Best Shopping in Chicago (2025)

Family-run since 1875, this European-style apothecary stocks heritage remedies, fragrances, and bath goods in a wood-paneled Lincoln Square landmark. Celebrated by CNN’s Chicago guide and featured in recent local reporting marking its 150th year.

Ikram Goldman’s crimson temple of avant-garde fashion is a museum-level boutique where cutting-edge designers mingle with artful jewelry and books. Lauded by Vogue and highlighted in national travel coverage for defining Gold Coast style.

Chicago’s master hatter crafts lifetime-quality felts and Panamas in the historic Monadnock Building. Praised by fashion writers and used in film productions; a Financial Times favorite for menswear accessories and a GQ-approved craft icon.

A West Loop anchor for contemporary menswear, rare sneakers, and thoughtful talks that blend style and culture. Consistently recommended by Time Out Chicago and menswear editors for its curation and community programming.

An independent, Korean American–owned boutique marrying luxury and streetwear in a WGNB-designed space. Covered by Block Club Chicago and Time Out Chicago for its design-forward remodel and hard-to-find brands like Rick Owens and Issey Miyake.

A destination for players and collectors, famed for rare guitars, expert staff, and a basement bass room. A fixture in music press and beloved by touring artists; current hours and inventory confirm it’s very much humming.

Bright, meticulously organized bins of jazz, soul, Latin, Brazilian, and global grooves make this indie a crate-digging pilgrimage. Frequently cited by Time Out Chicago and music outlets; open daily with constant new arrivals.

One of the nation’s leading feminist bookstores since 1979, this Andersonville mainstay hosts robust author events and community programs. Recognized by national media and actively programming readings and storytimes throughout 2025.

Wicker Park’s legendary zine and small-press hub brims with underground comics, chapbooks, and ephemera. Championed by the Chicago Tribune and trusted by indie creators; its ongoing 2025 events show the scene is thriving.

Chicago’s largest antique store spans two levels with 75 dealers offering midcentury furniture, fashion, and vinyl. Endorsed by Time Out Chicago and open weekly, it’s a reliable fix for vintage design hunters.

Eric Williams’s Hyde Park shop fuses jewelry, apparel, art, and community programming with South Side soul. Spotlighted by Chicago Magazine in 2025 for its experimental Design Lab while the 53rd Street store remains the cultural anchor.

Designed and printed in-house, these Chicago-forward goods—games, tees, prints—celebrate neighborhood culture with wit. Profiled by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2025 for its growth and local creative engine, with active shops in Wicker Park and Andersonville.