Neighborhood

Our stretch of North Lincoln is home to several specialty shopkeepers, as well as purveyors of excellent beverages and delicious snacks.

Union Handmade (3860 N. Lincoln  |  W–F, 11–6; weekends, 11–5)

Union Handmade is how we got our start in the neighborhood, in 2014, when owner Leigh DeLeonardo invited us to be the “papeterista” at her collective. Her shop showcases the handiwork of several local artisans, including clothing designers, knitters, metalsmiths & milliners, all beautifully displayed. (In 2016, we “graduated” and opened our own space literally next door in the same building.)

Knit1 (3856 N. Lincoln  |  M + W, 1–8:30 pm; T, closed; Th, 11–8:30; F, 11–5; Sat, 10–5; Sun, 12–4)

Lynn Coe has curated an extraordinary selection of yarns from around the world. Even if you aren’t a knitter, the visual delight of floor-to-ceiling yarn compartments and chromatically organized skeins of cotton yarn, and wool yarn, and silk yarn… The shop also offers classes, and knitters come from all over Chicago to purl in the inspiring ambiance of Knit1.

Hawthorne (3854 N. Lincoln  |  W–F, 12–6; weekends, 12–5)

Robert Rud is part curator, part merchandiser, part space planning wizard, and full-blown aficionado of vintage modern furniture and housewares—which is what his shop specializes in. He designed our space, including ferreting out the incredible paper cabinet (seen on our Studio page); he also designed the interiors of Union Handmade and Knit1.

Soutache (3862 N. Lincoln  |  W–F, 11–6; Sat, 10–5; Sun, 12–4)

Maili Powell’s shop was located in Bucktown for y-e-a-r-s, but when we mentioned that the space on the other side of Union Handmade was available… she did not hesitate to move her gazillions of buttons, acres of ribbons, and drawers overflowing with trims… a couple of miles to join our coterie. It is lovely to see her almost every day!

Therieau Frame Shop (3831 N. Lincoln  |  M + T, 11–6; W–F, 11–7; weekends, 10–5)

Paul Therieau offers a splendid selection of mouldings and prints by local artists. Emily Franklin (an instructor at Bari Zaki Studio) serves as Paul’s assistant. She is a photographer, a digital printer, and an evolved doodler.

Ritual Café (1821 W. