Chicago is one of the best cities to shop if you are a lover of unique, vintage items. From clothes and jewelry to furniture and architectural pieces, there is a little bit of everything in the city. Here is a look at some of the best places to shop for vintage in Chicago.
Hubba Hubba 3309 N. Clark Street
Hubba Hubba has been a staple of the Clark-Belmont shopping district since the late 1980s. Though they do carry some new items, it is a must-see for lovers of vintage jewelry and accessories. If you are looking for a vintage look for your clothes, but don’t mind that they are new, you can find lots of different retro looks here as well. Signing up for their email list will give you access to discounts, including one for your birthday.
An Orange Moon 2418 W. North Avenue
Located in the Bucktown area of Chicago, An Orange Moon is a great place to find vintage furniture. All of the essential pieces to decorate your home in a “Mad Men” retro look can be found here at reasonable prices. The shop has the ability to ship worldwide, so even tourists can bring home some fantastic vintage finds. Some of the furniture is available for sale through their website, or you can stop in their store to see everything in person.
Vintage Underground 1834 W. North Avenue
Vintage underground specializes in vintage jewelry pieces, though they do carry a wide assortment of purses, belts, hats, and other accessories. Collectors of signed pieces can find a good selection of Whiting and Davis, Kenneth Jay Lane, and Vintage Avon pieces, as well as other notable designers. Costume pieces with a 1950s and 1960s feel can be found in many shops around the city, but Vintage Underground sells items that are of high quality for affordable prices.
Salvage One 1840 W. Halsted Street
Salvage one specializes in vintage furniture and accents, but their specialty is unique. They pride themselves on salvaged items, from old hotel furniture to vintage signs. The prices can be a bit on the higher side, but what you get is a piece of history that cannot be found anywhere else. One great bonus about Salvage One is their event space, if you happen to be planning a wedding or large party, they also offer a great alternative to a banquet hall. If you aren’t able to make it to the Salvage One shop, you can also browse their online store.
Rudy’s Roundup 1410 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Rudy’s Roundup bills itself as a “modern day general store.” It is a great place to find a quick gift for any person on your list that is hard to shop for. Not everything in the store is vintage, but even new goods have a vintage feel to them. Rudy’s sells paper goods, jewelry, candles, soaps, and plenty of other gift items. The best word to use to describe the selection is kitsch, but it is definitely a retro kind of kitsch. There is no online ordering for Rudy’s, so you will just have to stop in the next time you are in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area.
