Barnes and Noble, Baggu and more new store openings in Chicago
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The new Baggu store in Wicker Park. Photo: Moyo Adeolu/Axios
We regularly tell you what's closing in the city and suburbs, but local businesses — and national chains — are popping up each day.
Why it matters: New chain stores and small businesses opening in downtown Chicago, the neighborhoods and suburbs are a sign of a strong retail economy, especially after many prognosticators said downtown's demise was near after the pandemic changed in-person shopping.
Here are a few new openings:
Bagg-me? No, Baggu: The popular store branched out from the coasts and opened in Wicker Park last week, selling casual bags and accessories.
- If you go: 1639 N Damen Ave.
The '90s are back and so is Barnes and Noble: The national bookstore chain opened Wednesday at the former bank turned Walgreens in Wicker Park.
- If you go: 1601 North Milwaukee Ave.
- Local shops in the neighborhood are also offering discounts this week to remind book lovers they're still there.
Speaking of shopping local: Evanston bookstore Bookends & Beginnings has opened a separate location to sell used books called Middles Used Books.
- If you go: 1630 Orrington Ave.
- Alice and Wonder, another locally owned shop that sells clothes and fun home accessories, added a new location at 611 N. State St.
Running on clouds is how On describes its running shoes. The activewear company opened its flagship Chicago store in Gold Coast earlier this month.
- If you go: 1043 N. Rush St.
Michigan Avenue moves: H&M moved a few blocks south from its longtime location across from Water Tower, right next to the new activewear store Alo. Spanish fast fashion brand Mango is also expected to open on the Mag Mile, CoStar reported.
- Plus, temporary stores like PopMart are filling vacant storefronts.
- If you go: H&M is now at 679 N. Michigan Ave.
Just in time for Christmas: Toys R Us has opened its first store in Chicago since filing for bankruptcy in 2018. Rather than a large standalone location, this store is in the Harlem Irving Plaza in Norridge.
- If you go: 4104 N. Harlem Ave.
Zoom out: If we're missing a recent opening in your neighborhood, email us and we'll aim to include it in our next roundup.