Chicago Creators Tour Their City’s Best Shopping Spots
This National Coffee Day, Chicago creators showcased the city’s diverse coffee scene, from suburban gems to hidden spots downtown and locally roasted staples. Whether it’s indulging in creative coffee blends or supporting neighborhood cafes, these influencers highlighted what makes Chicago a haven for coffee lovers. Here’s how they celebrated.
Holiday Gift Finds at Chicago’s Hidden Gems
Christine (@dukeexploratorium) celebrated her love for shopping small during the fall season with a focus on holiday gifting. She highlighted three standout spots perfect for unique gifts: Steel Petal Press, a woman-owned shop in Logan Square offering soaps, candles, cards, and their must-have mystery boxes; Semicolon Books, a Black woman-owned bookstore with a new location in the Wrigley Building (plus tempting sweets!); and LUVSICK, a plus-size vintage shop with one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories like astrological sign necklaces and croissant pens. Christine’s recommendations reminded us that shopping small isn’t just local—you can “add to cart” online too! Check out her full gift guide here:
Shopping Local in DeKalb County
Local Exposure (@localexposure815) took to DeKalb County to celebrate Small Business Saturday and highlighted the area’s incredible selection of shops, markets, and makers. From Sycamore to DeKalb, the county boasts a wide variety of options for local shopping. Their post encouraged followers to start their holiday shopping by supporting small businesses and discovering the artisans and creatives that make their communities unique. See their local finds here:
Holiday Magic in Old Town
Meggan (@mamaknowschicago) kicked off the holiday season with her daughter at the Old Town Christmas tree lighting. After soaking up the festive atmosphere, they visited a few of their favorite local shops, making it the perfect way to start #SmallBizNovember. Meggan highlighted several Old Town gems, including The Spice House for Chicago-inspired blends, La Fournette Bakery for artisan breads and gift-worthy spreads, Slant of Light Books for a cozy bookshop vibe, Cocoa + Co. for gourmet hot cocoa and chocolates, and Jeni’s Ice Creams for their holiday-inspired White Chocolate Peppermint flavor. Old Town is truly a holiday shopping treasure! See her festive journey here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAjGiHQvhLD/.
Join Us Next Time!
Chicago’s creators brought the city’s best shopping spots to life, reminding us of the power of supporting small businesses. Whether discovering gift ideas at Steel Petal Press, exploring local makers in DeKalb County, or strolling through the charm of Lincoln Square, these highlights reminded us of the incredible shopping culture Chicago has to offer. Be sure to keep the spirit of shopping small alive year-round and join us next time for more local adventures!