Categories: Shopping

How to Shop: Antique Stores

Author: Wendy Wollenberg

Create your own antiques roadshow with a trip to Chicago. Whether your tastes lean toward mid-century Modern or you’re wild about the French Empire, Chicago’s array of antiques stores and malls will enthrall any avid treasure hunter.

A striking presence in Chicago’s River North art district, Jay Roberts Antique Warehouse stocks its three-story space with furniture and objets d’art from eras including Chippendale, French Empire, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. You could take an entire afternoon to browse through the vast selection of armoires, beds, desks, tables, seating, lighting and antique clocks.

Also located in River North is Rita Bucheit, Ltd., which carries museum-quality European furniture from the Empire, Biedermeier, Vienna Secession and Art Deco periods. Bucheit, who hails from Vienna, has sold antique furniture and objets d’art from this elegant showroom since 1987.

A well-known name in the Chicago antiques world, Richard Weisz owns and operates Antique Resources on the city’s famous antiques row. Antique Resources’ collection includes furniture from Europe and South America dating back to the early 17th century, as well as more than 400 chandeliers, clocks, oil paintings, sculpture and more.

A treasure hunter’s dream in the historic Fulton Market area, Jan’s Antiques offers 18,000 square feet of salvaged architectural items, furniture, lighting, vintage stained glass, artwork and accessories from the 1800s to the 1950s. Surprises abound in this sprawling warehouse space, such as drawers of old doorknobs, reclaimed bathroom sinks and stone carvings from demolished buildings.

Architectural Artifacts owner Stuart Grannen scours the planet to bring objects of interest to his breathtaking 80,000-square- foot space, which features an expansive showroom, a gracious atrium and the Museum of Historic Chicago Architecture (a separate entity to showcase artifacts from landmark Chicago buildings by such masters as Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright and William Purcell). Can’t-live-without-‘em finds include ceramics, furniture, garden furnishings, lighting, stained glass and tiles from the U.S., Europe and South America.

The bold and beautiful world of vintage posters comes alive at the Colletti Gallery, which showcases works from the 1890s Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau eras through the 1920s and ‘30s Art Deco and Modern periods by such masters as Toulouse-Lautrec, Mucha and Cheret. Also on hand are covetable decorative objects and furniture from the Biedermeier and Empire eras.

The Chicago Antique Centre is a mainstay of Chicago’s flourishing antiques scene. Offering jewelry, accessories and furniture from more than 30 dealers over two floors, the center gives a good introduction to the city’s varied antiques offerings.

The premiere destination for mid-century Modern pieces in the Midwest, the Broadway Antique is a 20,000-square-foot fun house located in a historic Art Deco building in Edgewater. It’s the perfect setting for the rare and sometimes kitschy selection, which features 20th-century furniture, lighting, art, glassware and home décor items from 75 dealers.

A mind-boggling furniture selection awaits at Lincoln Antique Mall, where eras include Victorian, Art Deco and mid-century Modern. Dealers display sterling silver, jewelry, art, mirrors, chandeliers and vintage clothing, as well.

Check out places of interest near How to Shop: Antique Stores:

Argo Tea
958 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

Argo Tea is a growing tea company that brings natural and tasty signature drinks to all those looking for healthy alternative beverages and lifestyle experience.

Bachrach
106 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

This 130-year-old menswear store places an emphasis on service and relationships. European designs are available in suburban Chicago.

 

Colletti Gallery
67 E. Oak St. #1E, Chicago, IL 60611

This Oak Street art gallery purveys a strong collection of antique posters and art-accompanying furniture.

House of Kahn Estate Jewelers
60 E. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60611

This Gold Coast jeweler trades in all types of high-end jewelry, from engagement rings to necklaces and antique jewelry. Visit their boutique studio set in one of the country's most densely populated shopping districts.

Rochester Big & Tall
840 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Premier clothing for the bigger, taller man is available at this iconic Mag Mile shop for those who don't always color inside the lines; they won't shoehorn you in at this shop!

Ruehl
5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Abercrombie up-and-coming brand casual wear designed for college students and young professionals.

 

Saks Fifth Avenue
700 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Situated on the Mag Mile and synonymous with high-end, department store shopping, Saks Fifth Avenue offers a wide range of mostly high-end, if not straight out luxury, items.

Saks Fifth Avenue Men's
717 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

This top-notch menswear store calved off from its big sister department store and offers a range of high quality men's products: apparel, shoes, men's jewelry, belts, and more.

Salvatore Ferragamo
645 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Italian shoes, handbags, ready-to-wear clothing and accessories are available at this retail location of a top Italian designer.

SEE Eyewear
835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Selective Eyewear Elements are the key at SEE, a shop dedicated to original and stylish sunglasses that are celebrity-worthy, but still affordable for anyone. Choose from any of their five locations in the Chicago area.

Spa Space
161 N. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60606

Specialists in massage therapy and skin care, this Chicago spa offers a wide range of services.

Chicago Antique Market
47 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60610

This indoor/outdoor urban antique market attracts bargain hunters of all kinds.