Travel Brief
Monos opens first Chicago storefront and cafe in West Loop
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Monos luggage. Photo: Moyo Adeolu/Axios
Monos is now open in Chicago's West Loop, one of the Canadian luggage brand's first U.S. stores.
The big picture: Launched in 2018, Monos is aiming to curate new experiences for customers through shopping and hospitality. The brand's name comes from the Japanese phrase "mono no aware," the concept of finding and appreciating beauty in life's fleeting moments.
Driving the news: Monos opened last week at 170 N. Morgan St., making it the third location in the states behind Boston and Los Angeles.
- Open 11am-7pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sunday.
State of play: With the Chicago store, the lifestyle brand expands beyond retail with Postcard, a café that serves as a third space in the store.
- The café serves drinks and snacks from Metric, Rare Tea Cellar and Publican Quality Bread, with options like butter croissants, cappuccinos, matcha and tea. Prices range from $5-$19.
- Monos is also working on getting its liquor license to have the option to serve cocktails.
What they're saying: "You can only sell so many products to people. You don't need another carry-on if you have one, but you can definitely enjoy a coffee with friends or enjoy alone time in a third space," co-founder and CEO Victor Tam told Axios.
- "We really see our brand as a multi-ecosystem, to have product retail and hospitality," Tam said.
The vibe: Bags come in a variety of sizes, finishes and colors, including olive green, ocean blue, terracotta and rose quartz. Prices range from $15-$1,080.
- Their carry-on ($275) is a popular option featuring a polycarbonate shell, TSA-accepted lock, several compartments and 360° spinner wheels.
🗯️ My thought bubble: I made my first Monos purchase around 2022 when I was desperately searching for a practical, durable, yet chic carry-on.
- I would have loved to test out my luggage before purchasing it online. Postcard gives a hotel-lobby vibe and is the kind of place you'd meet someone new for a drink.
