Category: Shopping

Most foodies I know, myself included, do more than just hop from one restaurant and eatery to another: they do an awful lot of cooking at home, especially when trying to mimic or even rehash a dish they recently enjoyed! When it comes to all things that is kitchen supply, there really is only one place to go. No, not the place you get tacky wicker furniture, bed sheets and candles; leave that for the amateurs! Go to the place where the chefs and restaurant owners go - Northwestern Cutlery! It’s a little out of the way, but trust me, it is so worth the drive. And hey - their prices are so reasonable they won‘t have you running to the food pantry afterwards!

Before you go, be sure to grab all of your knives to bring down there with you, no matter what you think their value is. If you have never had them professionally sharpened before, then they definitely need to be, because any pro will tell you a good, sharp knife makes all the difference in the world. And why not - it only costs a couple dollars to do so! When you arrive, hand them to the guy behind the register and have him give his opinion of what you own. While it’s true he will probably try to talk you into upgrading, he will for sure tell you if what you have is even worth saving, with an explanation behind his opinion.

While you are getting all sharpened up, check out the store and be prepared to go into culinary overload! There is just so many wonderful items, many of which are nearly impossible to find in a store. (Hello? A fish spatula? Surely you won’t find this specialty item at Tar Gét!) The person shopping next to you is probably a chef or at least a fellow foodie, so if he or she seems to be in an amicable mood, go ahead and ask their opinion of what it is you’re looking for. The wealth of knowledge one can find here is truly beyond belief: you‘ll walk out feeling like a pro!

Now parking around here can seem a little daunting, but it is really necessary to drive in, so circling for a spot is mandatory. The best time to go is on Thursday mornings in the middle of the month, where the parking is a little more feasible and the store owners have more time to talk to you in depth. The effort more than pays for itself.

Okay, okay! I know! It’s high time I made special mention of my most favorite record store in the entire world: a store that isn’t afraid to say it like it is, throw up the horns and shout “Slay-ARRRGHHH!“ for no particular reason and revel in all that is Blasphemous! (Yes, with a capital B!!) If you want Metal in all its guises, then this is the number one place to shop! And hey: what other store is out there where you can walk in and score a CD that has such a truly gruesome album cover your Aunt Maggie will shrivel up and die from a mere glance?

People come here from literally every corner of the Earth to tap this blackened treasure trove, and in fact some couples have even gotten married here! Whether you’re looking for some classic Thrash, Death Metal, Black Metal or just about anything else, there is a very distinct possibility you will find that rare obscurity here. Just don’t go asking around for a Slipknot CD unless you really want to be pummeled in the back alley, as Nu is expressly denied! (I’m just joking, but really - they really hate that stuff!)

CDs are categorized accordingly, making your trip a true experience to write home about! My favorite section is the “Brutal Sh*t” department, because I’m that rubber necking type that can’t help but slow down the Interstate for a good, gory crash scene! And now that they’ve relocated from Hipster Central, the store is so much bigger, cleaner and easier to navigate around. And yes, all Hail the Dark Lord, because street parking is no longer an issue!

Besides CDs, folks can find tons of killer shirts, along with themed books and accessories. Local bands are more than welcome to hit up Mark about setting up a consignment deal and leaving their flyers with him, as he really cares about taking care of the scene. Be prepared to spend a couple hours here, because once you get him talking about his life’s calling, it can be pretty hard to steer towards the door. In fact, I’m surprised they don’t just have a door guy collecting a cover charge, because no one leaves here without at least dropping a twenty!

Yes, they oblige to all the health codes and are very sanitary, but that is probably the only glue that binds this place to every other shop in town. Many of their artists have been around for years, and the moniker of “We Tattooed Your Dad Here” is very accurate, since they are also the oldest shop in town. It’s little wonder this place always seems to have a healthy batch of customers in and out of the chairs!

Of all the places I have ever ventured into for a tat, the Tattoo Factory is the only place in the city I would ever recommend outside of a convention. This is a straight forward place to go, without any of the nonsense or hype that has stained the other shops in town. If you are looking to have a genuine piece of unique skin art crafted by truly gifted artists, this is definitely the place to go. People looking for generic flash, tramp stamps and goofy cartoon characters they will later regret need not apply.

That sweet, sweet scent of green soap and the humming of a thousand bees tantalizes the senses as you first walk in the door, with beautiful artwork gracing every crack and crevice. Yes, there is plenty of flash up there, but I personally think it’s there to give you an idea more than just as something to merely pick off the wall. In spite of the word “Factory” in their name, this shop operates as anything but. These guys (and ladies!) all have their different specialties, so be sure to speak up about what preferences you have.

If you have no idea what you want, feel free to browse through the books, then discuss with an available artist of what you like about it, so they can see how they can personalize it for you. Simply pointing and saying “I want that” is likely to get you pointed to the door, or at the very least a heavy sigh or an eye roll - would you do that to Van Gogh or Dali? The folks working here deserve no less.

