Markets and independent shops in Chicago

409 markets, bookshops, record shops and makers in Chicago.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 409.

BuyNear North
900 N Michigan Ave
70 specialty shops in the most stunning of the Michigan Avenue malls. Includes MaxMara, among the most expensive stores for women's apparel on a street that's known for expense.
Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun noon-6PM
BuyNear North
The Merchandise Mart
The Mart strides the barrier between River North and the Loop, with a train station and a zip code all to itself, not to mention a Holiday Inn, several offices, a school, two radio stations, restaurants, and, of course, shopping. It also includes the Chicago Apparel Center. None of the stores are considered major destinations by themselves, but there are frequent trade shows, and many other reasons for business travelers to find themselves at the Mart.
Hours vary by store
BuySecond-hand shopPilsen
Knee Deep Vintage
Wide selection of vintage apparel spanning several decades for reasonable prices.
Mon-Thu 11AM-7PM, Fri Sat 11AM-9PM, Sun noon-6PMWheelchair accessible
BuyCraft shopWicker Park
Beadniks
Beads for the true bead fiend, both ready-made and ready to be made. There are classes for beginners on Tuesday nights (7-9PM, $60), and occasional workshops — check the calendar.
Mon-Sat 11AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM
BuyBookshopWicker Park
Myopic Books
Justly beloved used book store with cats, clutter (80,000 books worth), and great hours. They occasionally host Experimental Music Mondays and poetry readings on Sundays, but with three floors, there's always a quiet corner.
9AM-11PM daily
BuyBookshopWicker Park
Quimby's Bookstore
Lots of edgy books, indie comix, and hip zines (hand-stapled and well-polished alike). If somebody out there is publishing about it, Quimby's probably has it.
Mon-Thu noon-9PM, Fri noon-10PM, Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun noon-7PM
BuyCraft shopNear South
yarnify!
Yarn powerhouse. Classes are available, and Friday nights are an open-knitting party.
Mon-Thu 11AM-7PM, Fri 11AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun noon-5PM
BuyRecord shopWicker Park
Dusty Groove
This record store is regarded as one of the best in the country for R&B, soul, and jazz.
10AM-8PM daily
BuyBridgeport-Chinatown
Golden Dragon Fortune Cookies
Yes, the man who writes the fortunes is in this factory. Buy fortune cookies fresh out of the oven, or get them in bulk until you can't carry any more.
BuyBookshopWicker Park
Abraham Lincoln Book Shop
Offers "Historical Americana," namely Lincoln and Civil War items, rare and autographed books, an amazing collection of Civil War photographs and salt prints, and all sorts of fascinating miscellany. Check out their "Essential" shelves for aspiring collectors and see how your own stacks up. Appraisal services are also available.
Tue - Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-4PM
BuyWicker Park
Mojo Spa
A spa also known for its body butters and dessert-shaped soaps, all made locally. Small staff is helpful and very friendly.
Tue-Fri 11:30AM-8PM, Sat 10:30AM-8PM, Sun 10:30AM-6PM, closed Mon
BuyNear North
Apple Store
For some, a welcome respite from all of the clothes; for others, just more expensive fashion. This Apple-sleek showroom carries the full line of the company's products and accessories, and is usually packed with on-lookers pawing at all of the pretty designs. Several workshops are held each day for the true believers.
Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-6PM
BuyRecord shopWicker Park
Reckless Records
A place for obscure vinyl and a well-organized assortment of CDs. They also sell DVDs and VHS. Though best known for being where High Fidelity was set, they are slightly more agreeable now about purchases.
Mon-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-8PMWheelchair accessible
BuyBookshopLoop
Graham Crackers
Comic book store right off Michigan Avenue. The staff aren't much of a treat, but the comic selection isn't bad.
Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 11AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM
BuyRecord shopBridgeport-Chinatown
K POP of Chinatown
Store that specializes in all kinds of K-Pop (Korean pop) music and merchandise with CD's, DVD's, shirts, mugs, posters and other types of merchandise. Lots of unique and interesting K-Pop stuff sold here.
11AM-7PM daily
BuyCraft shopPilsen
Escaramuza
Exceptional selection of handmade Mexican folk art and crafts, at prices that are nearly impossible to refuse. The friendly proprietors have lived in Pilsen for decades, and are a great source of information about the neighborhood and upcoming events.
BuyRecord shopBridgeport-Chinatown
Let's Boogie
A big vinyl store specializing in dance music from house to hip hop. No used records around, only new. A popular shop with Chicago DJs.
Mon-Sat 11AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-3PM
BuyWicker Park
Alcala's Western Wear
One perfectly reasonable reaction to the trendy fashion in Wicker Park is to go country. Alcala's has been in the neighborhood for a long time, back when the Mexican cowboy look ruled the local scene. The big, family-owned store has a ton of leather boots & jackets, not to mention 5,000 hats.
Mon Thu-Sat 9:30AM-7PM, Tue Wed 9:30AM-6PM, Sun 9:30AM-5PM
BuyChatham-South Shore
Angborki Doe Designs
African imports, aimed at home decor from jewelry and artwork to sofas.
