Where To Find the Best Chicago Shopping Off of Michigan Avenue

Chicago is home to some fabulous shopping. The obvious staples are The Magnificent Mile and State Street Shopping. However, there are some other shopping gems in Chicago. Three of these lesser known locations are Vive La Femme in Bucktown, Never Mind at Clark and Belmont and Quake Collectibles in Logan Square.

Vive La Femme is a great boutique in Bucktown. The store is geared towards plus sized women, and it is filled with clothing for all occasions. They carry everything from jeans to dresses. The clothing is sophisticated and sexy. These two words are not often associated with plus size clothing. The cuts are flattering for many shapes and body types. The store staff is amazing too. They are great at picking sizes, colors, and styles that are perfect for you. The staff will bend over backwards to make your shopping experience as enjoyable and successful. On our last trip out that way, we arrived shortly before the store closed. Stephanie (the owner) stayed open and helped us. If you have been to Vive La Femme before, you should know they have recently moved into a new store front. It is just down the street from their original location, but it is much more spacious and bright. The store is easily accessible by public transportation. Take the blue line to Damen. Then you can walk north on Damen. The store is just south of Webster. If you aren't up for walking the 77 Belmont bus will take you there too.

Clark and Belmont has great shopping for the trendy, vintage and alternative shopper. One of the stand out stores is Never Mind and it's accessory filled sister Never Mind Extras. In July 2004 , I traveled to Chicago for Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party. I went to see Guster play. It had rained before to concert, so my one pair of shoes (I was staying in a hostel and I had barely enough room for my back pack) got wet. The leather straps cut into my feet resulting in cuts and welts. The next day I bandaged myself up and headed out. It wasn't enough. I jumped on the Red line and headed to Clark and Belmont. When I hobbled off the CTA platform, Never Mind was the first store I saw. From the outside it looks like and expensive trendy boutique. I didn't think I would find anything I could afford, but I needed a new pair of shoes badly. When I entered the store I was pleasantly surprised. The shoe selection alone was amazing. There were racks and racks of sale price shoes. One of the shelves was marked $5. Even the full priced shoes weren't bad. I found a pair of comfortable shoes for $5, and I have been in love with the store ever since. If you are over a size 10, good luck with the clothes. However, the shoes are amazing! Never Mind extras is a few store fronts down. It carries accessories you find in the regular store, plus so much more. Once again the regular prices aren't half bad, and the sale prices are amazing. On our last visit, my sister bought a handbag, two belts, a watch and a pair of earrings for $44.

Sometimes we need to indulge our inner child. Quake Collectibles is a wonderful place to do this. Quake Collectibles is a short walk from the Western Brown Line stop on Lincoln. You can find a wide range of vintage toys just waiting for a new home. The store has He-Man figures, G.I. Joes, Care Bears, vintage lunch boxes and more. The store is not very big, but it is jammed packed with so many toys you could spend hours exploring it all. Quake has some odd hours (1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. most days), and it is a little off the tourist beaten path. Still, it is worth the extra trip.

The next time you make a trip to Chicago, consider checking these places out. Take time to explore the neighborhoods surrounding these stores too. You may find other stores you love too!