Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
Chicago's 38 best vintage shops each have a distinct personality. One Wicker Park shop carries dainty bridal dresses dating back to the nineteenth century; a West Town store has Spice Girls mini purses. There are Mad Men-style bar carts at some stores, and Parisian jewelry from the 1940s at others. But, as we rounded up these shops (some mobile, some brick-and-mortar), we noticed a common theme: so very many of these spots have shop dogs, and an overwhelming majority of them are dog-friendly. So if you like vintage finds, shopping with your pooch, or a little bit of both, this is the guide for you. As usual, the stores are arranged in a loose north-to-south order and represent our favorites in the market.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.
Yep, you're right: this place is a restaurant, not a shop. But! Owner Amy Morton recently began selling the vintage furnishings, paintings, and home accents that deck the inviting Evanston space. So while you savor that rhubarb-sambayon gelato sundae, you can pick out vintage items for your home. [Photo: via Facebook]
Shopping this store feels like going to a throwback bash. Owners Jules Breen and Suzanne Lazer love to play dress-up, and they play old-timey tunes as they don vintage hats. (Even the store dogs get dressed up.) Hidden in a strip mall, the store claims to stock "15,000 square feet costume jewelry—in a 1,200-square-foot store!" Items date back to the 1920s through the 1970s. [Photo: via Facebook]
Some 50 vintage dealers rent out a space within the Edgewater mall. Got some haggling skills? Customers can try to negotiate for a ten percent discount on items priced over $30. Items range from Mid-Century furniture to clothing and jewelry. [Photo: via Facebook]
This antiques department store in Edgewater has a huge selection of vintage jewelry alongside furniture and other items. It spans 20,000 square feet and occupies two floors. [Photo: via Facebook]
Stocking goods from local designers such as Shiri Daniella, this Andersonville shop also carries new, gently used, and vintage goods. In the latter category, look for Chanel brooches and clip-on earrings. Don't forget to pet the store mascot, Cali. [Photo: via Facebook]
Stocking clothing and accessories from the 1940s through the 1990s, this vintage shop stocks a huge selection of starter jackets and old-school sports jerseys. You'll also find vintage toys (think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Alf phone); the in-store pup goes by "JT Cool." [Photo: via Facebook]
With a new(ish) home in Thalia Hall, this Pilsen shop showcases wares from local artists—it also has coo-worthy Shop Dog. Its vintage selection focuses on Mid-Century furniture, and may include bar carts, a fold-up Danish desk, and a rattan ottoman. [Photo: via Facebook]
Store owner David Ginople is a former jewelry and handbag buyer for Bergdorf Goodman. He stocks his shop with pristine clothing, accessories, millinery, and kitchen goods from the 1930s through th3 1990s. The selection includes vintage and contemporary pieces from Yves Saint Laurent and Ungaro. [Photo: via Facebook]
Inside Home specializes in two distinct flavors of retro: the glitzy, 1930s Hollywood Regency style and the sleek and arty "Mad Men" look of Mid-Century mod. [Photo: via Facebook]
The prestigious auction house—which also has outposts in placesl ike Naples and New Orleans—has a popular collection of luxury accessories and vintage couture. This is not the place to come for a bargain, of course, but if you have $27,500 and a love for pink-ostrich-skin Birkin Bags, you may get lucky. (Sadly, the item shown has sold.) [Photo: via Leslie Hindman]
Owned by a former stylist for Aerosmith, Silver Moon stocks the city's largest selection of vintage bridal gear. There are also accessories that date back to the 1890s, and men's items including an old tail coat. [Photo: via Yelp]
In a Pilsen space that was previously an auto-parts store, Vintage Comet has sea-green walls and racks danging with jewel-hued garments. Items include home goods, furniture, accessories, and clothing for men and women. There's also a selection of vintage bathing suits. [Photo: via Facebook]
With the tagline "keepin' it weird," this shop doubles as an art gallery. Look for feathered headpieces, frog earrings, and vintage cat-eye sunglasses. [Photo: via Facebook]
