Chicago Shopping Tips by Dabs Top 5 Page for this destination

New Maxwell Street market: Sunday street market Maxwell Street Market Review

Last visit August, 2012

The new Maxwell Street market is a misnomer as it's not on Maxwell Street at all. The original market area, which was on Maxwell Street, was taken over by the expansion of the University of Illinois-Chicago campus so the market was moved over to Canal Street and then another move to Des Plaines Street, between Harrison and Roosevelt Road.

I never visited the original market in it's prime, by the time I saw it, it was dirty and nasty with folks selling mostly stolen goods such as radios and hub caps, household products and junk. The market is still selling most of that same stuff but it's not dirty or scary anymore.

Open from 7 am - 3 pm

Free street parking is a thing of the past in this area, south of Roosevelt you can park for $1 an hour up to 3 hours, north of Roosevelt it's $3 an hour. There are lots of store lots in the area but they are probably agressive about towing, especially on Sunday.

What to buy: The reason we come here is the awesome Mexican food, served hot and fresh, most of it priced in the $2-4 range. Most of the vendors have restaurants in Pilsen or other areas in Chicago, they do booming business at the weekend market. Huarches, an oblong fried masa base with either carne asada or chorizo, are my new favorite but everything we try is good. Manolo's is always a good bet, Arroyo's was delicious. We didn't try Rubi's but based on the really long line of people standing in the rain, they are a market favorite. We always stop by The Churro Factory blue wagon on our way out for freshly made and filled churros, $1.25 each.

Caveat Emptor-If you are looking for cheap Chicago tshirts priced at $2-3 or hats priced at $5-7, this is the place although they may be of dubious quality and origin. You can also find some jewelry, CDs, videos, etc. but once again, check that packaging carefully.

If you're looking for a flea market like Portobello Road in London or Marche Aux Puces in Paris, this is not the place. There are some tables set up with used goods, some may even be antiques, but the goods are mostly new-lots of socks, tshirts, hats, fruit, household items like shampoo and toothpaste.

Address: Des Plaines Street

Directions: between Harrison and Roosevelt, just a couple of blocks from the last location at Canal Street and right next to I94 (Dan Ryan expressway)

Theme: Other

Randolph Street Market: Monthly market Flea Markets & Antiques Review

The hype on their website is a little overstated, the Randolph Street Market is nowhere near as large as Portobello Road in London or the Marche aux Puces in Paris but I think this is as close to those as there is inside the Chicago city limits. Plus it's only held one weekend a month AND it has an admission fee.

Theme: Antiques

Website: http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com/

Lush: Natural bath products and cosmetics Cosmetics & bath products Review

I originally heard about Lush products on a travel website, they were available only in London at the time and people raved about their fresh handmade bath products, made with natural ingredients.

Lush came to the US sometime ago, the original store on Armitage opened in 2004 and since then they've opened retail outlets in Macy's in Water Tower, on State Street in Chicago and in the suburbs of Oak Brook at Oak Brook Mall, Skokie at Old Orchard Mall and Schaumburg at Woodfield Mall.

What to buy: Lush carries soap, shower gel, lotions, hair products, skin care products and bath bombs. I love their Snow Fairy bath gel that comes out near Christmas and Pied de Pepper for my winter ravaged toes. Dream Cream is also nice as a hand lotion, a little too expensive for me to use as body lotion.

Address: 859 W. Armitage

Directions: A couple of blocks east from the Armitage el stop, also in Macy's in Water Tower on Michigan Avenue, Macy's on State Street, Macy's at Oak Brook Mall in Oak Brook, Old Orchard Mall in Skokie and Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg

Theme: Bath and Beauty

Website: http://www.lush.com/

The former Marshall Field's: Chicago's Department Store no more Marshall Field's Review

Updated October 2006

The arrogant brain trust at Federated turned all of the Marshall Field's into Macy's in Fall 2006, I haven't stepped foot into one since the change over and many proud Chicagoans are claiming that they will no longer shop there now that the name has changed, what effect it will really have remains to be seen.

