All we want for Christmas is to see small businesses thrive. With the Sixtysix office—er, home office—in Chicago, we compiled a list of some of our favorite local shops and stops around the corner.
From books to beer and fashion to flowers, we hope you’ll join us in shopping small and supporting local stores on Small Business Saturday 2020 and throughout the holiday season.
Beermiscuous has more than 400 bottles and cans from craft breweries around Chicago. Photo courtesy of Beermiscuous
Beermiscuous
2812 North Lincoln Avenue
One thing easing the pain of this trying year: beer. And with 400 brews from more than 60 local breweries, Beermiscuous is your one-stop-shop for the best combinations of hops and grain around. Whether you like it hoppy, malty, sour, light, or dark, this craft beer cafe has a libation for every palate, and beers are sold by the can, so no need to commit to a full four-pack of a raspberry sour if you’re not feeling that adventurous.
beermiscuous.com
CH Distillery
564 West Randolph Street
Not into beer? Try vodka from CH Distillery instead. Named for Chicago and the fundamental compounds in alcohol, carbon and hydrogen, the spirits-maker calls itself the hometown beverage for good reason: It makes the only organic vodka made from Illinois grain on the market. Dive into a distillery tour and try “The Tradition,” a shot of CH Vodka with rye bread and pickles.
chdistillery.com
Flowers for Dreams offers virtual wreath-making workshops and ships bouquets and more all over the midwest. Photo courtesy of Flowers for Dreams
Flowers for Dreams
1812 West Hubbard Street
Sign your mom up for a virtual wreath workshop, send a holiday bouquet, or order your own monthly flower delivery; we won’t judge. Flower for Dreams is hands-down the best around, with flowers sourced from local farms and markets. Every bouquet benefits a different local charity each month. This November 25% of net profits goes to the Center on Halsted, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community center. Now delivering to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
flowersfordreams.com
Humboldt House, Chicago. Photo courtesy of Humboldt House
Humboldt House
1045 North California Avenue
This queer-owned shop in Chicago’s eclectic Humboldt Park neighborhood is filled with all of the gifts feminists could want—for a friend or themselves. Want a ceramic cup that says fuuuuck? Or maybe a “boobiful blanket” that is quite literally covered in boobs? Shoppers get 20% off purchases made through Monday.
humboldthouseco.com
Jugrnaut Chicago
427 South Dearborn Street
Known for its home-grown streetwear apparel since 2007, Jugrnaut Chicago is the epitome of contemporary fashion, hip-hop, music, and culture. Carrying brands like stussy, Kappa, and Champion, it’s the go-to spot for anyone looking to step up their style.
jugrnaut.com
Last Lap Cornerstore
332 East 51st Street
Making its debut during the pandemic, Last Lap Cornerstore is the only running store on the South Side. Founder, runner, and South Side resident Ian Gonzalez opened the shop to fill the geographic and cultural gap—the South Side of Chicago is predominantly Black—left for people who live in the area and enjoy pounding the pavement. Nestled inside half of a 40-foot shipping container, the 180 square-foot Bronzeville store has got you covered on the run—literally—for all types of running gear, from shoes to supplements.
lastlapcornerstore.co
Other than vintage clothes, Lost Girls Vintage also sells candles and other small home decor objects. Photo courtesy of Lost Girls Vintage
Lost Girls Vintage
1947 West Chicago Avenue and 2710 North Sawyer Avenue
Lost Girls Vintage is all about fashion sustainability. Voted the best vintage shop in the city, this women- and minority-owned shop started out as a vintage pop-up shop in a 1976 Dodge Sportsman named Winnie and has since grown to two locations in West Town and Logan Square. Specializing in clothes from the 1930s through the 1990s, Lost Girls Vintage is all about living fearlessly and confidently—as owners Sarah Azzouzi and Kyla Embrey say, “No risk, no reward!”
lostgirlschicago.com
Semicolon Bookstore
515 North Halsted Street
Cozy up in your favorite reading place with a good book from Semicolon. The only Black-owned bookstore in the city—and woman-owned, too!—this community-oriented bookshop offers a wide range of culturally diverse books while also running Parenthesis, a literacy-focused nonprofit that gives books and donations to Chicago Public Schools.
semicolonchi.com
Photo courtesy of South Loop Loft
South Loop Loft
685 North Milwaukee Avenue
This shop is full of rare and one-of-a-kind furnishings and decor that owner Beth Berke curates from around the world. Is this a furniture store or gallery? We can’t be sure, but every piece is a work of art whether it’s vintage or new, and there’s no place in the Midwest that compares. If you can’t visit the showroom, check out the store’s Instagram Story for a virtual sales Friday and Saturday.
thesouthlooploft.com
Tone Deaf Records, Chicago. Photo courtesy of Tone Deaf Records
Tone Deaf Records
4356 North Milwaukee Avenue
This Portage Park store opened its doors in 2019 and quickly became a staple in the neighborhood. Order your copies of limited releases like Lou Reed, Aimee Mann, Jarvis Cocker, Elliott Smith, and many more for pickup or delivery. Ask about their new handmade, music-inspired greeting card selection to benefit Save the Stages.