Those looking to get a piercing done will also find this be the best place to go! Folks working here have been doing piercings on all parts of the anatomy for many, many years - one guy in particular, Hank, for nearly twenty! Jewelry is available in various gauge sizes and designs, depending on taste and placement.

So yes, come on down to Uptown and get your body transformed into a living work of art!

These days, New Age and Occult book stores seem to be popping up all over the place, even in small, rural towns in the Deep South. In a city like ours, folks have quite a few choices when it comes to locating places to pick up themed books, ceremonial candles, oils and incense, but there are only a couple stores that truly cater to the magical community at hand. One store in particular is Alchemy Arts, and while they may have changed names and locations over the years, those in the know are fully aware of just where to go!

Of course, this sort of thing can be bought online just about anywhere, but nothing beats actually walking into a store and getting direct, first hand information. Besides, books bought from generic, sterile companies just don’t have that wonderful scent of incense enveloped within the pages, almost as if each book has already been enchanted, making the information that much more powerful!

What’s really great about this store is the people who own it: extremely knowledgeable and helpful folks truly dedicated to serving those who follow any of the hundreds of Pagan and Occult belief systems. They make their own oils right there in the store for any need or occasion, along with an excellent selection of new and used books, on top of pretty much everything else one would expect to find in such a store. The best part is of course how courteous and helpful the shop keeps are, no matter what their customer’s level of expertise happens to be. Unlike most New Age fluffy stores, they do not discriminate those who choose to work with the Left Handed paths and in fact have a wealth of products and information available.

On top of stuff to buy is their rotating list of special events, work shops, book signings and after hours get togethers. Once a month, like minded individuals drop by with food and libations to mingle with others and build up community, as well as learn from each other and network. Classes on a multitude of topics are held as well, and Pagan and Occult authors and musicians set up tables to sign their books and CDs while discussing in depth about their material.

No online store can surely offer all this, so those looking for more than the ordinary should definitely patronize this shop!

Looking for an original vinyl of the Scorpions “In Trance” album? How about that killer CD by The Pixies? Well grab up that list and head down to Reckless Records! It’s a store that remembers what it’s like to actually collect music on mediums other than iPods owned by independent owners. It’s also where all the cool kids still go, even if some of those kids happen to be pushing the envelope on their AARP memberships!

This trio of record stores located in some of the hippest neighborhoods around town have a major cult following by a vast amount of folks who still like to buy their music in person. On top of the latest releases by underground and cult favorites, Reckless Records carries a fantastic collection of used CDs, and they even have cassettes and vinyl as well! How cool is that? While the prevalent genres stocked are rock and alternative, quite a few other styles are also available, making this the perfect spot to scope out those hard to find tracks. A small selection of vintage posters, t shirts and video games are also available for die hard collectors.

Of course, since they carry a good deal of used stuff, they obviously need to get it from somewhere. Folks in the know frequently unload their used items here in confidence, knowing they are going to fetch a good price for them. These guys are very good about keeping track of where everything comes from, so shoppers can also feel good about knowing nothing here is “hot”, making all three of these indie shops great places to support.

The fun, helpful and extremely knowledgeable staff really earn their chops, and they genuinely love what they do, many in underground bands themselves, so chat it up with a local celebrity or two! No music trivia question goes unanswered, so those looking for the extremely hard to find can begin their quests here.

As Chicago’s first woman owned and female oriented sex shop, Early to Bed is a store where women can feel comfortable shopping for fun playthings in a clean, upbeat and supportive atmosphere. No worries about creepy, trench coat donning guys lurking in the corners here! It’s nice to be able to see all kinds of great priced items to check out in person, instead of shopping online. And, the wonderful, courteous staff is more than happy to offer just the right amount of help, without pressure, prejudice or embarrassment. How completely liberating!

Yes, Chicago is blessed with a decent handful of other such stores in the city, but Early to Bed falls in as a happy medium among them all. It is somewhere between the primarily gag and bachelorette party supply store, Batteries Not Included, and the overly pink, foux foux and heavily priced G Boutique, which also tends to cater to smallish sizes.

While this establishment caters to women, be they straight or gay, genders of shapes and sizes are just as welcome, as no double standards are allowed here. The outright vulgar packaging and seedy environment customary to most such stores are kept at bay, making the shopping experience that much more enjoyable. And my oh my how much fun it is to turn on the testers on display! buzz! Bzzzzzz! BZZZZZZ! Folks are guaranteed every item they sell does just what they promise!

What makes this store even better is the vast amount of vegan and latex free supplies on hand, since many of their regular customers go there specifically to find these products, again without having to resort to pulling that otherwise customary happy dance around the mail box. Special items can also be ordered, and their accepting and non pressuring staff is chock full of information, so customers can know up front if the product is a good buy for them. Those who know what they want can and would prefer discretion can of course order through them online.