"Oddities" does not begin to describe the, um, unusual nature of the items in this wild (and perhaps mildly creepy) shop. Items range from old apothecary jars to old dentures, doll heads, and Victorian mourning hair wreaths. The store also hosts taxidermy workshops. [Photo: via Facebook]
Held in a garage in Uptown, this pop-up flea market takes place on the third Sunday of every month, April through October. Featuring 75 to 100 vendors, the market has a different theme each time it opens. On July 20, expect a Rockabilly-and- Tiki-style atmosphere, with merchandise (and DJ tunes) to match. [Photo: via Facebook]
An online shop, this also has a showroom that's open Friday afternoons or by appointment. Viva Vintage has pillbox hats, 1950s cocktail dresses, and 1920s evening bags. [Photo: via Viva Vintage]
This Humboldt Park boutique specializes in vintage gear, but has a strict "no kitsch" policy. Look for clean, elegant women's fashion in neutral hues such as navy and taupe. [Photo: via Facebook]
Specializing in vintage items from the 1980s and 1990s, this spot stocks Spice Girls purses, skateboard knee pads, and color-blocked surf shirts from Ron Jon. Don't worry: there are neon board shorts as well. [Photo: via Facebook]
Items here include vintage Baja hoodies, cut-off denim shorts (there's even a pair of pink denim), and old military jackets. This is also the place to hit up if you're looking for latex leggings (new, of course.) The store has another location in Wicker Park. [Photo: via Ragstock]
Billed as a "modern vintage market happening here and there," this roving event pops up everywhere from the Aragon Ballroom to the German Cultural Center. It sells modern-vintage furniture, clothing, decor, jewelry, and more; it also offers a blog about selling vintage. The next market will take place September 6-7 at the Renegade Craft Fair in Wicker Park, along Division Street. (Please note: the address we have here is a spot along the upcoming craft fair's route—it's kinda hard to pinpoint an exact address for a roving market.) [Photo: via Facebook]
Initially a pop-up shop for high-end consignment, Luxury Garage Sale now has a pretty, brick-and-mortar store that stocks Chanel bags, Matthew Williamson skirts, and vintage baubles. [Photo: via Luxury Garage Sale]
This Chicago Avenue shop is open Wednesday through Sunday, and also has an Etsy shop. Selling vintage from several decades, the store currently has a '60s neon-pink baby-doll nightie, a candy-pink puff-shoulder blazer from the '80s, and a southwestern print bubble mini dress from the '90s. [Photo: via Facebook]
On the seventh floor of an Oak street building, this pristine showroom operates by appointment; it's also open to the public Tuesday through Saturday. It stocks vintage couture from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Marchesa, and Fendi. [Photo: Taylor Castle]
Vintage expert—and fabulous personality—Laurie Davis operates this Michigan Avenue shop. The store offers party dresses from the 1920s, chandelier earrings from the 1960s, and handbags from local designer Laudi Vidni. [Photo: via Lulu's on the Avenue]
Open since 2012, this East End Armitage shop stocks vintage trinkets for the home. Selections include a 1960s brass butterfly box and vintage ceramic-seashell ashtrays. [Photo: via Facebook]
New to Humboldt Park, this is a vintage menswear and gift shop. Find "swing ties" from the 1940s, patent formal shoes, and wide-brim fedoras. [Photo: via Richard's Fabulous Finds]
Specializing in bridal accessories with a Parisian flair, this charming shop has its share of sparkling vintage baubles. Also find veils, cake jewelry (yes! it exists), and macaron trinket boxes. [Photo: via Facebook]
Billed as "Vintage Modern Shop," this Humboldt Park store carries Mid-century furniture and showcases new works from local artists. It is, naturally, also dog-friendly (the shop's website lists "pitbull love" as one of its specialties.) [Photo: via Facebook]
Based in Chicago, this adorable mobile boutique carries 1950s prom dresses, 1960s "tinsel" dresses, vintage cowboy boots, and more. Catch the ladies at the After Hours on Chicago Avenue Shopping Festival on July 25; there's also an online shop. [Photo: via Facebook]
Specializing in "tableware that tells a story, this winsome shop carries vintage and estate silver, restaurant china, and found objects from international flea markets. [Photo: via P.O.S.H.]
