Trench Up

More than a year in the making, Burberry (633 N. Michigan Ave., 312-787-2500, us.burberry.com) has opened the doors to its newly built Chicago flagship. The store has been built up from two stories to five, commanding serious attention with an LED-illuminated chrome and glass exterior wrapped in the brand’s iconic check print. Inside, classic trench-colored stone floors and dark hardwood blend with high-high tech features such as floor-to-ceiling digital walls broadcasting runway shows and iPads to keep the kids entertained. One thing’s for sure: VIP customers are fawned over. A client lounge occupies a large portion of the second floor, and the store employs makeup artists for post-flight touch-ups, a tailor for on-sight fittings, and a concierge who will even make restaurant reservations.

Exclusive to Chicago, the shop carries Burberry’s small-but-mighty beauty line, featuring top-selling Fresh Glow (a moisturizer slash highlighter, $48). The Chicago store is also the first in the U.S. to feature samples of Burberry Bespoke (us.burberry.com/store/bespoke), the brand’s line of customizable trench coats that offers more than 12 million possible designs.

 

Top Sales This Week

On November 21, we’ll bid adieu to one of Chicago’s best design shops, Post 27 (1818 W. Grand Ave., 312-829-6122, post27store.com)—but not before one helluva sale and party. Say your goodbyes over beer, wine, and tunes at the in-store celebration on Thursday, from 6 to 9 p.m., and shop the closing sale (featuring items reduced by up to 75 percent) now through November 21. Take heart: Owner Angela Finney-Hoffman plans to keep Post 27’s web shop—which focuses on custom furniture, interior design, and events—up and running.

Score sips, snacks, and sales at Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St., 312-654-8853, katespade.com) on Thursday, when Alaina Kaczmarski and Danielle Moss (creators of The Everygirl, theeverygirl.com) co-host a holiday party from 6 to 8 p.m. All full-priced items are discounted 20 percent during the event, which is open to all. Call the shop to RSVP.

 

The Best of the Rest

  • Bursting at the seams with vintage dinnerware, Parisian flea market finds, and one-of-a-kind tabletop décor, River North’s little design gem P.O.S.H. (613 N. State St., 312-280-1602) has exploded onto the world wide web. Check out the store’s new site, poshchicago.com, and use the code New2012 for 15 percent off all non-sale items through Thursday.
  • Florodora (330 S. Dearborn St., 312-212-8860, florodora.com) hosts a trunk show and 20 percent off sale with one of its favorite brands, Nougat London (nougatlondon.co.uk), on Friday and Saturday. Plus, you’ll score a deeper discount by helping the Greater Chicago Food Depository: For every canned good you donate during the sale, take an additional 50 percent off any clearance item.
  • As a pre-holiday sale, Urban Style Emporium (200 E. Delaware Pl., 312-335-1353, urbanstyleemporium.com) is offering 25 percent off its entire inventory, now through November 21. And to help Hurricane Sandy victims, the store is shipping basic necessities (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.) to the East coast. Bring ten items to donate and receive an extra 10 percent off.
  • Sample sale alert: Fashion wholesaler Annie O and showroom Feisty Kitten holds a fall event on Thursday, from 12 to 7 p.m. (324 N. Leavitt St., Ste. 200, 312-421-8676, annieo.net). The racks at this cash-only sale are brimming with brands like Kensie, Tulle, and Topin, all marked 20 percent off the wholesale price (starting at just $10).
  • Help the artists at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago put a dent in their student loans during the 24th annual Holiday Art Sale (112 S. Michigan Ave., 312-629-6880, saic.edu/holidaysale), held Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students will showcase sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and more. Admission is free, and prices range from $1 to more than $1,000.

 

Openings and Closings

After six years in Bucktown, Michelle Tan (1872 N. Damen Ave., 773-252-1888) is closing its doors—at least for now. Tan promises a new location soon, but in the meantime, shop the moving sale—10 percent off all merchandise and 20 percent off handbags—until the boutique shutters on November 25.

Mexico-based Cuadra (835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-440-3166, cuadra.com.mx) has chosen Water Tower Place for its first U.S. location. Best known for handcrafted leather and exotic skin footwear, the brand also produces men’s and women’s apparel. The store holds its grand opening on Thursday, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Fitness guru Lara Hudson has opened a Wicker Park studio called The Mercury Method (1444 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-661-2994, themercurymethod.com). Hudson’s hour-long classes combine strength training, Pilates, yoga, and endurance conditioning. If that doesn’t sound exhausting enough, the room is heated to a balmy 98.6 degrees. Classes normally run $16 each or $160 for a month unlimited, but first-timers can buy in at the special introductory rate of $6 for six consecutive days of classes.