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Best Gift Shops For Tech Lovers In Chicago

Arguably it takes a tech lover to see an electronics store as a treasure-filled gift store or yummy candy shop. So look beyond the variety stores that are all things to all people. Instead, hone in on places that specialize in tech gadgets and electronic systems. Here are five Chicago area stores that meet different kinds of techie wishes.
220 Electronics
546 Crossen Ave.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(877) 0578-0587
www.220-electronics.com

220 Electronics, a suburban Chicago company that has been around for 35 years, sells equipment globally, but its store is in Elk Grove Village. This is the place for techies who travel to find Region Free Blu-ray players and international electronic connectors. The store specializes in electronic that can be usable no matter what the country's voltage happens to be. be sure to check out the weekly specials for great deals on electronics.

Chicago Gadgets
(Photo Credit: Chicago Gadgets' Facebook)

Chicago Gadgets
4611 N. Kedzie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 463-9999
www.ChicagoGadgets.com

Chicago Gadgets, located in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood, specializes in computer repairs but also carries Samsung tablets, iPads, computers, LG Pads and game systems. The staff here can offer good tips on maintaining equipment and extending battery life so cell phones don't run down fast. The shop also offers such services as phone unlock, repairs on cracked cell phones and tablets, and gaming systems, so if your tech lover recently dropped his new iPad, he'll be pleasantly surprised to find it fixed after you bring it home from Chicago Gadgets.

ABT Electronics
1200 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Glenview IL 60025
(888) 228-5800
www.abt.com

A popular family-owned store, ABT Electronics has a lot more than kitchen appliances and TVs. This is also a place to pick up sound equipment for the home or car, smart phones, cameras and game equipment. For the fitness folks, it's also a place to find such wearable tech devices as a Fitbit Flex Activity Tracker, which tracks everything from calories burned and steps taken to sleep quality and nutrition intake. The store is also fun to visit for its free, freshly baked cookies, central fountain that spurts to music and the classes it offers on some tech gadgets.

Related: Mothers' Day Gifts For Techy Moms

Tech Connectors
729 W. Fullerton Ave., Suite 1A
Addison, IL 60101
(877) 689-8324
www.techconnectors.com

Visitors can likely tell when they are in a techie home if everything - or most things - can be turned on or off, opened, closed or otherwise controlled by a keyboard or phone. A gift certificate to a techie from Tech Connectors in west suburban Addison will help your tech lover control such items as security and energy saving devices or an entertainment system, all with the touch of a button.

U-Spy Store
2406 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 529-2779
www.uspystore.com

Whether interested in something serious such as a nanny camera or motion activated cameras for the home or business, or merely interested in a good, high resolution camera or video recorder for photo work or a hobby, U-Spy has the equipment and staff expertise to help. The main store is in the Logan Square, Bucktown area and has a second store in Skokie.

Related: Best Camera Shops In Chicago

Jodie Jacobs is a veteran journalist who loves writing about Chicago, art, theater, museums and travel. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
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