Great variety of work displayed during art walk weekend. Receptionist was super friendly and also…read morean artist currently on display here. Prices seemed reasonable.

ARC recently moved into a larger space on the corner of Webster and Damen and their programming has…read moreexploded! High profile openings, later hours, and community outreach has elevated the gallery into an active member of the Bucktown neighborhood. Super pleased to see the gallery continuing to thrive.

I had a summer internship with Aron Packer back when his gallery was on Peoria and really loved…read moreworking with him. I hadn't been to his new space (having merged with Schopf on Lake) until tonight. It was the same great owner and artwork, but in a bigger, even more beautiful space. Aron is a really friendly, fun guy who is very knowledgeable about the work he carries. Some of my favorite pieces are photos by Toni Hafkensheid and the really fun "Shark Girl" work by Casey Riordan Millard. Packer Schopf is a great place too look at some contemporary artwork and have a glass of wine (in tonight's case, served in Spongebob Dixie cups).

I'm really lucky, because one of my closest friends, Victoria Fuller, is an artist - a sculptor and…read morepainter. Not just your average every day artist, but I mean a real one. Since I'm kind of on a staycation this week, we took our boys into the city for an art gallery experience... a private tour of *Auntie* Vicki's art show and tour of the rest of the exhibits. Aside from the fact that her show is incredible, especially seeing all the little tidbits of art she's been working on around her studio all come together in entirety, the gallery is small and really nice inside. You wouldn't know from the outside what to expect. It looks like any older building in the area, but walk in and you are greeted by a completely renovated space that feels like a designer showroom from the Mart. Well lit, with artwork nicely displayed. The sculpture exhibits are upstairs, and downstairs there is a unique basement space, with lots of head room and art on paper. Today we saw engraved laptops by Michael Dinges in his exploration of objects that go on living after they are dead, and a custom canoe made from siding. Vicki's exhibit explores nature and our environment around us, and Geoffry Smalley's works on paper jabs at the world of American sports. There were also scanned collage pieces by Karen Savage exploring the various emotions and angles of depression and anxiety. I met the owner of the gallery, Aron Packer, who is super nice and welcoming (and a banjo player). It was nice to be in a space that didn't feel stuffy and unwelcoming to my two inquisitive eight-year old boys. Parking is a bit of a challenge around there, but so worth the stop. The train on Lake makes a stop right outside the gallery if you are local. Also, lots of great restaurants in the area, like Little Goat and Grange Hall Burger Bar (our stop) for a true urban experience.

The best shop for absolutely anything you are looking for and even for what you aren't looking for…read more A treasure to Roger's Park and has been around forever. If you can't ( for some reason) find what you are looking for just ask to see or talk to Charlotte, she will hook you up . Charlotte is the most amazing person and she knows everything about everything she has it all and if not she knows where to get. Please check it out you'll be obsessed and her inventory is endless and is constantly changing-daily. Check out the sidewalk sales everything goes for only $.95 it's insane. You wont bec able to see everything in one day trust me and please , please please, go down to the basement ( but watch your head )

Looking for something old? Anything at all? Or just looking for a crazy experience? This place is…read morejammed full of everything! It's so cool to just walk around slowly looking at all the antiques. There really is everything! Also, they rent costumes. So we used their costumes for a play and they were great. Good rental price, very easy to work with. Just go walk Around this place. Just for fun!

So it's tiny, but mighty. Each booth is curated, colorful and whimsical. Many mid-century items…read more they had a nice selection of records at good prices. The lady at the counter was so friendly, and actually listened and seemed interested to carry a conversation. Very welcoming! Loved the total experience.

What a refreshing change! The "old" mall was hard to navigate, cramped and had a worn out feeling…read more The "New" Mall is very welcoming and open with a lot of personality. Great variety of vendors with eclectic tastes. Some real values and some amazing high-end art and collectibles. They even have a Vegan baker; just in case you're hungry and need to fuel your shopping.

One word: WOW…read more Seriously, the women of Otonohana are damn near amazing. Creative, talented, genuine, unique, dedicated, artistic, passionate and...FUNNY. No, seriously...they were cracking me up the entire time I worked with them. I spent some long hours assembling those photos, and these ladies made it an enjoyable experience from start to finish. Fun, accessible, unique, authentic art for all. These women know what's up...keep an eye out for their next show, get involved and support local art. Very cool. Glad I could be a part of one...an excellent experience all around.

Otonohana is awesome. Otonohana is fun. Otonohana is accessible. Otonohana is all about Chicago…read more Well, at least that's what we want it to be.... that's right, I am reviewing my own (and Jamie K's, Mindy M's, Sarah K's, and Carrie J's) little creative collective. Otonohana throws creative events around Chicago that are accessible to you, not just the cool kids who got their BFA for the Art Institute. We wanted to have events/parties/shows that everyone in Chicago could creatively contribute to and not feel like they are at a disadvantage from anyone else. This is how we do it: 1. We come up with a theme that puts all participants on a level playing field i.e. 12 photos in 24 hours, photos of your neighborhood, etc 2. You shoot the assignment with a disposable camera 3. You return the cameras to Otonohana. We develop the film and mount the photographs. 4. We throw a little open to public gallery showcasing all the photographs submitted. 5. Throw in a little local music, a local DJ, some booze, and a lot of dancing and you have a PARTY, Otonohana style. You shoot. We print and present the photographs. You enjoy the party. Hopefully we will see some Yelpers at tonight's Elite event at West Loop Studio. Tell us what you think. After all... our motto is "I [heart] criticism."

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!

Very charming gallery in Oak Park. The area is quite residential but there are a number of cute…read moreshops and restaurants nearby along Harrison. The gallery owner was really lovely and had great background stories on the artists. The price of the art was very reasonable - and the artists/art really varied throughout the store. I will come back for sure.

Overjoyed our local vintique is back. There was a fire in the store last year where they relocated…read moreto Andersonville for a year. I assume for whatever legal insurance concerns they had. Honestly this is probably one of the best spots for clothes. There are so many unique finds if you want to be a little more extra or a lot extra and go for a full on costume. There period pieces are amazing. Classic print, roaring 20s, funky 70s, radical 80s. I mean they got some great pieces. They used to have an additional basement level but I think that still being renovated. I know you're hanging out on Belmont hitting the bars and food. Perfect time to swing in and browse and support a great local business and especially support yourself in looking good and unique!

Very fun vintage store and one of those stores that wherever you look you see a surprise to make…read moreyou smile . It was one of my favorites to visit when I was in the Lakeview area.