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I, along with most other Chicago area people are "bummed Out" about Marshall Fields losing its identity. Because they were bought out this year [2005], in less than one year this fine old department store will be renamed Macy's. Macy's belongs to New York, and Marshall Field belongs to Chicago. It will never be the same!
I remember well the first time that I walked into Marshall Field and Co. on State Street. I was 20 years old and with my mother-in-law to be. We took the South Shore to Chicago from Munster, Indiana so that she and I could register for my wedding gifts. This was in 1962!
Fields is known for the Great Clock outside on the street (as shown in the photo), a Tiffany mosaic dome, and eight floors filled with merchandise.
At that time, Fields was THE PLACE to shop. The people who worked there had worked there most of their lives and knew the merchandise frontwards and backwards.
Today, Fields is still a great place to shop, but it has lost its leading edge. It's perhaps too conservative for the 2004 crowd.
Recently, it was completely renovated, and I was there about one month (July, 2004) ago, and it was difficult to see much improvement. It is so understated that it seems the same as before.
Fields has women, men, and children's clothing, (sportswear, formalwear, better dresses, intimate wear, purses, shoes, home goods) and is still famous for the stately Walnut Room Restaurant. It is also still famous for the memorable window displays at Christmas.
Fields was recently sold by Target.
Hopefully, drastic changes will not take place. Oh, how naive I was to think that things would not change! Leave a Comment Theme: Department StoreAddress: 111North State Street, Chicago also WaterTower Pl.Phone: 1-312-781-1000
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"Get out of your train & drive up Michigan Avenue! I defy you not to respond to the excitement in the air, not to throw your hat to the sky & shout 'Beautiful, how beautiful!' How beautiful it is as you whirl northward past the Tribune Tower."
Mary Borden, novelist, 1930s
Water Tower Place is named after the 154-foot-tall Water Tower that was built in 1869 & is to the southwest across Michigan Avenue. It was the first of three large indoor malls built near the Water Tower; the other two are 900 North Michigan & Chicago Place.
In order to build Water Tower Place, the 12-story Pearson Hotel was demolished. Construction workers discovered an underground stream on the site & had to delay foundation work for several weeks. Finally, the water was plugged by building a giant concrete dome under the building!
It was constructed in 1976 & has 74 floors, & at the time it was completed, it had enough shopping space to contain all existing stores on Michigan Ave from the river to Oak Street!
The shopping mall itself is centered around an 8-story terraced atrium & three bundled hexagonal glass tube elevators. I remember these elevators very well...when our daughter Jill was f4, the doors of the elevator opened, & she ran on, & before we could get on too, the elevator took off. We had always told her to find an adult in authority if she ever got lost. She found a security policeman, & Allan & I were paged to come to get her. Wwere we ever relieved!
The main entrance to the mall is a 2-story set of escalators with a waterfallbetween them. There is also a winding staircase at the sides.
The podium contains a shopping mall that is anchored by 2 department stores: Marshall Field & Co. and Lord & Taylor. The attached tower houses a Ritz Carlton Hotel, offices, & condominiums.
There are several places to eat:
Ritz-Carlton Dining Room
Marketplace at Marshall Field's
The Greenhouse
The Ritz Carlton Cafe
California Pizza Kitchen
In addition, the Water Tower Movie Theatres are also located here.
Besides the two huge department stores, there are about 100 other stores. Whatever you are looking for, you can no doubt find it at the Water Tower Place.
This is an upscale shopping Mall, so items are quality and therefore expensive. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherAddress: 845 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611Directions: Located on Michigan Avenue in the section known as the Magnificent Mile on the Near North Side.
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I don't know about you, but I always love to visit new bookstores when I travel, especially independently owned bookstores. For those of you who also enjoy independent bookstores, I've compiled a list that I have used. Hope it helps.
1. Barbara's Bookstores
a. 111 North State Street(at Marshall Field's)
b. 1218 South Halsted Street (at University of Illinois Chicago)
c. 1100 Lake Street (Oak Park)
d. 233 South Wacker Drive (Sears Tower-Lower, Level 1)
e. 201 East Huron (Northwestern Hospital)
2. Powell's Bookstores
a. 828 South Wabash Avenue(Burnham Park) [Near Hilton Chicago in South loop. This is more of a retail warehouse with just about everything you'd want]
b. 1501 East 57th Street (Hyde Park) [In University of Chicago neighborhood and thus quite scholarly. Located near the Museum of Science and Industry]
c. 2850 N. Lincoln Avenue (North/Lakeview)[strong in Art, Architecture, and Photography, rare books, children's section, lots of fiction, and a coffee bar]
I use "c" the most because it specializes in used, rare, and discounted books. This is a rather academic bookstore.
3. Women & Children First (Andersonville)
5233 North Clark
Don't be misled by the name. You don't have to be a kid or a woman to enjoy this fantastic bookstore. It's ranked among the country's finest bookstores. It's quite large [30,000 books in stock]. The staff is just wonderful and willing to help in any way possible. They really back Chicago area writers, and they schedule many interesting events, readings, and signings.
