Aritzia and Silver Room among latest store openings
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Silver Room Design Lab at 900 North Michigan shops. Photo: Moyo Adeolu /Axios
The Chicago area's retail landscape is improving with fewer vacant spots as new construction slows in the city and the suburban market pops.
The big picture: Retail vacancy is declining and hit a six-year low in mid-2024, commercial real estate firm Marcus and Millichap reported.
- There's growth in the big suburbs like Naperville, Schaumburg and Aurora, but also more openings at the Oakbrook Center and Old Orchard.
Dig in: Some new openings, announcements and relocations in the region:
Silver Room Design Lab: The Chicago institution that's part store, part art gallery, part events space has expanded beyond its Hyde Park location to a new spot at 900 North Michigan Shops.
- Owner Eric Williams is known for selling the work of great local designers and curating the store to feature one-of-a-kind, Chicago-centric gifts.
- Take a peek at the new location.
👗 More in the Gold Coast: Spanish luxury clothing and home accessories designer Loewe has opened its first Chicago location on Oak Street.
- On: The Swiss-engineered running shoe and activewear brand beloved by Zendaya opened last in October on Rush Street.
🏃🏽♀️ Also in activewear: British brand Sweaty Betty is extending past department stores and now has its own spot at 3530 N. Southport.
The Mag Mile continues to regain its pre-pandemic footing as Aritiza opened its flagship store Saturday in the former Gap space at Michigan and Ohio.
📱 The Midwest's first Google store to buy and troubleshoot Google products is now open at Oakbrook Center. Other openings at the suburban mall include:
- Bedding brand Boll & Branch and jewelry store Rowan.
- A new Swatch watch store opened this fall which should excite Gen Xers.
Gurnee Mills outlet mall north of Waukegan has added the resale story Reclectic and Hey Dude shoes.
🛋️ Not your Dad's old recliner: La-Z Boy has built out the brand with a new store in Lincoln Park, with designs that fall under new themes like "Urban Modern," "La-Z-Girl," and "Gamer."
📚 Passages Wine and Books is part of the way there with its new store in West Town. The book side is up and running, but the owner is awaiting licensing for the wine sales.
- A little west in Ukrainian Village, longtime gift shop Komoda moved to a new spot at 2448 W. Chicago Ave.
🧶 The Dropped Stitch yarn store opened mid-November in Andersonville. The owner used some of her winnings from Jeopardy! to help fund the store, Block Club reported.
Email us at [email protected] with details about any spots that have opened in your area and we'll include them in the next roundup!