Akira Here, Akira There, Akira Everywhere!

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Killing time at the mall when you're outside of the city just got a whole lot easier.

Following last year's temporary outpost at Northbrook Court, Akira will be expanding into the suburbs yet again. A 7,000 square foot shop opened in Old Orchard Mall this past Tuesday, and by early November, they will expand into Schaumburg's Woodfield Mall. Another downtown women's store will also open around that time, on State Street's Block 37 with fellow tenants like Anthropologie and Zara.

Though the recession typically means shuttering doors rather than opening them, Akira's co-owner told Crain's Chicago Business that they've benefited from the economic downturn, as it made rents more affordable. The only thing not benefiting from their three new locations? Our wallets. Trying to visit the new locations without convincing ourselves we need a fourth pair of black ankle boots is going to be impossible.
· Clothing Retailer Akira Expands [Crain's Chicago Business]