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Speciality Shops in Chicago

THE 10 BEST Chicago Gift & Speciality Shops

Gift & Speciality Shops in Chicago

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What travellers are saying

  • Taylor B
    Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
    Influencing the paperweight art form
    My wife and I recently purchased a fine glass antique paperweight from L.H. Selman Ltd. in Chicago to serve as a centerpiece for our extensive Civil War collection of rare and first-edition books, manuscripts, autographs, paintings and artifacts. Until we visited the Selman gallery and museum at 410 South Michigan Avenue, in the historic Fine Arts Building, overlooking Millennium Park and Grant Park and the nearby Art Institute of Chicago, we didn't have any knowledge about paperweights. In less than two hours, we received a thorough education. Selman is a name that has been synonymous with the finest antique and contemporary paperweights for over 40 years. It is the premier dealer in fine art glass paperweights in the United States and its mission is to promote the very best by exhibiting and selling through its gallery and at auction the finest examples made in past centuries and by nurturing new talent emerging from independent studios. It's a fascinating adventure, viewing the largest collection of antique and contemporary paperweights in the world. After it's over, you understand that a paperweight isn't a simple desk accessory. The origin of glass paperweights can be traced to France in 1845, when glass factories such as Baccarat, Saint Louis and Clichy were competing to create the world's finest crystal luxury items, including water sets, tableware and inkwells, then paperweights. Collectors range from kings and American presidents to writers and investors to Truman Capote and Arthur Rubloff. L.H. Selman was introduced to paperweights in the mid-1960s. He began collecting them, started a small mail order business, created a publishing company to distribute information about paperweights, then founded the International Paperweight Society and Museum on South Michigan Avenue. In 2001, he was named "one of the Top Ten People of the 20th Century" to influence the paperweight art form. In 2009, he sold his business to Mitch and Ben Clark. They picked up the torch--or the paperweight--and the Chicago art scene remains in sterling condition.
    Review of: The Glass Gallery
    Written 14 December 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jnkol*99
    Bettendorf, IA97 contributions
    Fun Visit
    Stopped at the salon first for my daughters to get their hair done. Then went over to the cafe for lunch. Honestly wasn’t expecting a great meal but was definitely surprised as the food and overall experience was really done well!

    My girls got the glitter bombs and those were fun!

    Would definitely come back for lunch again! Highly recommend if you have young girls!!
    Review of: American Girl Place Chicago
    Written 12 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • The Happy Traveler
    Chicago, IL655 contributions
    Fun shops to explore while visiting Chinatown (2 blocks over)
    There’s Chinatown Main Street then there’s Chinatown Square that’s 2 blocks over and is equally interesting with many shops and eateries. We really enjoyed walking to see special monuments and Chinese shapes built into the walkways. While you’re visiting try venturing over there and taking the culture in!
    Review of: Chinatown Square
    Written 7 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PBC7
    Dubuque, IA108 contributions
    Super Cool Place
    They have things nobody else has. It is an old school building, three floors of top to bottom antiques. They have collections of things from Europe as well as the US. May be a bit on the pricey side but so fun to look at. Don't miss this place.
    Review of: Architectural Artifacts, Inc.
    Written 20 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Taylor B
    Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
    There isn't any chocolate tastier than Fannie May
    Have you ever tasted a dark chocolate may from Fannie May? Or a milk chocolate pixie? Or a strawberry buttercream? Or a raspberry buttercream? Ever since I became a resident of downtown Chicago in the 1970s, ever since I discovered Fannie May chocolates, I have been purchasing one-pound boxes on a regular basis. At one time, there were three Fannie May locations in the downtown area. Now there is only one, at 343 North Michigan Avenue, at Wacker Drive, across from the Michigan Avenue bridge that spans the Chicago River, in the shadow of the Wrigley Building. Arlene, a longtime employee, sees me coming and begins to prepare my standard order even before I have time to change my mind. Why change? There isn't any chocolate tastier than Fannie May, which has been in business since the 1920s. My standard order, once every five weeks, is three one-pound boxes of dark chocolate mays (for my wife, who consumes three or four a day) and a one-pound box of assorted chocolates of my choosing. Love the pixies, buttercreams, Trinidads and caramels. The pixies, both milk chocolate and dark chocolate, are the company's leading seller. And I can understand why, a smooth blend of nuts and caramel and chocolate.
    Review of: Fannie May
    Written 17 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • M N
    1 contribution
    A beautiful and unique wedding space!
    We got married at Salvage One on July 2nd 2022. It’s an absolutely beautiful and unique venue, and we got lucky with weather good enough to have our ceremony in their outdoor courtyard. They were generally flexible with us throughout two covid postponements as we were supposed to get married in 2020, then 2021, and finally 2022. One thing to be aware of is there is a company directly next door to the venue that rents their parking lot out for outdoor events, and we found out one week before our wedding date that they were planning to host an EDM concert with up to 1,000 people in attendance. Not exactly the news you want to hear that close to the wedding date, but we understand it’s not a normal occurrence for them, and typically their outdoor events are not that large or loud. In the end it wasn’t as bad as it could have been - the outdoor courtyard was shielded enough for us to still have our ceremony outside, and other than some windows rattling during the father of the bride speech, and having to find a last minute valet (which was very costly) it could have been worse. While we were hoping the venue would have been more flexible in working with us a bit more on this, they did end up helping to cover a small portion of the valet fee. We had hoped with the last minute issue coming up and all that we had on our plate in the final week, they could have done more in helping us secure a valet. One last note, we found out after the wedding that the front door was locked for a time during the ceremony while the mother of the bride was running to her car, and she was unable to get back into the venue for about a half hour, causing her to miss the first dance. Highly suggest either ensuring that the door does not get locked, or that a sign gets put up so that late guests have a way to enter if the door is locked. Overall, we are still happy we chose Salvage One. We had a few things happen that were less than ideal, but in the end we had a great wedding and reception and have some great pictures in this unique venue.
    Review of: Salvage One
    Written 11 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TheArdentTraveler
    Pittsburgh, PA239 contributions
    ToysR Us For Adults!
    I live in the state with the dumbest, most restrictive liquor sales in the nation ( well, except for maybe Utah). I was like a kid in the proverbial candy store here - liquor, wine and beer as far as the eye could see, excellent prices. Saw some Irish whiskeys I’ve never seen before.
    Review of: Binny's Beverage Depot
    Written 16 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lucyP6401XI
    Minneapolis, MN2 contributions
    Wonderful place
    I live in Chicago and buy from the all the time. When the pandemic was at its worse, I bought online.

