Damen Avenue
BUCKTOWN | Upscale neighborhood full of attractions for shoppers and diners
The heart of Bucktown, Damen Avenue, is emerging as an upscale fashion and restaurant haven rivaling Lincoln Park. A sunny Saturday found the street teeming with svelte twentysomethings, well-appointed older shoppers and young moms and dads pushing strollers. Hidden gems abound.
(Keith Hale/Sun-Times)
A store crammed with too-cute baby and children's jeans, dresses, T-shirts, toys and games serves the needs of this booming young-family neighborhood. The joys of summer are apparent at the entrance, where little girls' bikinis and one-piece bathing suits ($46) stand out, and monkey-face-themed apparel predominates. A few impressive pieces of furniture dot the store, such as a $395 rocking chair made like a train by the Charm Co.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
This spacious store, outfitted with go-carts, a large stuffed-toy dinosaur and oversize baseball mitt chairs, bills its wares as "fashion for boys who play hard." Its clothing, including infant wear, includes plenty of T-shirts and jeans as well as cargo pants, Polo shirts and swim trunks.
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
Jennifer Strom Simonte has created a perfect fashion boutique for pregnant women, filled with designer tops, dresses and bottoms by the likes of Liz Lange, Citizens of Humanity and Diane von Furstenberg. There's even Miss Oops popper stoppers, paper-thin material with adhesive backing that women wear so their belly buttons don't stick out of form-fitting clothes.
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Be overwhelmed by a lot packed into a little space, including deli sandwiches made to order, custom-made boxed or bagged lunches, sliced deli meats and cheeses, mouth-watering cheesecake and cupcakes, and an array of imported cheeses mixed with Chicago originals Terry's Toffee and Frontera tortilla chips. A picnic table lets you eat in a small communal setting.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
Apartment Number 9
1804 N. Damen (773) 395-2999Men's dress shirts, jeans, ties and coats with New York and Los Angeles designer labels such as John Varvatos, Paul & Joe, and Left Field.
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Malabar
1880 N. Damen (773) 321-6685This South American gem has women's and men's wear. The boutique's unique two-story layout and local designer clothes and shoes set it apart. Notable designers include Orlando Espinoza, Nicolas Felizola and Tatiana DaSilva.
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Climate
1702 N. Damen (773) 862-7075A fun (if crowded) kitschy store with scented candles, unique gift ideas, gift-wrap, funny cards and a holiday section of knickknacks.
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
Crosell & Co.
1922 N. Damen (773) 252-9010A tastefully designed boutique of dinnerware, wedding or anniversary-gift glassware and unique serving trays and kitchenwear.
Hours: By appointment Monday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Yum -- how do I count the ways? Big steaming cups of hot chocolate are just the beginning in this funky loft space with two party spaces. The Market Scramble (scrambled eggs with spinach served steaming hot with toast) and the BLT washed down with a Bloody Mary were delectable. Nice array of eats ranging from brioche French Toast to smoked fish to pastries .
Hours: Brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Lunch, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Dinner: 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday-Wednesday; 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Thursday; 5:30 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday. Closed Monday.