The Friendly Greeter Will Take You Off the Beaten Retail Path

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Anyone who travels to Chicago will probably be enamored of the Mag Mile's shopping, and with good reason—it's a flashy, impressive stretch where high-end and high street can peacefully coexist. But the truth is, there's so much more to Chicago's retail scene, things most tourists would never expect to find.

The Friendly Greeter is here to change that. The one-man operation is helmed by Sawyer Lahr, who refers to his services as "boutique destination management."

Lahl opens tourists' eyes to to the gems in Chicago that don't shine as obviously as the typical tourist destinations do, from neighborhoods to eateries. But what we're interested in is Lahl's shopping services: He'll take tourists down the streets of neighborhoods like Lakeview, Andersonville and Wicker Park. He'll expose boutiques and thrift stores, places that sell things that can only be found in Chicago. And once tourists have loaded up on local goods, he'll return them to their hotels.

While the service may seem prime for out-of-towners, the truth is, locals could also benefit from a consultation with Sawyer. After all, it's easy to keep your retail adventures within the neighborhood you live, and the truth is, there' so much more out there. We want to hear from you—what are some of your favorite under-the-radar shopping spots in the city? Tell us in the comments.
· The Friendly Greeter [Official Site]