So yes! Making the trip down to Early to Bed is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetimes. It’s a safe bet almost all first timers become regulars, because this is a true gift bestowed upon the city, making sure everyone’s sex lives sizzle!

Not that many comic book stores in Chicago offer as much as this place does or have outlasted as many. Chicago Comics is a store where Comic Book Guy would feel right at home, perched above his nerdy pedestal, overseeing the lowly kids and 50 something geeks from far down below, just the way it should be. And who really cares if the guys behind the counter are a bunch of burrito munching, elitist snobs? They know their stuff inside and out, planning their schedules around Star Trek / Star Wars conventions, Comicons and reading up on the status of the latest underground rags - all so us miniscule peon shoppers and collectors can blow our pay checks to get our hands on all that is Avant Garde!

Walking in, patrons are transported into another world, though not exactly Krypton. That first whiff of old newsprint tantalizes the senses, beckoning to enter even further into its mighty depths. Besides the Marvel and DC standards, Chicago Comics carries an ungodly array of independent rags, back issues and rare gems many other stores simply do not have.

Manga, graphic novels and plenty of erotica are also in stock for more seasoned veterans and neophytes alike. And oh my yes - the statuary! and the toys, toys, toys! Where else can one lay their hands on an autographed Lady Death lunch box or an original Luke Skywalker action figure - in mint condition with original packaging?

Esteemed and independent artists make periodic signing engagements, so fans should sign up for their news letter to get the inside scoop. Indie artists can even contact the store for setting up consignment deals, which many stores simply will not handle. How cool would that be to bring your friends along and show them your mini comic gracing the shelves right alongside Stan Lee’s latest release? It’s enough to even make Brodie a tad jealous (though he’d never admit it).

So make the trek out to Chicago Comics, spend an hour or two with your closest friends, blow your hard earned money and swap out reading on the train ride home. Just be sure to scoop up some extra mylar bags, because you never know if what you just bought is going to become extra valuable!

Bookstores are a dime a dozen these days, it seems. But bookstores like Transitions Bookplace in Chicago are few and far between. Located at 1000 W North Ave, this store has gone beyond the traditional theme of bookstores that carry selections in categories such as fiction, biography, home & garden, and so on. Transitions inventory is separated into more esoteric collections like growth and transformation, angels, astrology, Buddhism, inspiration, etc.

The idea that became this gorgeous, 6000 square foot store came to owner Gayle Seminara-Mandel and her husband in 1989. Disillusioned by their day jobs, the couple decided on a whim to open their own bookstore. Originally located in a 400 square foot converted garage, they experience an overwhelming response from the community, which lead to the opening of the store at its current location.

Upon walking in, you know you’re not in any regular bookstore. The ambience is peaceful, but intellectual, and is heightened by new age music playing lightly throughout. To the left is a café, serving delectable sandwiches and coffee creations. This is a great place to sit down and browse through books.

And while books are the emphasis here, that is by no means where it stops. Transitions also stocks music CD’s, cassettes, and videos, and boasts a collection of DVD on subjects like conscious living, wellness, self-help & self-empowerment, and mythology & comparative religion. There’s a gift section as well, which carries a variety of gift options that range from tarot decks to aromatherapy oils.

Transitions also holds author events and workshops every month. Author events are usually free and workshops are offered at a discounted rate to members of the book club, which currently has more than 3500 members.

So next time you’re in the mood to pick up a book that you won’t want to put down, skip Borders or Barnes and Noble. Come to Transitions, but plan to make it an all-day thing. Once you get here, you won’t want to leave!

Lots of people forget to stop and smell the roses. At Asrai Garden in Wicker Park, you won’t be able to help yourself.

This one-of-a-kind North Ave soap shop and gift boutique gives off the most amazing smell, and when the doors are open, it draws you in from the street as you walk by. Walking in, you feel like you entered an exotic garden. Bouquets of fresh cut flowers line the front and back walls. Their colors create a rainbow that fills the store with a romantic feeling.

Here you can find soaps and other bath creations made by local vendors, as well as plenty of other gift ideas, like soap holders and other bathroom items, and even candles that have the most amazing scents.

One thing that makes Asrai Garden stand out are its product displays, which are stylishly done and make it easy to pick up a product and examine it. And while the store is relatively small, they make great use of the available space, without having a cramped feeling. Artistic creations are spread out on tables and add to the classic, delicate feel of the store.

Perfect as a gift shop for a friend who has everything, this store boasts a collection that you can’t find in a shop like Bath and Body Works. Pick up a bar of soap; they’re silky to the touch and smell unbelievable!

If you’re a guy looking for an anniversary gift or even just an unexpected surprise for your sweetie, you can bet that any woman would be happy to receive a package with a luxurious bar of bath soap, an aromatherapy candle, and a bouquet of gorgeously arranged flowers. Visit Asrai Garden on North Avenue and you won’t be disappointed.