The service at the store was very nice and welcoming. They are highly accommodatable and…read moreeducational when it comes to ensuring that you know everything about their goods that they sell. We went here, looking for a Matcha tea set. They didn't have any in stock yet. So we opted to buy some incense and a wild tapestry. Everything is priced as expected these are all imported goods from Japan. We will be back to purchase some Matcha. Almost everything they have in there that you can smell taste and touch. They have a sample for! I love that because then you know exactly what it is that you're getting. Great experience I highly recommend coming here if you're looking for authentic Japanese goods.

I've been here a few times, but came back again with a friend and the owner was super nice and…read moreexplained the incense boxes that we were looking at in a very in-depth and detailed way. They have beautiful hand-crafted and articulate items for sale here. Every time I walk in here, it feels tranquil. You could easily drop several hundreds if not thousands here, but everything is made with high quality. Definitely recommend this place if you're window shopping in Andersonville!

I love this shop! It has a wide variety of unique African & African American art, clothing. jewelry…read moreand handmade goods. Additionally, my first visit was amazing thanks to Mama Rose (owner) whose kindness and expertise was much appreciated! I love everything I bought. There is also a card machine now!!!!

Ridiculous prices for African reproductions that are cracked, broken and faded. Thinks Americans…read morehave never been to Africa so they have no idea what these tourist pieces are really worth. She tried to charge me $200,000.00 American dollars for a painting I've seen in many African shops for $100.00. You can get better deals many other places.

What a lovely shop, with an even lovelier proprietor! I've been visiting metta baby down the street…read morefor the last few weeks, and when I've passed Virtu it piqued my interest. Today I was at metta baby for a CPR refresher so I finally had the opportunity to head down the block and check it out. The owner had opened it a few minutes early because when I got there at 10:58 (they open at 11) there were already a few people in and she joked that perhaps she should open at 10. She was super friendly with everyone in the store and very helpful. There were a couple folks with whom she was talking about the being a business owner (they were also business owners), and the business climate in Bucktown. She was joking around with some other customers about some funny cards that she carries. When I was looking at the various jewelry cases she has throughout the store, she let me know right away that if I wanted to see anything to let her know, and she told me about some of the designers that she had in her shop. I really enjoyed talking with her, and I'm almost ashamed I didn't get her name. Her passion for her business and local businesses in general, as well as her dedication to truly providing fantastic and thoughtful service to her customers was palpable. Virtu's proprietor is the epitome of why I LOVE to shop local; oftentimes people at mass merchandisers, whilst hard working and helpful, don't have the same sort of pride, flexibility, and ethos of care that a local business owner does. I visited a couple days before Halloween, and she mentioned that after the holiday she'd start putting out the Christmas merchandise which is already waiting to make its debut. I think she also mentioned that she has extended hours during the holiday season. I'm excited to stop in once she's in the holiday swing to see what I can find here for friends, loved ones (and who knows, maybe even myself), and maybe even something special for my little one's first Christmas.

I wrote a review several years ago in which I praised Julie's ability to pick out jewelry…read more(specifically earrings) that look good on me. I have bought at least three pairs of earrings from Julie which I never would have picked up to try on myself -- I needed her eye to help me (1) find them and (2) realize that I wanted something like them in my jewelry wardrobe. The way this usually plays out is: I come in to the store and find a few things in the cases to try on; I am drawn to the way earrings look hanging on a stand or propped up on those little pieces of wood or leather that all jewelry stores use, but it's very hard correctly connect all the dots from "I like the way that looks in the case" to "that would look good on me." Earrings genuinely do not look the same once you pick them up and put them in your ears, and I've made the mistake more than once of buying earrings that looked great in my jewelry box, but not as great on. (But I have not done this at Virtu, because I think Julie would stop me). So first I try the things on that I pick out, and then Julie usually slides on over with, "...but would you consider these?" And she does it in a really friendly way that is not pushy or a high-pressure sales tactic, it is more "I think this shape/color/contrast would look good in your particular ears." And she is right with astounding frequency, including sometimes with pieces I would never have looked twice at in the case. It is a genuine skill and I find it impressive. For this reason I unfortunately have to limit the number of times I visit per year because I am so likely to buy things!

I am torn because I was coming here for a long time. They have ALOT of piñatas but there prices has…read moregone up a lot. They now sell cleaning products and more household items. Which is good for a business but the smell doesn't mesh with candies. Candy selection is now less than desirable and VERY expensive. I use to come here instead of Dulcelandia but now it's not worth it. The people are friendly and very attentive. They lady even said if I'm ever running late to call and she will wait for me. But I am not certain I will be back.