Even though the Field family hasn't owned the department store chain for many years, the connection to Marshall Field's name was a strong one, people who have lived here all of their lives have fond memories of heading to the State Street store with their families around the holidays to look at the holiday windows and to have lunch near the towering tree in the Walnut Room. And unlike many of the other retailers in Chicago that were headquartered outside of Chicago, it was OUR department store started by a real man named Marshall Field who gave a lot to the city of Chicago (the Field Museum is named after him).

But don't avoid the store altogether, stop in and go to the 5th floor (SW corner of the building) where there is a beautiful Tiffany mosaic ceiling. You can view it from the 5th floor closeup and also from the main level looking up, look for the Clinique counter in the cosmetics department (unless Macy's redesigns the store).

What to buy: Macy's still sells Frango Mints with the Marshall Field's logo and I might still buy them as long as they have Field's name on them, the original mint flavor is in a dark green box or you can get assortments or seasonal Frangos, such as caramel apple or decadent desserts. Federated has claimed that Frango production will continue after the name change. But a box of Frango's with the Macy's logo? Bah humbug!

And I might stop in if they kept the gourmet food court on the 7th floor including Frontera Fresco, a very good express version of Frontera Grill, as well as another gourmet food court on the lower level.

But that's it for me, I will not be shopping at Macy's.

Address: 111 N. State Street

Directions: State Street between Washington and Randolph

Theme: Department Store

Eating & Drinking: Grocery stores Eating & Drinking Review

One of my favorite things to do when I arrive in a foreign city is check out their grocery stores, whether it be to stock up on cheap water and soda, grab an inexpensive lunch or check out the candy aisle. Here are a few of the options for grocery shopping in Chicago, I've listed the locations closest to downtown:

Jewel-550 N. State, 1210 N. Clark, many other locations-this is the major grocery store chain in Chicagoland, go here for the widest selection at the cheapest price. Apply for a Preferred Card to save a bundle (or say you forgot yours and usually they will give you discount)

Dominick's-see website for locations-used to be the 2nd largest chain in Chicago, most of them closed but a few still exist, same as Jewel, they have a Fresh Value card similar to the Preferred Card at Jewel

Whole Foods-30 W. Huron plus other locations-focuses on natural and organic foods, higher prices than Jewel or Dominick's

Fox and Obel-401 E. Illinois (Near Navy Pier)gourmet food with lots of prepared foods, fun to look around but very expensive and very small selection

Trader Joe's-44 E. Ontario plus several other stores, an eclectic mix of unique items, many under their own private label, lots of imported foods

Treasure Island, in the neighborhoods, billed as a European supermarket

Theme: Food and Drink

Binny's: Wine and spirits Eating & Drinking Review

Binny's Beverage Depot is a good place to check out for the widest selection of beer, wine and liquor. Binny's competitor, Sam's Wine & Liquor, was bought out by Binny's several years ago. There are currently 25 locations in the city and suburbs, the closest to downtown are on Grand or in the South Loop on Roosevelt. There are also locations in Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Hyde Park.

There are events such as wine or champagne tastings at different locations, you can check the events page on the website listed below.

Directions: The closest to the loop and the tourist area is Binny's in River North at 213 W. Grand between Wells and Franklin.

South Loop 1132 S. Jefferson Street

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.binnys.com/index.cfm

Various: Gifts for chocoholics Eating & Drinking Review

Although not manufactured in Chicago anymore, there are two chocolates that are associated with Chicago:

Frango Mints are sold at Macy's (formerly Marshall Field's) exclusively and online at their website. The chocolate mints in the dark green box are the original flavor, now they also make them in many other flavors including some that are seasonal.

Fannie May disappeared briefly closing all their retail stores but the new owner reopened many of the former locations in the fall of 2004. Although the candies are no longer produced locally, they are still using the same recipes and Blommer's chocolate which is based in Chicago. Pixies are my favorites!

Other places chocoholics might want to check out:

Leonidas -59 E. Chicago Avenue and also in the suburb of Wilmette-yummy Belgian chocolates but expensive at about $1 per piece.