    Their products are great, they are lovely folks and their stores smell fantastic. I used to frequent their store in downtown Chicago, which sadly closed during the pandemic.

    But if you get a chance to go to the northside store, go. I've never been to that one, but I'm sure it's great like their other store.

    They're just so wonderful.
    Review of: Merz Apothecary
    Written 29 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brian L
    6 contributions
    A 5-Star Boutique Retail Experience
    A genuinely unique and creative boutique shopping experience. Always a curiosity with good surprises.
    Review of: P.O.S.H
    Written 17 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Issa Maalouf
    Caldwell, ID3,176 contributions
    Excellent!
    Very nice ice cream parlor ! I love their chocolate and ice cream! I’ve been there twice in July 2023 during my visit to Chicago! We had sea salt caramel ice cream, chocolate, cookie dough, chocolate mint and others … they were all so delicious! It’s my favorite ice cream parlor and I’ll go back again and again! It’s highly recommended!!!
    Review of: Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop
    Written 26 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • RonL40
    Utica, NY3,542 contributions
    Great bookstore, very fair prices
    The first bookstore we visited in Chicago. Great store, impeccably displayed books with very fair prices. Huge literature section lead to several books we've been looking for more than a while. A definite stop for any bookie who likes to browse for their treasures.
    Review of: Powell's Books Chicago
    Written 27 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lawrence J
    Chicago, IL2 contributions
    Charming Independent Store
    Sandmeyer's is a charming independent local bookstore. The owners are tremendously knowledgeable and helpful to customers no matter how nuanced or obscure the request. Definitely worth stopping by on any visit to the South Loop!
    Review of: Sandmeyer’s Bookstore
    Written 11 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Icdeadpeople
    1 contribution
    Fantastic
    The customer service was probably the best I've ever experience, anywhere. Douglas was an absolute gentleman and scholar with his knowledge and kindness "rolled into one smooth blend". Also, the relaxation of their leather lounge room was impeccable and absolutely added to the atmosphere. I would recommend this to everyone that enjoys smoking cigars and pipes alike. Double thumbs up
    Review of: Iwan Reis Cigars & Tobacco
    Written 4 September 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • billpalmer
    2 contributions
    One of the oldest magic shops in the US, now in a new location.
    If you are a magician, you need to visit this shop at least once during your lifetime. You never know what famous performer you are likely to run into.
    Review of: Magic, Inc.
    Written 8 December 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dave B
    New Hampshire55 contributions
    Tons of stuff!
    A great selection of new and used albums, CDs and DVDs. I stopped in to pick up a few albums and ended up with seven I couldn't live without... I asked about shipping and was talked out of it since they said they hadn't really ramped up that part of their business yet since all the shortages. It wasn't a huge deal, but would have been nice. Still, worth the visit and could have bought more if I hung around longer.
    Review of: Reckless Records
    Written 25 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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