Catching Up With Chicago's Only Local Shopping Walking Tour

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Last Summer, a new walking tour company named Shop Around Chicago was launched and is now providing personalized shopping tours in three neighborhoods; Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Wicker Park. The service is being billed as the guide to the "haute-est" shops in Chicago which also is an opportunity for people too busy to learn about each of the shops' history and the products they carry.

Speaking with owner Sean Krista today, as her business partner Shontelle Watson coordinates a conference call in another room, we learn that the business is steadily growing. Sean is out shopping on the streets three days a week with a stylist and about eight people on each tour. The current schedule is Wicker Park on Wednesday, Gold Coast on Thursday and Sundays in Lincoln Park. "Shopping during the week is our answer to avoiding the thousands of people during the weekend--except for Lincoln Park, that neighborhood is gorgeous on Sunday afternoons."

Sean says her company has branched out to shopping parties and is looking forward to wedding season, when Chicago brides have their friends and bridesmaids in town. As far as expanding the tour to more neighborhoods, though, Sean seems unsure suggesting Bronzeville and Pilsen, which we can totally see happening.
· Shop Around Chicago [Official Site]
· A Walking Company Soon Exists. Would You Use It? [Racked]