Best Local Shops To Visit On Black Friday And Small Business Saturday In Chicago
How do you avoid being trampled by bug-eyed shoppers stampeding through department stores to snag cheap "Despicable Me" action figures? Steer completely clear of chain stores on Black Friday. Instead, treat yourself to a pleasant shopping experience by visiting these local shops on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday for some smile-worthy savings.
Eskell
1509 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-0830
www.eskell.com
Eskell, the Wicker Park shop featuring a dreamy mix of the Eskell line, hard-to-find labels and vintage, will be doing "you pick" surprise discounts on Small Business Saturday. The promotion applies to everything in store: you pick a ribbon and inside is the discounted percentage off the listed price. The women's clothing and accessories shop is toying with the idea of running the promotion on Black Friday, too, so give the shop a call if you must shop on that day.
Bargains In A Box
4254 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago IL 60641
(773) 481-7720
www.facebook.com/Bargains-in-a-Box
If you're one who thrives on the Black Friday shopping hunt, you can't get more primitive than Bargains in a Box, Chicago-based, family-owned discount stores that have unbeatable deals and a tent sale for Black Friday. Customers dig through boxes for their finds and use more brown boxes on ropes (instead of shopping carts or baskets) to drag around their ultra cheap trophies. Bag name-brand merch like Levi's, cookware, toys and even HDTVs. The Black Friday tent sale could offer luggage, winter apparel, beauty products and definitely tons of wrapping paper and stocking stuffers. There are three shops in the city and three in the suburbs.
Robin Richman
2108 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 278-6150
www.robinrichman-shop.com
A female fantasy world of statement necklaces, striking European garments, designer shoes, handmade hats and chunky, cozy sweaters all exquisitely displayed, Robin Richman will offer a flat 15 percent off of everything in the store on Black Friday. If that doesn't sound like a lot, it will be, because items at the Bucktown shop tend to be pricey but its one-of-a-kind nature and sheer splendor are sure to thrill whomever you are buying for.
Related: Best Vintage Stores In Chicago
Trillium
1744 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 698-8162
www.trilliumchicago.com
Winner of "Best New Store" by Chicago Magazine in 2011, Trillium stocks new styles of clothing and accessories weekly. Expect to browse through pieces by designers both well known and independent including Whit, Joie, Cynthia Vincent, 194t, Dannijo, dl1961, Piplette and more. You can't miss finding a gift for yourself or others in terms of denim, casual tees, sweaters, blouses, dresses, jewelry, handbags, shoes and a smattering of stuff for men. On Black Friday, owner Erica Cook promises "at the very least, 30 percent off of any purchase." She says the discount may go even deeper later in the day. You'll just have to be there to find out.
Dusty Groove
1120 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 342-5800
www.dustygroove.com
From teenagers to boomers, everyone loves vinyl these days and Dusty Groove gives you reason to rifle through the LPs. Record Store Day now occurs twice each year, one of which is Black Friday, meaning you can snag limited-edition vinyl, CDs, DVDs, box sets and more. Dusty Groove's Doug Arnold explains, "I can say now for sure that there will be a bunch of great specialty Black Friday releases, in conjunction with Record Store Day, that will only be available here and at the other area independent record stores."
Related: Best Places For Black Friday Shopping Deals In Chicago 2012
Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
