Shop Small, Now More Than Ever

Hi friends. Time for real talk. Your friendly neighborhood brick-and-mortar shops are struggling. Many are closing. Many of us are wondering if our clocks are ticking. And it’s not limited to our products, locations, price points, or Instagram follower count; everyone is feeling it. I know you are too. But we all still need to buy stuff—whether it’s clothes for another school year, housewares for a new apartment, flowers to brighten our spirits, or gifts to celebrate loved ones, life continually serves us moments that require consumption. I’m begging you to buy those things at your local brick-and-mortar shops instead of big-box stores or Amazon. You could very well be the only sale that a local shop has all day. Your purchase can be the one that stands between paying rent or not; between waiting for the economy to improve or closing for good.

When I moved to Wicker Park in 2003, 90% of the storefronts on Division Street and Milwaukee Ave were independent boutiques and independent eateries. Now there are barely any local shops and both streets have been taken over by chains. Many of the independent stores that give flavor to your neighborhood and make living there a unique experience are disappearing and will likely never return thanks to increasing rents by price-gouging developers and VCs gobbling up all of our previously mom-and-pop-landlord-owned commercial properties. Seek and Shudio are both closing at the end of August. Go show them some love before they’re gone for good. 

These days, I really don’t see much of a difference between the shopping experience in Wicker Park and Schaumberg. The only difference is the architecture; mall stores have taken over our street-level boutique storefronts. Who wants that? Why live in the city? I know it’s hard to find new places to shop once you have your routines down, so here’s a list of some big-box alternatives to help you shop small, now and always. Thank you for caring.

1. Instead of Anthropologie, shop at Dovetail. We have a fantastic collection of charming vintage home décor, jewelry and clothing. It’s a one-stop shopping experience with the added benefit of having no products made from sweatshop labor. And because everything is vintage, ten thousand other people won’t have the same thing, making your items as unique as you are!

2. Instead of Crate and Barrel, shop at Dial M for Modern. This vintage furniture store has an eclectic collection of designer vintage furniture, much of which serves as the original inspiration for so many Crate and Barrel pieces. Why pay thousands of dollars for Crate and Barrell’s cheap reproductions poorly constructed in China with zero resale value when you can buy the real thing for a similar price and watch your investment increase in value, which is something that will never happen with your CB furniture.

3. Instead of Aritzia, shop at Milk. If you like smart basics in trending tones, then Milk is your place to fill those closet staples. But unlike all the sweatshop-made pieces at Aritzia, everything at Milk is handmade by independent designers.

4, 5. Instead of Blick, shop at Martha Mae and Paper and Pencil for your stationary, notebooks, art pens, washi tape, charcoals, and watercolors. Both charming shops are independently owned and sell a well-curated collection of high-quality art supplies.

6. Instead of Ikea, shop at Velvet Goldmine. This shop sells original, refinished mid-century modern furniture at Ikea prices. Skip the hassle of driving to the suburbs and the frustration of assembling furniture with cartoon instructions and get a piece of accessibly priced vintage furniture that isn’t made of particleboard at Velvet Goldmine.

7. Instead of Buffalo Exchange, shop at Lost Girls. This curated resale shop offers a mix of vintage and new items with an eye for style and trending fashion. They also offer inclusive vintage sizing with @ collection of plus-sized vintage.

8. Instead of Zara, shop at Gemini. This cute shop offers stylish, contemporary clothing, accessories,  and home goods designed by emerging labels (many of which are US-based) at accessible price points. 

9. Instead of Alexis Bittar, shop at Gallery 2052. This shop carries an impressive collection of handmade statement jewelry by domestic and international jewelers. Many pieces are one-of-a-kind and walk the line between sculpture and jewelry.

10. Instead of Home Depot, shop at Sprout Home for your plants. The moment you walk into Sprout, you’re hit with the most incredible mossy fragrance that if you closed your eyes, you could convince your mind you were in the rainforest. Aside from looking and smelling beautiful (which Home Depot does not), Sprout has an enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff (again, lacking at Home Depot) ready to help you find yourself the perfect plant for your home or garden.

11. Instead of Trader Joe’s, get your bouquet at Exfolia. This adorable floral and home shop sells more than your grocery store spray roses and tulips; make a sculptural bouquet with interesting flowers like moab roses, protea, and amaryllis. No boring flowers here!

12. Instead of Urban Oufitters, shop at Squasht. This boutique is full of clothing and accessories in colorful prints, many of which are handmade by emerging designers. Get the electic selection offered at Urban with none of the gross sweatshop labor!

13. Instead of Jonathan Adler, shop at Redefined. This vintage store has a style all its own, an unbelievably cohesive collection of Hollywood Regency (things high-polished brass and lucite) and luxe organic pieces like vintage zebra hides. If you’re looking for cheeky and high-end housewares and furniture, Redefined Décor is for you.

14. Instead of Free People, shop at The Fox Club. This vintage store has a sweet collection of clothing and accessories spanning the decades, with a great selection of causal cool pieces to channel your inner rocker or witchy bohemian.