4/12/24, 2:46 PM Enjoy a Windy City antiquing weekend

HOMESTYLE
Trash or Treasure: Enjoy a Windy City
antiquing weekend
Khristi Zimmeth Special to The Detroit News
Published 6:45 p.m. ET April 11, 2024 Updated 6:45 p.m. ET April 11, 2024

There are few things I like more than an afternoon spent wandering around antique shops.
When those shops are clustered together on an easldg. ily walkable stretch of West Grand Avenue
and nearby side streets in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, I’m hooked. The shops below
are easy to spend a few hours in but won’t take up your whole weekend. Be sure to check
them out next time you’re in town.

Start with a stop for caffeine and other fortifications at the delectable Alliance Bakery
(1837 W. Grand), which celebrated its 100th birthday at its original location on West Division
in late 2023. From there, it’s just steps to a number of tempting shops nearby.
First stop, Salvage One (1840 W. Hubbard; salvageone.com). The converted warehouse
with an enclosed garden courtyard boasts 60,000 square feet of ever-evolving treasures from
the “distant to not-so-distant” past. “We are dedicated to preserving history through
architecture and design,” their brochure reads. “Our mission is to keep these pieces relevant
and in circulation.” Besides being a retail shop with treasures of all sizes, the location is an
event space, prop shop and favorite location for the television and film industry. On the day I
visited, families were busy taking portraits in one of many fascinating nooks and crannies
spread out over three floors — the outdoor courtyard’s iconic Chicago sign is also a favorite.
Furniture, lighting, stained glass, vintage hardware — plan on spending at least an hour
exploring. I wanted — but resisted, unfortunately — the large neon sign that read “The Front
Page” for my home office and some of the colorful vintage letters propped against a brick
wall. Friendly staff is happy to share stories behind the artifacts if you’re interested (I was).

More pieces of the city’s architectural past can be found across Grand at Urban Remains
(1820 W. Grand Ave.; urbanremainschicago.com) It’s hard not to ogle as you wander through
this fascinating and carefully curated repository of the city’s architectural past, most directly
salvaged at demolition sites in the city. Besides pieces such as an original 1892 Frank Lloyd
Wright-designed exterior painted staff panel salvaged from Adler and Sullivan’s Victoria
Hotel and an office door backplate and matching doorknob from the Chicago Stock Exchange
Building, you’ll also find an ever-changing selection of leaded glass, metalwork, books,
hardware, posters and more. I wanted the white glazed terra-cotta “Sullivanesque” block for
my garden that was for sale while I was there and one of the cast brass monogrammed
doorknobs.

It’s worth a stop even if you’re not shopping to explore pieces in the Building 51
Museum Collection, owner Eric Nordstrom’s personal treasure trove. Included are
historically important elements from notable Chicago buildings, especially theaters, movie
palaces and artifacts from iconic Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan-designed buildings.
Not everything is from Chicago — there’s even a “This Building is Being Watched: Stop
Halloween Arson” Devil’s Night Arson sign from Detroit, part of the museum’s extensive
archives.

Smaller souvenirs can be had at Warehouse 55 (1819 W. Grand Ave.;
warehouse55chicago.com) across the street. Vintage finds, repurposed furnishings and some
new accessories are featured in a number of carefully curated booths (Maison Plunder was
my favorite booth name). Whatever your style, you’re sure to find something worth bringing
home — art, furniture, rugs, chandeliers, pottery, barware, lamps — in a variety of prices.
Mid-century modern, farmhouse, cottage and contemporary and an ever-changing inventory
– it’s all here. Recent arrivals included Michigan State mugs, Foo dog napkin rings and more.
Adjacent Redefined Décor (redefineddecor.com) has “rare, distinctive and uncommon
finds from around the globe” as well as some vintage, antique and mid-century items.

Mid-century modern also dominates, not surprisingly, at Dial M for Modern (1818 W.
Grand; dialmformodern.com) open Friday through Sunday. “We love American and Danish
modern design but also like to keep things fun and quirky with a touch of 70s once in a
while,” their brochure claims. “We love to hunt down new pieces and bring in a variety of
curated items, big and small.” The store moved in 2023 from a larger space in the city’s
Logan Square neighborhood. Besides furniture, art and lighting, you’ll also find small gifts
and home goods of all kinds throughout the year.

Contact Khristi Zimmeth at trashortreas@aol.com.