Archive for 'Shop Local. Shop Lincoln'

Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Pleasure Chest!

Written by on December 13th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Sarah Sloane, Manager at Pleasure Chest

Sarah is wearing a rockin’ pair of Theo Cinquante+6 in a the most amazing blue-green teal color that really brings out her eyes.  Structured cat-eyes are the perfect eye wear choice for women who are tired of boring rectangles, but don’t really feel like themselves in a dramatic cat-eye.

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Sarah is the marvelous manager at the Pleasure Chest – a boutique erotic store that opened it’s first store in the West Village, NYC in 1971, the height of the sexual revolution.  It set itself apart from the rest of the erotic stores out there with a welcoming and classy atmosphere, it was definitely not your usual seedy “XXX” sex shop with covered windows and creepy sales people.  They quickly grew and expanded in gay neighborhoods in Chicago and LA.

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Fun Facts About Sarah:

How long have you been in business? 7 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Sarah Michelle Geller

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Red-Tail Hawk

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What color are your eyes? Blue

Where did you grow up? Lake Villa, IL 

What hood do you live in now? Logan Square

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As the manager, Sarah and her staff help people explore their sexuality and relationships in a healthy way. Their store is welcoming and beautifully decorated – often called the “Saks 5th Ave” of erotic stores, putting even new customers at ease. “They create a powerful experience and trust where individuals can be successful in finding out what works in their lives. All of the staff employed at The Pleasure Chest is trained to be sensitive to the needs of our guests, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.”

Pleasure Chest * 3436 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago IL 60657 * 773-525-7151

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Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Sugar Fix Dental Loft!

Written by on December 13th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Jessica Emery, Owner and Dentist at Sugar Fix Dental Loft

Jessica is wearing a fab pair of Anne et Valentin Fanzine frames.  The bright yellow metal and marbled grey really pop on her and are both professional and fun – like Jessica!

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Jessica is the Dentist extraordinaire at Sugar Fix Dental Loft. She grew up with a Dentist mother and had a curiosity about dentistry that led to enrollment in dental hygiene school.  This led her to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where she graduated and then working alongside her mother in Boston.  When Jessica came to Chicago, she fell in LOVE with the city and decided to make her dream come true by opening her own practice – the amazing space that is now Sugar Fix Dental Loft.

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Fun Facts About Jessica:

How long have you been in business? 9 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Jake Ryan

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Chameleon, so I can so up the sun on the beach

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What color are your eyes? Hazel

Where did you grow up? Sutton, MA

What hood do you live in now? Evanston

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What sets Jessica’s practice apart from other dental offices is her true passion for smiles and her dedication to her patients.  As a mother of three, she cares for her patients like members of her own family. She treats only one patient at a time which allows her to focus fully on care an comfort of each client that walks through her door.

Sugar Fix Dental Loft * 3346 N Paulina St. Chicago Il 60657 *  773-883-1818

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Filed under: Rapp, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Sam & Willy’s!

Written by on May 5th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Tom Daniels, owner of Sam & Willy’s

Tom is sporting a snazzy Dean frame by Canadian eyewear company, Rapp. They are known for their unique materials and cool shapes.

Tom is sporting a snazzy Dean frame by Canadian eyewear company, Rapp.

 Tom is the owner extraordinaire of Sam & Willy’s which is, in our opinion, the best pet shop around.   He is a long time animal lover, but when he and his lady added a dog who had some special nutritional needs to their family (they already had 2 cats), he realized that there weren’t any places where he could get what he needed for his pup.  So he did what many business owners do, and started the very business he had been looking for, a neighborhood pet store where people could get nutritious food and pet supplies, and a little advice from knowledgable staff.  He named the store after that dog, Sam, and his cat Willy.

