At these gift emporiums, you'll find shelves packed with trinkets big and small just screaming to be wrapped up with a bow -- from snarky greeting cards and funky jewelry to luxurious candles and elegant stationery.
Top gift shops
Need a present? These sweet stores have got you covered
May 4, 2009
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Embellish
4161 N. Lincoln Ave. - Chicago773-525-4400
We can't decide which we admire more at this North Center accessory boutique: the impressive selection of wares by indie designers, or the way owner Barb Skupien so creatively showcases them using tree branches, salvaged furniture and even bird baths.
Zia 925
925 S. Loomis St. - Chicago312-829-6575
Looking for a gift? You're bound to find a thoughtful pick at this small University Village shop, where you'll find merchandise perched on second-hand furniture throughout the small space.
Paper Doll
2048 W. Division St. - Chicago773-227-6950
This endlessly charming shop ran by sisters Stacy and Kelly Swett offers more options for greeting cards than you could ever send in a lifetime. The shelves here are decked with great gift ideas such as picture frames, funky screenprinted tees, candles, stuffed animals and books on the home, babies and birthdays -- plus all the paper, ribbons and bags you'll need to wrap them. The Swetts also offer custom invitations and funky cards from local designers such as La Familia Green. Keep an eye out for Maud, the resident pug.
The Silver Room
1442 N. Milwaukee Ave. - Chicago773-278-7130
This airy and expansive Wicker Park jewelry shop keeps the gender ratio equal with just as much gear for guys as girls. Bubbly orange lights hang from the ceiling, illuminating glass cases packed with slick watches from Vestal and Skagen, stainless steel men's jewelry and semi-precious stones from Bali, Tibet and Mexico. You'll also find belts, sunglasses, hats and T-shirts. Try and peel your eyes away from the jam-packed jewelry cases to check out the monthly rotation of artwork decking the walls and the retro photo booth near the entrance.
Climate
1702 N. Damen Ave. - Chicago773-862-7075
An eclectic gift shop specializing in unusual gifts for the home, including candles, tote bags, watches, bath products, and assorted bric-a-brac, most in the $20-40 range.
Greer
1657 N. Wells St. - Chicago312-337-8000
"Civility is not a sign of weakness," is the motto of Chandra Greer, the poised and pleasant shop owner of this Wells Street paper and gift shop. Though you'll find a seemingly endless supply of elegant stationery here by high-end names like Vera Wang, fun trinkets like a sushi-shaped stapler and calculator that could be mistaken for a chocolate bar go miles to temper the seriousness.
Virtu
2034 N. Damen Ave. - Chicago773-235-3790
The tagline on Virtu's violet awning reads "a curious collection of find craft," a fitting preview of the artisan-focused stock at this charming gift shop. Hand-carved spoons, magnetic spice caddies and ceramic tea sets provide artful house-warming gift ideas, while there's also a unique selection of jewelry, handbags, candles and bath goodies.
Art Effect
934 W. Armitage Ave. - Chicago773-929-3600
Art Effect defines itself as a "modern day general store." Step inside and you'll be greeted by a barrage wall-to-wall gifts, bath and body treats, travel gear and home accents. Round the corner to check out a plentiful stock of women's clothing and accessories, from Pan Am bowling bags to Orla Kiely's offbeat dresses. A jam-packed back room stocks hundreds of potential housewarming gifts with a funky, urban edge, from polka-dotted toasters to bright and graphic French Bull dishware.
Stitch
1723 N. Damen Ave. - Chicago773-782-1570
This luxury goods haven is absolute heaven for label hounds and designer junkies. Upscale home accouterments here include Missoni throw blankets, furniture and pillows from Jonathan Adler and accessories by Dwell and Nava. High-end handbags from Kooba and Hobo and graphic laptop totes by Acme share space with leather gloves, watches and clutches.
Jumbalia
1429 N. Wells St. - Chicago312-335-9082
If the name doesn't clue you in, we will -- you'll find a whole mess of stuff in this wacky Wells Street shop. If you're in need of a sequined cowboy hat, a Marilyn Monroe totebag or a lamp fashioned out of a Grey Goose vodka bottle, look no further; the phrase "There are no rules" emblazoned on the wall here provides all the rationale necessary for the eclectic mish-mash of merchandise.
Komoda
2559 W. Chicago Ave. - Chicago773-276-8229
A mish-mash of varied goods fill this corner shop, where fanciful wooden toys reside beside Kiku pendant jewelry, birdhouses made from recycled material and handmade French pocketknives by Laguiole. Komoda houses all the little extras you could want, including bath and body products, T-shirts and stationery. birdhouses made from recycled material and handmade French pocketknives by Laguiole.
Enjoy: An Urban General Store
4727 N. Lincoln Ave. - Chicago773-334-8626
Enjoy has updated the general store from prairie bonnets and jars of molasses to kids’ rain boots and whoopee cushions. Novelty items like tattoo bandages, extra-large beer glasses and humorous magnets for the fridge comprise the store’s “fun area,” while “country store bins” pack small go-to items like gag gifts and pocket-sized toys. Greeting cards by Curly Girl Design, customized photo necklaces by Le Photique and plenty of baby apparel add to Enjoy’s friendly eclecticism.
RR#1 Chicago
814 N. Ashland Ave. - Chicago312-421-9079
This heart-warming shop inhabits what was once an old-fashioned pharmacy, still replete with natural woodwork, porcelain knobs and sliding glass cabinetry. Items are arranged according to gift ideas—a display of tea-related objects, for example, encompasses everything from cups and coasters to jars of honey, while cocktail supplies and baby gifts are nearby. Local artisans are well-represented, with hand-pulled candles by Tatine, jewelry made of vintage and glass material by Leaves of Glass and stone and crystal bracelets and necklaces by Deana Rose all occupying shelf-space.
Fixture
2108 W. Roscoe St. - Chicago773-244-3100
Quaint painted furniture and local artist exhibits give this gift shop a personalized feel. Clusters of gift-giving categories, such as home, baby and bath items, make browsing simple, and a bevy of tabletop books, from children’s picture books to cookbooks to guides to relaxation and organic living, promise to complement the gifts on display.
Hazel
1902 W. Montrose Ave. - Chicago773-769-2227
This thoughtful, hip gift shop has a constantly rotating stock of quirky, fun gift items, handbags; accessories like scarves and hats for men and women; journals; greeting cards; and candles. There's also a well-edited range of jewelry, including Chicago brands such as Alexis Drake and Deana Rose, as well as fresh-cut flowers and housewares by Alessi and Modern-Twist.
Willow
850 N. Damen Ave. - Chicago773-772-0140
Hip meets traditional at this eclectic Ukrainian Village boutique.
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Browse our picks:
• Pilsen + University Village
• Division
• Southport
• Wicker Park + Bucktown
• Lincoln Park
• Wells Street
• West Loop
• Roscoe Village
• Andersonville
• South Loop
