Supporting Small Business Saturday: My Favorite Chicago Small Businesses

Small Business Saturday: My Favorite Chicago Small Businesses

The majority of the content I share is based on online shopping. However, I love supporting small businesses and since Small Business Saturday is coming up (day after Black Friday), I thought I’d share my favorite Chicago small businesses. A lot of them are local to where I live. However, Chicago is full of amazing small businesses. So no matter where you are, please do support these local businesses. They provide something that online shopping cannot. It really is an experience from the ambiance to the customer service to the relationship they have to the neighborhood.

My Favorite Chicago Small Businesses

Printer’s Row Coffee

ADDRESS: 2482 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

I probably showcase Printer’s Row Coffee a lot and there’s a reason why. They have AMAZING coffee and the staff is so friendly. They also have specialty drinks for each season that are worth trying out. Their specialty drinks are innovative and delicious. Sometimes you will be able to catch them roasting their coffee beans. In addition to coffee, they have delicious pastries. On weekends only, they have these most scrumptious donuts made out of sweet potato or sour cream. They also have cute merchandise to purchase.

Play

ADDRESS: 2462 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (Lincoln Park)
3109 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647  (Logan Square)

Play is a children’s toy & book store (a few buildings away from Printer’s Row). The owner really curates the best toys for every age group. Our nephew LOVES every toy we have purchased from there. Plus everything there is super cute. The books they have, I just want for myself haha. So even if you don’t have kids, I think Play is worth checking out. If you need any help finding a good option, the staff does an awesome job helping you out. They ask a few questions and they are able to pick the right gift. They can also wrap your gift for FREE! You bet we took advantage of that. They have two locations: Lincoln Park & Logan Square.

Alice & Wonder

ADDRESS: 956 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

I’ve worn several Alice & Wonder pieces on the blog. They carry the chicest clothes at an affordable price from well known brands like Free People, Levi’s, etc. Hardly anything is over $100. There are a few exceptions, but trust me those exceptions are worth it and not that much over $100. The store itself is worth checking out. The decor and ambiance is SO CUTE! Like Instagram-worthy cuteness. In addition to clothing, they have adorable home decor too!

Pyar & Co

ADDRESS: 2130 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

Pyar & Co is a good mixture of children’s clothing (and toys) and home decor. A lot of their selections are from Danish brands. During our time in Copenhagen, I was gushing at their home decor and kids stuff. So I was surprised to find a store that has those adorable Danish things in Chicago. I bought the cutest clothes for my niece there. It’s so unique and darling. And some of the clothing has a matching mommy outfit for those who are into Mommy & Me outfits. Their bedding stuff is amazing. High quality and chic style.

Lost Girls Vintage

ADDRESS: 1947 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Everything I have shared thus far is in Lincoln Park. Lost Girls Vintage is in West Town. Not too far but I had to share the uniqueness of this store. Everything they have is one of a kind and/or vintage. But they have the coolest stuff! The moment I walked into the store I can’t help but say “wow this is so cool” to almost everything!

Bagelers

ADDRESS: 2461 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Not only is Bagelers a coffeeshop, but it is known for the bagels and spreads. I honestly think they have the best bagels in the city. Omg so good!! Their “The Bageler” breakfast sandwich is SO GOOD! They also offer sandwiches for lunch as well. I will warn you that sometimes the lines are long. But it is worth it!

P.O.S.H.

ADDRESS: 613 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

If you are into unique, vintage, and Parisian trinkets, then you will LOVE the store P.O.S.H. The owners of this store would go to European flea markets and bring back a mixture of used and unused pieces like beautiful chinas, vases and random knick knacks. Most pieces are affordable but there is some stuff that is on the expensive side. Even the building this store is in is a historical one. In the middle of the hustle of downtown, you immediately will notice its unique exterior. The building is called the Tree House Studio, and in the Gilded Age it was a residence of over 500 artists.

Chicago Small Business Saturday Itinerary

I thought it would be fun to see how you can incorporate all these small businesses in one day! I might be following the same itinerary!

• Get ‘The Bageler’ sandwich from Bagelers for breakfast.
• Take a 1 minute walk and grab a coffee from Printer’s Row Coffee. Might as well add a sweet potato donut. They have a limited quantity so if it is available, take it! I’m really loving their cardamon & clove latte with oat milk.
• Then start heading south and walk over to Play. This is less than a minute walk. Just explore all their fun toys. I bet there will be some books there that you will love as a coffee table book. Buy a toy(s) for a kid in your life and get it wrapped up! Or get a book for yourself and wrap it up!
• Then walk a few blocks south over to Pyar & Co. This is less than a 10 minute. Get some cute home decor or cute Danish stuff either for a child or for yourself.
• Then after finding some Danish decor/gifts, walk 6 minutes west to Alice & Wonder. Find yourself a cute Christmas or NYE outfit!
• Then hop on the red line from the Fullerton station (or you can Uber/taxi) and get off at Grand & State and walk to P.O.S.H. Get some cute European trinkets for yourself & unique gifts for someone you are close with.
• Take an Uber/taxi to Lost Girls Vintage (about 12 minute ride). Find an amazing vintage piece for yourself.
• If you are a Chicagoan, go out and support these (or any) Chicago small businesses especially on Small Business Saturday and any time of the year!
• If it is dinner, walk along Chicago Ave and there are tons of local-owned restaurants! My favorite is Beatknik!

xo RD