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Fun Facts About Tom:

How long have you been in business? 12 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Farrah Fawcett

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Dolphin

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What color are your eyes? Grey

Where did you grow up? Cleveland, OH

What hood do you live in now? Lincoln Square

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Tom’s favorite part of owning Sam & Willy’s is helping people who come into his store looking for help with a particular issue that their pet is having, educating and connecting with  his customers.  He also loves being a part of the community, working with many of the local animal rescue groups.  His is not a shop where you feel like an anonymous shopper, Tom wants to work with you to make sure your pet’s needs are being met.

Sam & Willy’s will be celebrating its 12 year anniversary this Spring, so stop in, say hi and pick a treat for the furry animal in your life!

Sam & Willy’s   *  3405 N. Paulina St. Chicago Il 60657 *  773-404-0400

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Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Black Hearts Hair House!

Written by on May 1st 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs.

Heather Miller, Owner of Black Hearts Hair House

Heather is wearing Francis Klein Kristy in sparkly leopard print…need we say more?

HEATHER_ BLACK HEARTS HAIR_S

Ever since she was a little girl, Heather Miller has been passionate about hair—from cutting her dolls’ hair, to styling all of her friend’s updos for prom, to dorm room hair color adventures; there has always been a constant: she has known that a hair salon—more specifically, her own salon– is where she belongs. After completing her certification at Pivot Point, she gained further education along with a blossoming clientele through the punk/alternative hair salons that Chicago has to offer. Her years of knowledge & experience paid off when the doors of Black Hearts Hair House in November 2008.

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Fun Facts About Heather:

How long have you been in business? 6 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush?  Luke Perry from 90210

If you could be any animal, what would it be? A panther

Are you Right or Left handed?: Right handed

What color are your eyes? Brown

Where did you grow up? Naperville, IL

What hood do you live in? Albany Park

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Since 2008, she has morphed the space on Lincoln Avenue with the help of her talented staff of professionals into her dream of an alternative boutique salon that is able to accommodate a variety of clients–no matter what their budget is or if they want subtle blonde highlights or a bright, purple Mohawk–and always providing them with the upscale environment and service they all deserve.

Black Hearts Hair House * 3535 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 * 773-525-4344

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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Dinkel’s Bakery!

Written by on April 22nd 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Luke Karl, VP at Dinkel’s Bakery

Anne et Valentin makes wearable frames in some great color combos like this orange and black D-Mo frame that Luke is wearing.

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Dinkel’s was opened by Joseph K. Dinkel and his wife Antonie opened Dinkel’s Bakery in 1922.  He was a master baker in Germany and after immigrating to Chicago, they set out to start their own bakery.

Since then, Dinkel’s has become a Chicago institution and is now being operated under the third generation of Dinkels with Joseph’s son -Norman, his grandson Eric, and his grand daughter and her husband – Sandgren and Luke running the show.

They have kept tradition alive, using many of Joseph’s original recipes still to this day.

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Fun Facts About Luke:

How long has the Dinkel’s been in business? Since 1922

How long ave you been working there? 2008

Who was your teenage celebrity crush? My idol was Wynton Marsalis

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Peregrine Falcon

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What color are your eyes? Brown

Where did you grow up? Kansas City, KS

What hood do you live in now? Lakeview

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Dinkel’s Bakery has expanded thanks to the wonders of the internet and now people who grew up eating delicious goodies from Dinkel’s can now buy them and serve them to their families no matter where they live by visiting www.dinkels.com.

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Dinkel’s is the kind of bakery that puts a smile on your face. Just one bite of deliciousness and you will be hooked!

Dinkel’s Bakery   *  3329 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago Il 60657 * 773-281-7300

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Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln, Theo

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Frasca!

Written by on April 11th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs.

Nate Judson, Chef at Frasca

Nate is wearing a slick pair of Theo Huitante+Huit. The bold black and bright neon green really pop on this frame.

