Women’s Fashion/food
Southport Ave
Short, sweet and simple strip for well-priced, wearable homegrown labels. Cab it (or ride the Brown El train to Southport) to the intersection with W Roscoe, and park the ol’ grump at either of these spots while you get down to retail: Rise / 3401 N Southport / 773 525 3535 / risesushi.com / for yum handrolls and sake, or Crosby’s Kitchen at #3455 / 773 883 2525 / crosbyskitchen.com / for burgers, beers, flat screen TVS and a sunny summer patio. Now, with hub neatly disposed of, head straight for a girly treat at #3404 Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream / 773 348 7139 / jenis.com / a lickers’ Shangri-la with quirksome flavour combos like ‘toasted brioche with butter and apricot jam’ and ‘the milkiest chocolate in the world’ (apparently grassgrazed Ohio milk is the secret). Mmm. Sated, scoot on to Mint Julep at #3432 / 773 472 6717 / and Evereve at #3440 / 773 309 6230 / evereve.com / both stocking racks of flirty frocks and femmy basics. Cross for the woodsy US Apothecary at #3451 / 773 799 8946 / khalldesigns.com / with shelves of fragrances, candles, and cosy clothing à la country-house chic. Zip back over the road to Krista K Boutique at #3458 / 773 248 1967 / kristak.com / long providing monied mademoiselles with cocktail dresses and workday stunners. The warehouse-sized Anthropologie at #3532 / 773 935 2693 / anthropologie.com / is the upscale Urban Outfitters, with boho-bourgie gal threads and kitsch. Part of the fun is rooting through the faff (read: ponchos, books, drawer knobs and other knick-knacks). Onwards, stop off at sassy fash staple She One at #3544 / 773 549 9698 / to renew your entire wardrobe at a steal, then cross for all things stationery plus custom printing services at #3543 Paper Source / 773 880 0489 / paper source.com. On, on like the wind two blocks up to blazer babe Two Penny Blue at #3738 / 872 802 0158 / 2pennyblue. com / Fri-sat and by appt / for perfectly-tailored pieces that also benefit charity. And you’re done! Now, Southport Grocery & Café at #3552 / 773 665 0100 / southportgrocery. com / tempts with salads, sarnies and must-try homemade cupcakes; Julius Meinl at #3601 / 773 868 1857 / meinl.com / has Viennese roast coffee, strudel and Nutella crêpes, otherwise head back down to either Rise or Crosby’s Kitchen to reclaim your mister-in-waiting and pick up a sly one (or three) yourself. Bums down and bottoms up!