The jewel-box-size shop in West Town sells mint-condition vintage. There are also made-in-Chicago accessories and apothecary items, and in-store events come with fun twists like tarot card readers and mixology cocktails. [Photo: via Dovetail]
Owned by friends and self-described "diehard vintage hounds," Seek stocks Pyrex baking dishes from the 1950s, Halston evening gowns from the 1970s, and an assortment of curiosities for the home. [Photo: via Seek]
Known as America's largest urban antique market, this takes place indoors from October through April; it moves outdoors from May to September. An average shopping experience includes 250 vendors from all across the country, selling everything from vintage and antique goods to fancy foods and wares from independent designers. There are also entertaining extras ranging from a vintage carnival to (around Valentine's Day) a nude sketch parlor. [Photo: via Facebook]
Initially a store for vintage clothing and accessories for men and women, this Wicker Park shop now stocks contemporary brands, lifestyle products, and household goods as well. Look for Hidden Folk's Ying Ylang Body Tonic, Smashing Pumpkin tees, and more. [Photo: via Facebook]
Open in Pilsen since 2008, Knee Deep carries men's and women's vintage clothing, as well as bags, shoes, jewelry, and more. For you night owls, there's a midnight sale every second Friday of the month that runs from 6 p.m. to the witching hour; the next one is scheduled for July 11. [Photo: via Facebook]
This subterranean, 3,500-square-foot shop stocks specializes in vintage costume jewelry. You'll also find clothing, accessories, purses, hats, and some prime steampunk pieces. [Photo: via Facebook]
The vintage boutique stocks women's dresses, blouses, and accessories from Dethrose Vintage. For men, there are tweed blazers and button-up tops from Pendleton. A handmade jewelry line called Clyde's Rebirth features designs made out of vintage and reclaimed goods, and on Fridays and Saturdays designer Merl Kinzie crafts custom baubles for guests as they shop. The boutique has a little barber shop in back, where co-owner Mike Ader (who's also the men's buyer) spiffs up shoppers with classic haircuts and beard-and-mustache trims. [Photo: via Market Supply Co.]
This West Town shop carries men's and women's clothing, boots, housewares, and more. You may find flower glasses from the 1960s, printed vintage dresses, or cowboy mugs. [Photo: via Facebook]
Yep, you're right: this place is a restaurant, not a shop. But! Owner Amy Morton recently began selling the vintage furnishings, paintings, and home accents that deck the inviting Evanston space. So while you savor that rhubarb-sambayon gelato sundae, you can pick out vintage items for your home. [Photo: via Facebook]
Shopping this store feels like going to a throwback bash. Owners Jules Breen and Suzanne Lazer love to play dress-up, and they play old-timey tunes as they don vintage hats. (Even the store dogs get dressed up.) Hidden in a strip mall, the store claims to stock "15,000 square feet costume jewelry—in a 1,200-square-foot store!" Items date back to the 1920s through the 1970s. [Photo: via Facebook]
Some 50 vintage dealers rent out a space within the Edgewater mall. Got some haggling skills? Customers can try to negotiate for a ten percent discount on items priced over $30. Items range from Mid-Century furniture to clothing and jewelry. [Photo: via Facebook]
This antiques department store in Edgewater has a huge selection of vintage jewelry alongside furniture and other items. It spans 20,000 square feet and occupies two floors. [Photo: via Facebook]
Loading comments...