Considering that they are wholesale but will definitely sell you piñatas and customize one if five…read moredays are given. The items here may not be plentiful but enough to make your next child's party a success. I mean they have very typical Mexican products and please don't let the factory setting discourage you, this place is for everyone including the public. I had a very nice chat with one of the owners who was extremely pleasant and helpful. Of course if you are looking for glamorous items, than keep going, this is a typical (pretend your in Mexico) stop. Wooden floors that creak, cement walls that have probably never been painted and an air of vintage sewing machine factory, since this is what it was back in the 30's. But come by and get your kids party supplies. When it comes to pinatas, this is the one stop that I highly recommend. Although I remember that the pinatas are so typical and made of cardboard that takes your strongest cousin to crack open.

I visited on Sunday 8/30/26, and l regret that this is my first visit. Simply put, I have been…read moremissing out. This is best described as a brick-and-mortar art fair. They have over 100 artist stalls! And they rotate new artists in and out all of the time! Hands down, I think this is the coolest store in Chicago. If you know of any other stores like this, please leave me a comment. I love visiting the street art fairs around town. But as we all know, Chicago weather isn't always conducive for such. I will definitely return to see how artists refresh their stalls and on the lookout for new items from new artists that rotate in or have a temporary popup. Its places like this that make our city unique and flourishing in the arts and culture. So do yourself a favor and visit. They have lots of cool Chicago centric stuff. The staff is very nice and the more people that know about it, then the more it will flourish. Help support our local small businesses like this.

What a cool place!!! So many rooms and floors of cool art and specialty items. It's bigger than it…read morelooks. Rooms lead to more rooms. Really unique gifts, clothes, honey, jewelry, candies, soaps, bags, housewares, artwork from local artists, and more. I definitely recommend checking this place out!

Such a cool place for Mexican spices, snacks, food items and other fun imported goods like piñatas,…read moredecorations, etc. It is a tight squeeze, so be prepared for that. But it is absolutely worth a visit! The owner was very friendly and helpful.

The COOLEST little Mexican artesania store ever!!! I've been…read moreto several of these stores in the Chicago area, most of which are usually overpriced or low quality. I can honestly say that this is hands down the BEST one!! This is a very small business on Cicero and Fullerton, you could almost miss it. Thankfully, they had a lot of their beautiful pots and arts sitting outside. I went in looking to buy a molcajete for a bridal shower, and came out wanting to buy the whole store. The amount of beautiful Mexican plates, pots, tortilla presses, piñatas, mugs, clothes, candies, cheeses, spices, snacks, catrinas is beyond overwhelming. I felt I was in Mexico! The owner is such a friendly, honest, hardworking man, and I hope his business and family continue to thrive! I purchased a cute pig molcajete for ALOT cheaper here than any of the other Mexican grocery stores in Chicago. I want to bring my whole family here and get a bunch of presents. You absolutely must visit this place. You won't regret it!!

We wandered in here as the interior looked super cute. This local shop is a gem for finding…read moreone-of-a-kind gifts, featuring a diverse range of candles, jewelry, personal items, Chicago-themed goods, and kitchenware, all neatly organized for easy browsing. Much of their inventory is locally crafted, guaranteeing uniqueness and the ability to support local businesses! They even had a wooden crafted outline of the Chicago skyline to hang up on the wall - really unique and super cute! I think it's a spot to remember if you're looking for a locally sourced item. Prices were on the more expensive side in my opinion but you would be supporting a local business if you were to purchase. As other reviewers mentioned, we weren't directly greeted, but we didn't think it was a big deal - it was very spacious and it didn't look like anyone had any particular questions so I was grateful for the space to look around and browse!

Amazing service and selection in the heart of Wicker Park! It is the perfect place to bop into if…read moreyou need a gift for a loved one or little something for yourself. I personally love their selection of art prints from local artists. This is a must visit!

we purchased a Bloomingville Throw for $130 and found it on Amazon at the Bloomingville store for…read more$88! Their prices are ridiculous!

Fitting right in and a welcome addition to the new stretch of storefronts on Damen north of…read moreLawrence. While they still have a location on Montrose their new location is so much different. Wide open, light and airy with a wider selection than before of various home goods and crafty pieces. Looking forward to see how they grow into the new space.