Thrift Shop Roadtrip: CHICAGO, IL

Impossible for me to attend eBay Live without visiting a few thrift shops in the exotic port of call of Chicago. I ventured out with a colleague who lives in Chicago and works for folks literally on the Forbes wealthiest people in America list (names you know). This friend knew where THESE folks donate-amazing inside information. My idea of a good time!
Here goes:

1. WHITE ELEPHANT RESALE SHOP
2380 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL
773.883.6184
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

The White Elephant is a somewhat large and cavernous shop in hip Lincoln Park. While the clothing selection is solid, there seemed to be more in the way of housewares, collectibles, prints, furniture and books. I got the immediate sense that there was possibility for true treasure here, and I was correct. Prices vary widely, but there were still fabulous bargains. I left with a stunning European lace blouse, and a pristine silk Tommy Bahama camp shirt, each five dollars. Actually, everything in this store was in perfect condition. I do not know if it is just the caliber of donations, or if the staff vets what comes in, but there is a palpable difference in quality from most thrift shops. I also found a vintage Roper cowgirl western shirt, and a medium sized Herve Chapelier tote for three dollars each. My friend left with a pair of KILLER black suede ornate embroidered books reminiscent of Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan-twenty bucks, and a classic Hermes silk tie for $10.

I could really get lost in their large and very special book department. I wish I had room to travel home with the many coffee table sized Elvis books, or what seemed like a lifetime collection of Sotheby's auction catalogs. I could not pass up a beautiful book of gnome art, signed by the author. There was a room of very interesting small furniture pieces as well. This shop is a TEN, and worth a special trip when in Chicagoland. Proceeds benefit the Children's Memorial Hospital, as if you need a reason to feel any better about your treasures! PS We left with our booty in big Louis Vuitton shopping bags.

2. THE ARK THRIFT SHOP
3345 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
773-248-1117
Monday-Thurs 10-6, Friday 10-5 (summer) 10-2 (winter), Sunday 11-5

Another thrift shop known by my eBay Live friend to be a favorite of her employer is the Ark. It is too far down N. Lincoln Ave from the White Elephant to walk, so we grabbed a cab. This is a HUGE supersize store, with furniture and housewares on the ground floor, clothing, shoes and accessories upstairs. Lo and behold, we were greeted upon arrival with the news that the upper level was conducting a five dollar bag sale. Best news ever in the land of upscale junk! However, the downside was that we had about thirty minutes to explore what could easily been a full day affair. No matter. I attacked the shoes with gusto and promptly filled a bag with 10 pairs of Ferragamo and other fabulous designer shoes, including a pair of Zegna men's formal tuxedo shoes. I did a quick lap around the massive clothing floor, but decided I had more then I could possibly fit into my suitcase and decided my work was done for the day.

Upon paying, with the lights closing behind us, it occurred to me that I did not have my camera (notice there is no photo of The Ark). I begged to be let back upstairs to check if I put it down while arranging my shoes in the bag (packing a serious "bag day" bag is one of my superpowers). No luck. Please know that my camera is the core of my eBay empire. It is also somewhat sentimental, as I purchased it with the gift card given to me by my colleagues when I left my job at Hofstra Law School. It was also quite expensive. As I was leaving my contact information with the store manager with a heavy heart, the CAB DRIVER who had taken us from White Elephant came running in with my camera. What a wonderful guy. What an amazing random act of kindness which I will pay forward as soon as the opportunity presents itself. So, Instead of a photo of the Ark, here is Afiye Abdulle, the nicest, most honorable cab driver in Chicago!!




3. GOODWILL CHICAGO
Washington Street Store
1201 W. Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL
312-563-1187
Monday - Friday 9-9, Saturday 9-8, Sunday 10 -7

While this medium sized Goodwill was not on my friends "treasure map", we decided to check it out as it is open later then most other thrift shops. This store was neat as a pin. While it looks like a garden variety Goodwill, upon commencing digging, it was clear that it held an abundance of treasure. Mixed in with the usual goods were J. Crew brand new with all tags jeans, fabulous Escada jeans, and a number of pieces I recognized from anthropologie, including lux lux and Elevenses pants and blazers. My friend picked up a vintage Custo Barcelona top, and a killer Anne Fontaine blouse. While the suits were marked a pricey $50 and up, there were a plethora of crisp chinos from Brooks Brothers and Polo for three or four dollars. Ditto for beautiful button down mens shirts, fresh from the cleaners from Ralph Lauren, Faconnable, Armani and more. The closer I looked, the more treasures surfaced.

I absolutely loved everything about Chicago, including the small, but potent sample of fabulous thrift shops!

GREETINGS FROM ACROSS TIME & SPACE

Sorry about that.


Had some intervening, superseding happenings on this end. Hope to get back in the groove. I enjoyed writing about my passion of junking more then I expected.


Just back from my THIRD eBay Live in Chicago. While this was certainly the most subdued of the conferences (and could very well be the last of the lineage), it is one of the few gatherings where I feel that I am truly amongst my own kind!

I always find this conference to be extremely worthwhile. I was able to get much face time with eBay execs to ask questions and receive guidance specific to my two eBay accounts and stores (Electric-Estate-Sale for consignment goods, and Urban-Anthropology for my estate and thrift shop finds). However, eBay live is all about networking. I am always fascinated by the niches people have carved out-and how much there is to know about everything. This always excites the informationist in me.

I am anxious to slowly try to digest all that I learned to enhance this blog, and my entire eBay experience.

Exhibit A- I learned how to do THIS (I am not much of a techie so creation of a widget is a huge leap):