I've been on the hunt for the perfect dress for my daughter's bat mitzvah and it has not been easy…read more After buying out all the dresses from all the local department stores with no luck I decided to check out Janet Mandell's showroom. I was interested in dresses, but also wanted to check out the jewelry, shoes and purses for a maybe dress at home. I made an appointment online (super easy) and paid the $50 fee. I brought along a friend for lunch and shopping since everything is more fun with friends. We showed up a few minutes early for our 2pm appointment and was greeted by the lovely Monika who immediately began pulling dress options for us that fit within the theme/look I was going for. There are so many amazing dresses to choose from, but there's basically only one size of each dress...but I ended up with about 6-10 options. There were a few that looked like ice skating costumes, others that just looked horrible on me and a few good ones as well. I ended up really liking this beautiful white zac pozen dress, but it looked kind of plain on even with the most fabulous pair of borrowed Jimmy Choo sparkly shoes. However, then Monika took us into the jewel/purse room and turned the plain white dress into an amazing option. She was so great at styling the dress that I joked (half serious) that she needed to come home with me to style me daily! The white dress + accessories was an amazing option, but I ultimately decided to stick with my maybe option at home...unless something else really amazing comes along in the next month. I probably need to make yet another appointment at Janet Mandells for accessories and have a feeling I'll be a frequent customer for other events as well. I was a big Rent the Runway fan pre pandemic, but this takes renting dresses and accessories to an entirely new level. And it's hard to swallow the cost of some of these dresses and accessories that I know i'll wear once when I can rent something amazing at a fraction of the cost.

This was on Superior street the last four years and now their in the 900 Shops Mall. The F.D.O…read more (first day opening) was in late Dec. This is luxury & couture designer clothing rental. This is by appointment only.

Lovely to see this cute family owned clothing boutique on this side of Milwaukee Ave! Winsome is…read morenext to new additions to Avondale (right next to Avondale bowl and Magnifico Coffee) and carries mostly womens clothing, accessories, and some beauty products. I took a quick stroll inside and walked out with a new sweater, cuticle oil, and incense sticks. I love that a lot of their products are made from recycled goods and from locally sourced designers. The price range is a bit high for the area, but the quality is definitely there. Can't wait to stop in again!

I've been shopping with GEM since 2000, so that's says it all! Laura is a fantastic designer,…read morebusiness owner, and person. If you're looking for affordable, high-quality, custom jewelry for all types and occasions, you need not look further. Whatever you buy here you will love - or share the love - they will love it too!

I have been shopping at Gem for 10 years, and I always find something! I have a few pairs of…read moreearrings that I rotate out and wear on a daily basis as well as a few pairs of fancier earrings, too. They have a great mixture of high-end pieces as well as more affordable options, too. They are also one of the few jewelery stores to do permanent bracelets, which look so beautiful, and I've gotten a few of those, too. Fairly recently, they moved locations and also opened a home goods store that sells art, kitchen items, decor, and even crystals! This is my favorite store in Oak Park and the staff are truly welcoming, kind, knowledgeable, and very interested in their customers' lives!

What a lovely shop, with an even lovelier proprietor! I've been visiting metta baby down the street…read morefor the last few weeks, and when I've passed Virtu it piqued my interest. Today I was at metta baby for a CPR refresher so I finally had the opportunity to head down the block and check it out. The owner had opened it a few minutes early because when I got there at 10:58 (they open at 11) there were already a few people in and she joked that perhaps she should open at 10. She was super friendly with everyone in the store and very helpful. There were a couple folks with whom she was talking about the being a business owner (they were also business owners), and the business climate in Bucktown. She was joking around with some other customers about some funny cards that she carries. When I was looking at the various jewelry cases she has throughout the store, she let me know right away that if I wanted to see anything to let her know, and she told me about some of the designers that she had in her shop. I really enjoyed talking with her, and I'm almost ashamed I didn't get her name. Her passion for her business and local businesses in general, as well as her dedication to truly providing fantastic and thoughtful service to her customers was palpable. Virtu's proprietor is the epitome of why I LOVE to shop local; oftentimes people at mass merchandisers, whilst hard working and helpful, don't have the same sort of pride, flexibility, and ethos of care that a local business owner does. I visited a couple days before Halloween, and she mentioned that after the holiday she'd start putting out the Christmas merchandise which is already waiting to make its debut. I think she also mentioned that she has extended hours during the holiday season. I'm excited to stop in once she's in the holiday swing to see what I can find here for friends, loved ones (and who knows, maybe even myself), and maybe even something special for my little one's first Christmas.