4. Booklegger's
2935 North Broadway
Books, Cds, videos, books on tape and any other book-related items. They offer philosophy, literary classics, and contemporary fiction as well as coffee table books. They also buy used books.
5.Bookworks
3444 North Clark
This store has parking available behind the shop. They buy CDs, LPs, and Ephemera.
This is really a BARGAIN BOOKSTORE. They sell new and used books and CDs, cassette tapes, vintage photographs, etc. They also have first-edition, fine bindings and hard-to-locate books.
"Beat Poet" fans will love it here. Most things are at least 10% off list price.
6.Bookman's Corner
2959 North Clark
They have reasonable prices; thus, they have been a favorite in the neighborhood since 1975. Books are everywhere. On skyhigh shelves, stacked on the floor, and anywhere else they can be secured. Unfortunatedly, it takes you longer to find books here because they are grouped by category rather than title. At times, you find a box outside the store advertising, FREE.
7.After Words Books
23 East Illinois Street
This is a downtown Chicago bookseller that is independent and they focus on service. They will order whatever you need. They also sell used books. [lower level] They offer Internet access for an hourly rate. If you sign up for their birthday program, you get a $5.00 coupon on the month of your birthday!
It's a comfortable place; a place to relax, to browse, and to sit down and read.
It's located next door to the Jazz Record Mart.
8. Sandmeyer's Bookstore
714 South Dearborn Street
This is a family-owned and operated store located in Printer's Row. It has the greatest travel section, and I love the children's section, too.
The price depends on the specific store you select. Leave a Comment Theme: BooksAddress: See Text
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I'm not the world's best person at directions so I was looking for a compact map of Chicago. I found an excellent one in a shop on Michigan Avenue near Millennium Park that is called ACCENT CHICAGO. It's a contemporary-looking store that is neatly arranged and jam-packed with items pertinent to Chicago.
They have other stores in the city or near the city such as Water Tower Place, John Hancock Center, Sears Tower, Chicago Hilton & Towers, Music Mart, Chicago Place.
In the suburbs, there are Accent Chicago stores in Woodfield Mall and Yorktown Mall.
They have great T-shirts and sweatshirts pertaining to Chicago and Chicago Sport Teams. In addition, they have pens, pencils, pads of paper, stationery, maps, books, "trinkets", collectibles, and almost anything else with a Chicago logo on it.
I purchased maps and post cards.
It's a great store for tourist because it is not overly expensive.
Items range from forty cents to one hundred dollars or so. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPhone: 1-312-941-9155Directions: On the west side of Michigan Avenue near Millennium Park.
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Allan and I have been visiting this Swedish Bakery for years. Just don't go on Saturdays [it is a "madhouse"].
Mickey and I visited the Swedish Bakery on August 13, 2007, so I could introduce her to this fabulous place. Of course I ordered my famous pecan/chocolate dipped cookies. I'm eating one right now as I type this!
The best cookies ever can be purchased here. They are small pecan shells dipped partially in chocolate. I purchase one dozen and have one or two a day, and they last a long, long time.
We also love the Limpa Break, either Stockholm Limpa or Vort Limpa at Christmas
Regulars call in their orders, and when they enter, they take a number and are waited on by a different set of people. Others, also take a number and wait to be called. They do not hurry you no matter how busy they seem to be [and, believe me, they are busy!]
Many items must be refrigerated so be careful what you order, especially in the summer months. We seldom order refrigerated items unless we are taking them to our daughter Jill who lives about ten minutes from this bakery.
People from all over the city of Chicago and from the Chicago Suburbs come to the Swedish Bakery in Andersonaville to get the best bakery items in the city.
The Swedish Bakery sells from the following categories:
Cakes
Logs, Rolls, Slices
Petits Fours
Pastries
Swedish Pastries
Loaves, Bundts
Coffeecakes
Sweetrolls
Muffins
Donuts
Other Breakfast Items such as Scones, Strudel, Pecan rolls
Slices, mostly seasonal such as Pumpkin, bread pudding, etc.
Pies (deep dish)
Other season aitems such as:
[Hot Cross Buns
Lucia Kattor
Semior with Cream & Almond Paste Patty
Fruit Cake
Stollen
Apple Dumpling]
Breads
Breadrolls
Cookies per pound
Toast [Cardamom, Sugar, Cinnamon]
From $.65 to $29.50 depending on the item. Leave a Comment
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With lines out the door and down the street one cannnot help but wonder what is so good about Garrett's popcorn? I mean after all, popcorn is popcorn, right? Er, well, NO! Garrett's popcorn is the best I have ever had!
For over half a century Garrett Popcorn Shops have been in business. They pride themselves on making fresh, delicious popcorn. They limit their popcorn selections to Plain Popcorn, Buttered Popcorn, CaramelCrisp, which may be blended with cashews, macadamias or pecans and CheeseCorn. Combining the cheese with the caramel, Garretts originally called it The Downtown Mix, but it has since become the Chicago Mix. Oprah Winfrey selected the Chicago Mix as one of her Favorite Things.