Mon-Sat 9AM-7PM
BuyNear North
Ann Taylor
Money rushes out of wallets at this fashionable women's store, anchor of the 600 N Michigan shopping complex. If you like what you see, also check out the Ann Taylor Loft at 520 N Michigan, and another at Water Tower Place (see below).
Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-6PM
BuyBridgeport-Chinatown
Augustine's Spiritual Boutique
A store full of everything spiritual: from a rosary and cross collection to occult tomes and voodoo powders. Knowledgeable and helpful staff. They occasionally offer classes in mysticism (call for current information).
Mon-Fri 11AM-7PM, Sat 11AM-6PM
BuyNear North
Burberry
Fashion for men, women, and children from the English retail legend, famous for their made-to-order trench coats.
Mon-Sat 9:30AM-6PM, Sun noon-5PM
BuyLoop
Central Camera
As the name suggests, this is a centrally-located place to deal with fussy cameras or upgrade to better ones. They've been in business since 1899, and have an awe-inspiring amount of spare and obsolete parts from over the years in storage, so don't be shy about asking for something you can't find anywhere else.
Mon-Fri 8:30AM-5:30PM, Sat 8:30AM-5PM
BuyUptown
Early to Bed
Lesbian-owned, female-oriented sex shop without the sleaze. They hold weekly workshops on topics ranging from erotic writing to strategies for, well, you know. Check the schedule on the website (mostly Tuesdays).
Tue noon-7PM, Wed Thu Sat noon-8PM, Fri noon-9PM, Sun noon-6PM, Mon closedWorkshops are $15/$10 students, reservations required
BuyNear North
Ermenegildo Zegna
All of the elements for an excessively fashionable man, from shoes to shirts to suits.
Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun noon-5PM
BuyUptown
Foursided
An eclectic framing shop with a fun selection of cards, one-of-a-kind treasures, and found-art assemblages by the staff and local artists that's worth a look.
Mon-Wed 11AM-7PM, Thu-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-5PM
BuyBronzeville
Gallery Guichard
A Bronzeville art gallery dealing in fine art, especially related to Africa and the African diaspora as well as multicultural art from around the world. Contact Gallery Guichard to visit the gallery and experience fine art exhibitions held every 2 to 3 months.
Wed 2-5PM, Fri 1-5PM, Sat noon-3PM
BuyBridgeport-Chinatown
Grandstand
A store with extensive inventory of sports memorabilia. A good place to pick up a reproduction Negro League jersey or rare baseball cards.
Mon-Fri 10AM-7PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-5PM
BuyPilsen
Irv's Bike Shop
Pilsen is a serious bicycle neighborhood, and Irv's is a good place for repairs and accessories.
Mon Tue Thu Fri 10AM-7PM, Sat 10AM-6PM
BuyLoop
Jeweler's Center
An estimated 185 jewelers in one building by the elevated tracks give this a Wild West atmosphere — you could leave with a terrific deal, or...
Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun closed except four weeks prior to Christmas (25 Dec)
BuyNear North
Neiman Marcus Showroom
Prada, Chanel, and other designer accessories in this distinctive Michigan Avenue store.
Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun noon-5PM
BuyNear West Side
New Maxwell Street Market
The much smaller size and higher vendor fees ensure that the original flavor of the world's greatest outdoor market is now only a piece of history, but the New Market has a truly awe-inspiring number of cheap Mexican food along with discount jewelry, t-shirts, random vintage items, suspicious electronics, and other flea market classics, and is a lot of fun.
Sun 7AM-3PM year-round
BuyNear North
Nike
Not quite the hot-spot it was after it opened in 1993, when lines wrapped around the block to get in, but Niketown still exists somewhere between a store and a shrine to Nike products. Athletes from visiting sports teams can often be seen here paying homage (and cash).
Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 10AM-6PM
BuyLoop
Nordstrom Rack
The outlet store for the Near North retailer. There's plenty of heavily-discounted merchandise, but shoes are where the serious mania lies.
Mon-Sat 9:30AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-7PM
BuyPilsen
Ochoa Sporting Goods
There's Chicago-centric sports gear, too, but if you have a specific futbol jersey in mind, this is your best bet.
Mon-Fri 11AM-7PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-3PM
BuyWicker Park
Odd Obsession
Ultra-eccentric video rental store. YouTube pales, cuts its hair and goes to law school next to the rarities found here. It’s cheap, too. If you plan on being in Chicago for a while, you can volunteer to work here.
2-10PM daily
BuyWicker Park
Penelope's
Good-looking clothes — Penelope's carries younger, hip brands for men and women, but it's quality stuff, made to last. They have some good handbags, messenger bags, and cool gifts as well.
Mon-Sat 11AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-6PM
BuyWicker Park
Saint Alfred
Collectible sneakers both classic and modern are sold here, along with cool kicks and other gear by local designers.
Mon-Sat noon-8PM, Sun noon-6PM
BuyNear North
Salvatore Ferragamo
Fashionable boutique for women's apparel and accessories. The store is far from cluttered; what they have will sell, and they know it.
Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun noon-5PM
BuyUptown
Strange Cargo
Highly entertaining vintage t-shirt, souvenir, and anything-goes store. Great place to find annual Halloween, St. Pat's or Pride Parade clothing.
Mon-Sat 11AM-6:45PM, Sun 11AM-5PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Chicago (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.