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Nate has been cooking up a storm for many years now – an interest inspired by watching the Frugal Gourmet as a kid on PBS after school.  After graduating from Kendal College in 2008, he went on to work at many of Chicago’s great restaurants: 312 Chicago, Alinea, Francesca’s Restaurant Group, as well as a period of working in LA with Gordon Ramsey (don’t you want to know what that was like?) He returned to Chicago because he missed the city and chefs he had gotten to know working here and so he decided to come back home and has been at is loving the opportunity to cook for Frasca.

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Fun Facts About Nate:

How long have you been in business? 7 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush?  Sarah Michelle Geller

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Red-Tail Hawk

Are you Right or Left handed?: Right handed

What color are your eyes? Blue

Where did you grow up? Lake Villa, Il

What hood do you live in? Logan Square

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Nate loves the freedom to create in Frasca’s kitchen and has been making some killer Rissotto – his favourite dish to cook. He describes cooking in a kitchen as controlled chaos and digs the constantly changing environment and creative outlet that it provides.

His favourite thing about Frasca is that the menu is contstantly changing and that it is such a neighborhood institution.

Frasca * 3358 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60657 * 773-248-5222

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Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Eye Spy Optical!

Written by on April 10th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Alissa Fields, Queen of Specs at Eye Spy Optical

Alissa is wearing her signature Theo Cinquante in Hot Pink. The bright color really pops on this classic shape and is anything but ordinary – just like Alissa!

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Also known ’round these parts as The Queen of Specs, Alissa is the colorful and funky owner of Eye Spy Optical.

Eye Spy Optical came into being after many fruitless searches for red and purple glasses. Realizing that there was a lack of fun, colorful and funky glasses in Chicago, Alissa (a.k.a the Queen of Specs) decided that the folks in Chicago deserve glasses that have some personality!

Since Alissa was a kid, she wanted to start her own business. She had lemonade stands, worked in retail starting at 4 years old in her grandparents’ lamp store and earned an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Alissa’s parents’ design background guided her interests towards well-designed and beautiful objects. The Queen of Specs wore glasses since the age of 12, and always helped her friends pick out their specs. One day, it finally dawned on her … she would love to have an eyeglass shop and fit people with spectacular specs.

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Fun Facts About Alissa:

How long have you been in business? 17 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Charlie Sheen

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Mandarin Fish

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What color are your eyes? Hazel

Where did you grow up? Rogers Park, Lakeview, Glencoe, Wilmette and Evanston…Whew!

What hood do you live in now? Mayfair

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Alissa and her staff  pride themselves in outfitting customers with frames that are bit out-of-the-ordinary. Many of their customers say that they are surprised at what eyeglasses they choose for them. They always hear how much our customers love their new glasses, how many compliments they receive, how much fun they had picking out frames…and how they will return to Eye Spy again and again!

They stock frames in every color of the rainbow, and sell more red and purple glasses than black glasses. They also do a ton of special orders, so if you are looking for something specific or more sedate, they can help you find it. They have spectacular specs and shades for men, women and kids.

Eye Spy Optical offers personalized fittings, “Try-before-you-buy” digital photos of you in your glasses, expert advice, comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings, and honest opinions…about anything and everything!! If you let them guide you and listen to their opinions, it will be easy to decide on your new pair of simply spectacular specs.

Eye Spy Optical * 3350 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago IL 60626 * 773-477-2670

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Filed under: Anni Shades, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Sine Qua Non Salons!

Written by on April 3rd 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Laura Boton, Owner of Sine Qua Non Salons

Laura’s wearing a dreamy pair of Anni Shades Oleg frames. Anni Shades are made in Ohio by hand and can be custom made in almost any color you like!

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In 1993, Laura was a frustrated stylist.  She wanted to work in a salon where “freedom, creativity and flexibility could exist for the stylists, and comfort and acceptance would be a priority for our guests, ” instead of the run of the mill mico-managing she had experienced in the salon industry.

With a little help, a lot of hard work and $25,000 borrowed from friends and family, Sine Qua Non Salons was a dream come true!

