried treasure.
Cynthia Rowley
808 W. Armitage Ave. - ChicagoWell-known fashion and home designer Cynthia Rowley is an Illinois native herself, and her Armitage Avenue boutique (which she visits occasionally) with tell-tale powder-blue awnings has been in business since the early '90s.
The Denim Lounge/Madison and Friends
1963 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThe outlet branch of this high-end denim shop for grown-ups and retailer of clothing for kids.
Francesca's Collections
2012 N. Halsted Ave. - ChicagoFrancesca's Collections is a retail chain with a boutique feel, full of bright baubles, slick handbags and on-trend knitwear at mall prices.
Helen Ficalora
2014 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThanks to a loyal base of web customers in the Midwest, jewelry designer Helen Ficalora has set up her fourth shop (the others are in Soho in NYC, Beverly Hills and Palm Beach) in Lincoln Park.
Bebe
2032 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis sassy women's mall retailer is known for its body-hugging styles. In addition to party-worthy tops and dresses, there's also a selection of shoes, handbags and jewelry.
Arden B
2038 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis sleek women's mall retailer is known for its vibrant, lady-like designs.
Metropark
2042 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis L.A.-based chain store packs its racks with edgy streetwear for men and women. Expect tons of screenprinted tee and hoodies with a funky, rock-and-roll feel.
Guise|Chic
2128 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoWhat once was Guise, a men's only boutique and barber shop, has expanded (and gone coed). Now you'll find Guise|Chic down the street, proffering salon services and urban gear for both men and women.
lululemon
2104 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoSpecializing in yoga-inspired athletic wear, this Lincoln Park shop is the first Illinois location of the Canadian company.
BCBG Max Azria
2140 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoYou'll find polished, on-trend separates and special occasion dresses as far as the eye can see at this Lincoln Park outpost of BCBG Max Azria.
Londo Mondo
2148 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis Lincoln Park shop stocks designer swim and active wear for women, including beach bags, sandals, cover-ups and yoga clothing.
Lucky Brand
2048 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis well-known made-in-the-USA denim brand for men and women also stocks a full line of casual wear.
Malia Mills
2050 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoEast-coast swimwear designer Malia Mills has revolutionized the high-end swimwear market with her concept of mix-and-match suits, and her first Chicago shop opened on Halsted in fall 2007. Tops are sized by bra size (30AA to 40DD), while bottoms are sold by pant size (2 to 16). Her designs have expanded to "travel and lifestyle wear," with a focus on chic, packable skirts, sarongs and tunics. This narrow storefront dedicates more than half of its square footage to the dressing rooms in an attempt to take the pain out of the dreaded swimwear shopping experience.
Bedside Manor
2056 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis bedding boutique specializes in fine Italian linens, from Legna to Anichini, as well as high-end mattresses.
Fox's
2150 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis designer discount boutique offers designer duds for 40 to 70 percent off retail. In addition to women's clothing and outerwear, you'll also find a small selection of handbags and accessories.
Calvin Tran
2154 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis Halsted boutique is one of three headquarters for designer Calvin Tran's threads (the other two are in New York City and San Francisco).
True Religion
2202 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis is the only Midwest store for premium denim brand True Religion, stocking the eponymous jeans as well as sneakeres, tops and bags for men, women and kids.
bluemercury
2208 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoExpansive and bright, bluemercury is a virtual mecca for high-end and hard-to-find skin care and cosmetics.
Barneys New York CO-OP
2209-11 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis outpost of the popular Barneys sells designer clothing, accessories, shoes and jeans for men and women.
Ani Afshar
2009 N. Sheffield Ave. - ChicagoThe fluidity of Ani Afshar’s jewelry stems in part from her years as a textile designer, when she found herself weaving beads into the fabrics she created.
Design Shoppe
2009 N. Fremont St. - ChicagoThough just barely off the beaten path of Armitage Avenue's shopping row, this quaint home shop offers gifts and home accessories with a polished feminine slant.
Kaveri
1211 W Webster Ave. - ChicagoThis loft-like Lincoln Park boutique specializes in classics with a twist.
Cotelac
1159 West Webster Ave. - ChicagoFrench label Cotelac has more than 40 stores around Europe, but chose our own Lincoln Park for its first U.S. location.
The Left Bank
1155 W. Webster Ave. - ChicagoStep past the white-and-pink striped awning into this Lincoln Park shop and it will become infinitely clear that owner Susan Jablonski is a hard-core Francophile. Her Parisian-inspired jewelry, home goods and bridal shop is dripping in chandeliers and other delicate finery.
Shopgirl
1206 W. Webster Ave. - ChicagoThis trendy shop draws a wide clientele with premium denim, trendy dresses and plenty of accessories.