I wrote a review several years ago in which I praised Julie's ability to pick out jewelry…read more(specifically earrings) that look good on me. I have bought at least three pairs of earrings from Julie which I never would have picked up to try on myself -- I needed her eye to help me (1) find them and (2) realize that I wanted something like them in my jewelry wardrobe. The way this usually plays out is: I come in to the store and find a few things in the cases to try on; I am drawn to the way earrings look hanging on a stand or propped up on those little pieces of wood or leather that all jewelry stores use, but it's very hard correctly connect all the dots from "I like the way that looks in the case" to "that would look good on me." Earrings genuinely do not look the same once you pick them up and put them in your ears, and I've made the mistake more than once of buying earrings that looked great in my jewelry box, but not as great on. (But I have not done this at Virtu, because I think Julie would stop me). So first I try the things on that I pick out, and then Julie usually slides on over with, "...but would you consider these?" And she does it in a really friendly way that is not pushy or a high-pressure sales tactic, it is more "I think this shape/color/contrast would look good in your particular ears." And she is right with astounding frequency, including sometimes with pieces I would never have looked twice at in the case. It is a genuine skill and I find it impressive. For this reason I unfortunately have to limit the number of times I visit per year because I am so likely to buy things!

Updating my review in honor of Small Business Saturday (I'm a day late) to say that this shop is…read morestill great and I still wear my ring (atelier narce) from here every single day; it only comes off to shower or if I'm typing something long on my laptop or cooking. I also have a pair of diamond studs from Sailor -- and I never thought I was a diamond stud person -- that are definitely in my top 5 earrings on rotation. Those are by Tura Sugden. Sailor carries a number of lines which are not to my knowledge available anywhere else in the city. I know a lot of business has moved online these days but I really recommend shopping in person if possible.

Such a cute shop. Checked out Damen at Night this past Friday evening with a friend who recently…read morerelocated to the area. The shop has a great selection of jewelry, candles, books, art and other things. I wanted everything! The owner was very nice and sweet and I'll def be back again.

I went here twice during summer 2025, and both experiences were very welcoming. The first time I…read morecame in to shop, the owner even offered me a job, but I already had a summer internship. I was given my price with no tax I believe I bought a ring and possibly a necklace though I don't remember exactly. The second time, I came back to buy the same ring, along with a bracelet and maybe the necklace if I didn't get it the first time. I wasn't given the no‑tax price this visit, and I'm not sure if the owner remembered me, but the experience was still very friendly. I do wish the ring I bought the second time hadn't scratched, but overall I really love my finds and would definitely go back again.

The owner was very friendly, fast service, and very reasonable! Highly recommend Nice Trading .read more

Scam!!!! I bought shoes in size 14 men's. I own 100+ pairs of shoes. I just asked for an exchange…read moreof these made in China plastic pressed $85 shoes. They told me I would have to send $30 to get the right to exchange the shoes. Internet scam. Do not buy from this company.

Disappointed because they sent a size to big and when I went to return them informed me mine was a…read morefinal sale. Their mistake (or they're trying to off load surplus shoes). i would never buy a shoe from this company!

When I moved to Chicago 22 years ago, I lives in Rogers Park where it seemed to be a rather diverse…read morearea. A lot of that diversity was present in the restaurants and small boutiques. Unan Imports became one of my favourites. I have bought shirts in the traditional fashion, soap, lotions, and wood carvings in the past. My constant purchases are for the body oils. There is a large supply of oils that don't stain your clothes and don't require dousing for keeping the fragrance on throughout the day. While the products are really great and are of greater quality, the owner makes the shop very welcoming. I admit bias in that in metro Chicago I will take my dollars here because service is everything and it's so nice to feel like your business is appreciated.

I stumbled across their booth at a community street fair in Evanston and was so glad I did. They…read moreoffer a wide range of beautiful African body products, jewelry, and paraphernalia. I picked up a body butter for $15 and a matching roll-on oil for $5. Considering it's organic and locally made, I found the price to be fair. The owners were gracious and knowledgeable. I just wish they offered shipping so I could stock up on more of their amazing butter.