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Fun Facts About Laura:

How long have you been in business? 21 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush?  David Cassidy & Micky Dolenz

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Dog

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What is your eye color? Brown

Where did you grow up? Des Plaines, the City of Destiny

What hood do you live in? West Rogers Park

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Laura was in that first location, an old house at at 2944 N Lincoln for 5 years.  She moved to her current location in 1998 after a failed bid to buy that building (which no longer exists) and has continued as a go-to for the stylish people of Lake View.

Laura loves what she does, “Its been a great ride!”

Sin Qua Non Salons * 3417 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 * 773.404.8789

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Filed under: Niloca, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Paulina Meat Market!

Written by on March 4th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Johnny Begale, Sausage Kitchen Manager

Johnny is wearing a spicy Jawd frame by the Australian eyewear designer, Niloca, who are known for unexpected shapes and unique use of color in their handmade frames.

JOHNNY_ PAULINA MEAT MARKET_s

Paulina Meat Market is one of those great family business that are hard to find these days. In 1984, just as the current location was opening it’s doors, Johnny’s dad Bill, applied and started his career, learning to “break down cattle and serve carnivourous Chicagoans.” He and his wife, Laurie had the opportunity to buy the business from the original owners in 2006, and have made the market their own, exapnding their selection of fresh meats and sausages and compimentary products to appeal to the needs of their customers while still keeping the original roots of their German-American Meat Market intact.

Johnny has a degree in accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University and worked for 2 years at McGladrey, but found himself wondering if that was the right fit.  He began working for the family business in 2011 with the Sausage Kitchen team. “I have an awesome family and was fortunate enough to have a place to go when I needed to take a step back and figure things out.” Johnny has also put his accounting and business knowledge to good use, helping to make Paulina Meat Market the World Class Meat Market it is today.

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Fun Facts about Johnny:

How long have you been in business?  Paulina Market has been in business since 1949 (65 years)

Who was your teenage celebrity crush?  I was 19 when Annapolis came out (just on the edge of teenage years), and James Franco is a stud in that movie so would have to go with him!

If you could be any animal, what would it be?  I would have to be a bird, a Bald Eagle to be specific I guess.  I don’t know much about Bald Eagles, but I love to travel and I love my country so that would be a sweet animal to be!

Are you right or left handed?  Righty

What color are your eyes? Brown

Where did you grow up? Niles, IL

What ‘hood do you live in? Roscoe Village

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Johnny and his family want Paulina Market always strives to understand its customers and their meat-eating needs and pushes itself to be the best market in town!

Paulina Meat Market * 3501 N. Lincoln Avenue (corner of Lincoln & Cornelia) Chicago, IL 60657 * 773.248.6272

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Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln, Theo

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Buliding Blocks!

Written by on February 13th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Katherine McHenry, owner of Building Blocks

Katherine is wearing a pair of playful and flirty fluorescent red Theo Mille +26 frames. After modelling these frames for us, she decided that she loved them…and purchased them!!

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Katherine, a self proclaimed “educator-wannabe, play ambassador and retail aficionado” opened her store in 1996. This wasn’t her first business though, she got her start at 9 selling candy out of her apartment in Queens, NY.  She dabbled in retail for a while and worked in accounting, but it wasn’t until she opened Building Blocks that she really found her passion. “Serving families with educational, developmental and play-based products” is what really floats Katherine’s boat.

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Fun Facts About Katherine:

How long have you been in business? 18 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush?  Rob Lowe

If you could be any animal, what would it be? A bird

Are you Right or Left handed?: Right handed

What color are your eyes? Brown

Where did you grow up? Queens, NY

What hood do you live in? West Edgewater

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Katherine is a busy woman.  She not only has two stores,  she opened the Wicker Park location in 2008, but she also is a mom.  Tai and Linh keep her on her toes and get to test drive all the best toys!

Make sure you stop in the next time you need a toy for a little person in your life.  Katherine will be happy to help you.

Building Blocks * 3306 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Il 60657 * 773-525-6200

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