Don't leave without one or two bags full of the "Chicago Mix" or maybe try some of the Caramel Macadamia nut mix.
If you can buy it there in Chicago then the prices are reasonable, but when you order it to be shipped it becomes a bit expensive. A tin of carmel and cheese cost $46.00 for 2 gallons but the shipping was $19.00 for 2 day delivery (this is to ensure the popcorn will arrive fresh). Leave a Comment Theme: Food and DrinkAddress: 26 East Randolph Street Chicago, ILPhone: 312 630 0217
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Chicago's Michigan Ave, or otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile is home to many designer stores and shopping centers, like the Water Tower.
Also a treat for all you window shoppers :-)
Whether you want to spend all your money, or no money at all...Michicagn Ave is the place to go!!
Most of the designer stores like Kenneth Cole and Pucci can be very expensive, but you can always find a bargain at the H&M across the street from the Water Tower. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherDirections: All of Michigan Ave, downtown Chicago
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Founded in Chicago in 1852, Marshall Field's has been a mainstay in the Chicago area for over 103 years. It was the first store to have a restaurant in the store. During the Christmas season Marshall Fields has been known for using their store wondows to create a "theme" for the yuletide shopping frenzy. This year was "Cinderella." Macy's has bought out Marshall Fields but they have promised to keep the window tradition alive, well, it just won't be the same.
The store has established a long time favorite of Chicagoans everywhere with their world-famous Frango chocolates. I snagged the last box of "dessert" Frangos. These are melt in your mouth mint truffles. Even me, who is not a big fan of chocolate was seen eating more than just one sample of these fantastic chocolates.
We rode up to the top floor to see the beautiful Tiffany stained glass roof and this huge Christmas tree with all the crystal decorations upon it. The Tiffany Ceiling is the largest glass mosaic of its kind and the first ceiling ever built with iridescent glass. The Great Clock at the corner of State and Washington streets has been keeping time for over a century and has been painted by American artist Norman Rockwell.
Frangos, the Marshall Fileds wildly popular mint chocolate melt-a-ways. This season in honor of breast cancer research the mints were made in "pink" with a donation from the proceeds of each box sold going to the research for the cure of breast cancer.
One pound box of Frangos were priced at $10.99 per box. They are originally $17 per box. They had smaller sample size boxes that were running about $5.00 as well. The store was jammed packed with Christmas shoppers buying clothes, fragrances as well as household items. Leave a Comment
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Chicago's premier Department Store since 1852, Marshall Field's became MACY'S in September, 2006. Their "Magnificent Mile" location offers eight floors of designer fashions, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, housewares, gourmet foods and wines.
When we were in Chicago, Hans and I visited Macy's twice. First was to have lunch in the Marketplace Food Court. Robert thought it was a good idea to eat there as there was such a wide variety to choose from and was very popular with the locals.
We also went later with Kristi, Kat, Kris and Robert. Kristi brought us up to the seventh floor where the famous "Walnut Room" was and from there was a magnificent view of the HUGE Christmas tree in the center. Leave a Comment
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H&M also has locations across Europe and in NYC. The new Chicago store is huge with all kinds of fun, stylish clothes at affordable prices. They have everything from punk to retro to preppy styles.
Especially if you're from a smaller town, Chicago is a great place to shop and see the latest styles.
I would say you can can great tops and pants in the $20-$40 range. Leave a Comment Theme: Women's ClothesAddress: 840 N. Michigan AvenuePhone: (312)274-1111Website: www.hm.com
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- Crowne Plaza Chicago Silversmith
10 S Wabash Ave (formerly Crowne Plaza), Chicago, IL - Hampton Inn & Suites' Chicago-River North
33 W Illinois, Chicago, IL - Best Western River North Hotel-CTB
125 West Ohio Street, Chicago, IL - Gold Coast Hotel
1816 N Clark Street (formerly Gold Coast Hotel), Chicago, IL - Homewood Suites Chicago Downtown
40 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL - Holiday Inn Mart Plaza
350 W Mart Center Drive, Chicago, IL - Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
20 East Chestnut St - Downtown, Chicago, IL - Radisson Hotel And Suites-Downtown Chicago
160 E Huron, Chicago, IL - Holiday Inn Chicago City Centre
300 East Ohio Street (Formerly Chicago City Centre Hotel), Chicago, IL - Hard Rock Hotel Chicago
230 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL - Days Inn Gold Coast
1816 N Clark Street (formerly Gold Coast Hotel), Chicago, IL - The Wheeler Mansion
2020 South Calumet Ave, Chicago, IL - The Drake
140 East Walton Place, Chicago, IL - Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile
540 N Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL - Renaissance Chicago O*Hare
8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL
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on January 6, 2006
on December 15, 2005
on June 24, 2004
on December 20, 2006
on August 17, 2004
