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10 Must-Shop Stores To Explore in Chicago

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As vacation season approaches, we'll be rolling out guides to the best shopping in ten Racked cities. Up next: Racked Chicago's can't-miss stores.

Photo: Ikram via Facebook

Headed to the Windy City this summer? We suggest two things: pack a raincoat, and print out this guide of the city's can't-miss shops. From a store that packs a beautifully edited array of small-batch beauty goods to a red, glossy shop that's mentioned frequently in national fashion magazines, these stores give a sampling of Chicago's finest offerings.


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Chalk Boutique

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The Evanston women's shop gains frequent mentions in national fashion magazines, and champions rising designers such as Mathieu Mirano. [Photo: via Chalk]

Aaron's Apothecary

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Inspired by owner Aaron Pietrykowski's travels to pharmacies around the world, the old-world-style apothecary slings everything from vitamins to smoothing salt scrubs. [Photo: via Facebook]

Jayson Home

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Jayson Home staffers bill "beautiful things" as their number- one obsession. Indeed, a common thread of good taste runs through the selection of modern and vintage furniture, lighting, pillows, textiles, and tableware—there are even beautiful ceramic candles edged in gold. The store's annual fall flea markets are legendary (and, sometimes, disco-ball-flecked.) [Photo: via Facebook]

Dose Market

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The thoughtful market stocks food and fashion—and it recently became a weekly event. It takes place every Sunday. [Photo: via Facebook/ Dose Market]

Asrai Garden

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The verdant flower shop feels like a hidden garden. Tucked amid the flowers, shoppers find beautifully designed home goods and sweetly scented apothecary items. [Photo: via Asrai Garden]

Silver Moon

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Owned by a former rock-star stylist, this store lays claim to the area's largest selection of mint-condition, vintage bridal goods. It has goods dating back to the 1890s, and accessories such as a 1950s straw hat and 1930s cufflinks. [Photo: via Facebook]

Ruby Room, The Style of Wellness

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The Bucktown temple of positive vibes has a completely unique setup. It combines an inn with a salon, spa, and a top-notch beauty shop. There are also Essence, Chinese Herb, and Crystal bars. [Photo: Courtesy of the Ruby Room]
The glossy red exterior offers an appropriately dramatic facade for this world-renowned boutique, which sells women's couture. Bonus: there's an in-house cafe that's perfect for power lunches. [Photo: via Ikram]

Randolph Street Market

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Billed as the country's largest urban antique markets, the monthly shopping experience offers antiques, indie designers, and cool oddities like a Nude Sketch Parlor (open for the Valentine's Day market.) [Photo: via Randolph Street Market/ Facebook]

Elements

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Gorgeous, high-end home goods fill this Wells Street shop, and we love that owners describe the inventory as a collection of "unrivaled surprises." Examples? Parisian rain gloves and rainbow-hued highball glasses. [Photo: via Elements]

Chalk Boutique

The Evanston women's shop gains frequent mentions in national fashion magazines, and champions rising designers such as Mathieu Mirano. [Photo: via Chalk]

Aaron's Apothecary

Inspired by owner Aaron Pietrykowski's travels to pharmacies around the world, the old-world-style apothecary slings everything from vitamins to smoothing salt scrubs. [Photo: via Facebook]

Jayson Home

Jayson Home staffers bill "beautiful things" as their number- one obsession. Indeed, a common thread of good taste runs through the selection of modern and vintage furniture, lighting, pillows, textiles, and tableware—there are even beautiful ceramic candles edged in gold. The store's annual fall flea markets are legendary (and, sometimes, disco-ball-flecked.) [Photo: via Facebook]

Dose Market

The thoughtful market stocks food and fashion—and it recently became a weekly event. It takes place every Sunday. [Photo: via Facebook/ Dose Market]

Asrai Garden

The verdant flower shop feels like a hidden garden. Tucked amid the flowers, shoppers find beautifully designed home goods and sweetly scented apothecary items. [Photo: via Asrai Garden]

Silver Moon

Owned by a former rock-star stylist, this store lays claim to the area's largest selection of mint-condition, vintage bridal goods. It has goods dating back to the 1890s, and accessories such as a 1950s straw hat and 1930s cufflinks. [Photo: via Facebook]

Ruby Room, The Style of Wellness

The Bucktown temple of positive vibes has a completely unique setup. It combines an inn with a salon, spa, and a top-notch beauty shop. There are also Essence, Chinese Herb, and Crystal bars. [Photo: Courtesy of the Ruby Room]

ikram

The glossy red exterior offers an appropriately dramatic facade for this world-renowned boutique, which sells women's couture. Bonus: there's an in-house cafe that's perfect for power lunches. [Photo: via Ikram]

Randolph Street Market

Billed as the country's largest urban antique markets, the monthly shopping experience offers antiques, indie designers, and cool oddities like a Nude Sketch Parlor (open for the Valentine's Day market.) [Photo: via Randolph Street Market/ Facebook]

Elements

Gorgeous, high-end home goods fill this Wells Street shop, and we love that owners describe the inventory as a collection of "unrivaled surprises." Examples? Parisian rain gloves and rainbow-hued highball glasses. [Photo: via Elements]