A Mini Guide to Shopping on the Northwest Side of Chicago

March 5, 2023

The best part of living in Chicago is being able to find so many unique shops and specialty stores within each beloved Chicago neighborhood.


If you’re looking for your next favorite small business to support in the Wicker Park, Bucktown, or Logan Square areas, we’ve got you covered. 


And if you’re also on the hunt to move into these popular Northwest Chicago neighborhoods, Reside Living offers apartment properties in both Wicker Park / Bucktown and Logan Square.


Take a look at our curated list of some of the most loved local shops on the Northwest Side of Chicago to make your next shopping experience a fun and memorable one.


Wicker Park and Bucktown


One Strange Bird

2124 W. Division St. Chicago, IL 60622

One Strange Bird is an event space, art studio, and gift shop that offers a carefully curated selection of apparel, accessories, and beautiful items made by local and national designers. Their art studio is the perfect place to express your creativity or learn from a variety of classes like terrarium building, painting, and printmaking. 


Next time you are near Division Street, stop in to check out the handmade jewelry, Chicago gifts, baby presents, natural bath and body products, funny stationery, and hand-poured candles. In the back studio, you might even find owner Emily Gloekler creating unique apparel, jewelry, and homewares.


Kokorokoko

1323 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60622

If you’re someone who’s always on the hunt for the hottest vintage finds, make sure to check out Wicker Park’s Kokoroko Vintage. 

Founded in 2009 by owners Ross Kelly and Sasha Hodges who have been collecting clothing, accessories, and housewares as a passion for years, Kokorokoko is one of the best places in Chicago for a thoughtfully curated selection of vintage clothing, accessories, and more from the 80s and 90s.


Moth

2008 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Inspired by her family’s connection to Nordic culture and a love for all things Japanese, owner Catherine Becker started Moth in 2015 to cater to people looking for design-focused, unique, and limited run items. 

Every piece in Moth’s collection of lifestyle products, home accessories, fashion, and jewelry is made with high respect for craftsmanship, simplicity, and nature. Stop in and browse their Japanese stationery, vases from Danish potters, and more beautifully designed pieces from independent artists across Finland, Scandinavia, and Japan.


T-Shirt Deli

1739 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Searching for a truly one-of-a-kind gift for someone? Consider making a visit to T-Shirt Deli where you can design custom shirts, tote bags, hats, dog tees, and so much more.


To make giving a gift just as fun as receiving it, the store interior features gleaming white deli cases and open-air wicker baskets displaying their freshest selection of tees. T-Shirt Deli custom tees offer just as many font choices and colors as cheeses in a New York deli and each finished design is wrapped in perfectly waxed butcher paper with brightly colored stickers.


Virtu

2035 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Celebrating over 20 years of a curated collection of women-led independent businesses, Virtu is known for its wide selection of quality jewelry pieces and Chicago and neighborhood-themed gifts. 


Truly family owned and operated, the shop’s warm and cozy atmosphere is perfect for browsing through gift items like tea towels, Paddywax candles, greeting cards, ceramic pieces, and other unique pieces. 


Una Mae’s

1528 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60622

Una Mae’s was founded in the heart of Chicago’s Wicker Park and quickly gained a reputation for selling affordable and quality women’s and men’s clothing. 


The store carries a wide selection of diverse and eclectic vintage clothing, and now houses an ever-growing range of unique contemporary brands, apothecary, household items, and lifestyle gifts. 


Logan Square


Bric-A-Brac Records and Collectibles 

2845 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60618

Bric-A-Brac Records and Collectibles’ brightly colored storefront and unique wall murals will make you feel as if you’ve gone back in time and stepped right into every 80s kid’s dream bedroom. 


Stop inside to browse new and used vinyl and cassettes, VHS tapes, vintage movie posters, 80s/90s toys, and all kinds of pop culture ephemera. The store even carries a highly curated selection of punk and garage rock records, including a healthy number of releases from local bands and archival LPs issued through the shop's own label.


Logan Mercantile 

3505 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 

Logan Mercantile is a home goods store that specializes in quality products that are meant to be shown off but are also built to last. 

The shop stocks items crafted by veteran artisans around the world and features curated collections such as cookware, glassware, gardening tools, linens & textiles, and more.


It’s a great stop for shoppers looking for more quality, sustainable products or those seeking interior design inspiration for everything from your bathroom to your backyard.


Fleur

651 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Fleur is more than just a floral shop – their Chicago retail brick-and-mortar is filled to the brim with home goods, linens, fine jewelry, fragrances and many other gorgeous pieces. Of course, you can always stop in for a fresh bouquet of blooms for your home or to gift. 

When planning your next celebration, whether it be a wedding or baby shower, their design team will work hand in hand with you to ensure that every detail is luxurious, thoughtful, and exquisite to create the most special Fleur experience.


Steel Petal Press 

2321 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Artist Shayna Norwood started Steel Petal Press in the heart of Chicago’s Logan Square after more than a decade of letterpress printing. 


Her printing and letterpress operation is also home to an array of great gift ideas, from quirky soap bars like the Elderflower Mimosa to the perfect greeting cards for every occasion. Pick up a planner to help your productivity or bring out your inner child with a themed coloring book. 


The shop brings in new inventory weekly, so it’s always worth a visit to find something fun.


Happy Shopping!


Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift, satisfying a sweet tooth, or searching for accessories to make your apartment feel more like home, these Chicago neighborhood spots boast an abundance of unique local businesses to shop at and support.

The next time you’re on a shopping trip in these beloved areas of the city, we hope you can keep this list of local shops to check out in mind. 


And if you’re on the hunt for a new Chicago apartment, take a look at our Reside Apartments located in the neighborhoods mentioned in this guide.


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