Vosges Haut Chocolate -520 N. Michigan Avenue or 951 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park, even more expensive that Leonidas, exotic flavored chocolates using ingredients such as curry and peppers. I tried a couple and wasn't wild about them.

Margie's-1960 N. Western at Armitage, family run ice cream and candy store known for their turtles, chocolate covered pecans and caramel

See's -the California chocolate company is taking on Chicago, 128 Ogden Avenue in Downer's Grove

Ethel's Chocolate Lounge, I believe these are all closed now

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.fanniemay.com/

Little City book sale: Giant used book sale Books & Music Review

June 4-13, 2010, Bargain weekend June 12-13, 2010

Every year in June, Little City (formerly run by Brandeis University) sponsors a used book sale held in the parking lot of Old Orchard mall in Skokie. It was much larger in the Brandeis days but there are still quite a few books and I still come home with a small stack of books, I started bringing a back pack and canvas bag to make it easier to cart them around.

If you need to grab a bite before or after shopping, there are several decent chain restaurants at the mall including Maggiano's (Italian), Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen.

The book sale was virtually the same in 2007 when Little City took over, Brandeis organizers threw in the towel after 48 years of putting it on because they simply couldn't find enough volunteers to work it. But it's gotten a lot smaller and the selection not as varied.

What to buy: Bargain weekend or bargain days is usually the last two days of the sale when everything goes for 1/2 the price marked. It's not as cheap as it once was (50 cents a book) but still not a bad deal, I think the most we paid was $2.50 for a book.

Directions: Parking lot, Old Orchard Mall, Skokie, Illinois

Theme: Books

Website: http://www.littlecity.org

Outlet Malls: Discount shopping Outlet Malls Review

A question I see frequently on forum boards is regarding outlet shopping, mainly from visitors from overseas. There are no outlet malls located within the city of Chicago, most of them require that you have a car or take a commuter train and then a bus and quite honestly, I just don't think you get that good of a deal at the outlet malls. Many of the stores can be found in the city, many of the stores are not true outlets and much of the merchandise is manufactured for the outlet malls so you are not really getting a good deal. I've given an estimate of the time to drive there, in most cases that time will at least double if you try to get there via train and bus.

Premium Outlet Aurora is located west of the city in Aurora, about 45 minutes by car. Of the area outlets, I think it has a better selection and more designer outlets than it's competitors and it's the closest.

Gurnee Mills is located north of the city in Gurnee, with a car it takes about an hour to get there. My least favorite of all the outlet malls, I never seem to find anything to buy when I go there.

Prime Outlet-Pleasant Prairie if you visit Gurnee Mills, you might as well keep going up to Wisconsin and check this one out, just another 15-20 minutes north

Prime Outlet Huntley, about an hour by car, I've never been to this outlet

Lighthouse Place Michigan City, IN, at least 1 1/4 hours from Chicago, it is the furthest from the city and a lot of stores have closed, not worth the drive in my opinion

If you opt to skip the outlet malls, there are many discounters that have stores in downtown Chicago such as Nordstrom Rack (State Street), H&M (Magnificent Mile and State Street), Filene's Basement (Magnificent Mile and State Street), TJ Maxx (State Street), Loehmann's (State Street) and Marshall's (Magnificent Mile).

Theme: Discount Store

Marshall Field's (Macy's) on State: Tiffany mosaic ceiling Marshall Field's Review

Many people miss this beautiful Tiffany glass mosaic ceiling as they are busy shopping at the Marshall Field's (now Macy's) on State, I didn't even know it was there until about a year ago.

It was installed in 1907, it’s the largest unbroken example of Tiffany Favrile glass in the world, with over 1.6 million pieces.

The best way to see it is from the main floor, find the Clinique counter in the cosmetics section and look up. For a closer view you can head up to the 5th floor, I believe I found it in the lingerie section so keep an eye out for undergarments.

Address: 111 N. State

Directions: Loop, between Randolph and Washington

Theme: Art

Website: http://visitmacyschicago.com/