A year ago, this event never would have happened in Humbolt Park. Today, the area has become a hotspot for vintage – and the perfect location for a night of shopping.
"Over the last year, California Avenue between Division and Augusta has transformed from a near deserted block filled with empty storefronts to a thriving retail and arts district," Claire Tibbs, owner of Humboldt House says. Since she opened her vintage home goods shop on California in 2013, she's seen the block become a great little community of design-lovers.
Tibbs and the other local shopkeepers got together to create California Nights, a celebration of art, vintage shopping and community held the third Saturday of the month (next up: this Saturday, June 19). From 5 to 9 p.m., participating shops down California Avenue (Meadowlark, Vintage Quest, The Arborist, Humboldt House, Space Oddities and the Peanut Gallery) will keep their doors open late. Retro souvenir cups ($5, pictured above) are available for purchase at the aforementioned stores and will grant you free refills all night on brews courtesy of Goose Island, Brooklyn Brewery and Revolution Brewery.
Vintage fashion truck Lost Girls will be making a stop at the event along with Berlin-style food truck Doner Men. Expect to score some good deals, too. Humboldt House (1045 N. California Ave.), for example, will be offering 15 percent off all vintage goods for the evening.
Find California Nights on Saturday, June 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. at stores along California Avenue (between Divsion St. and Augusta Blvd.).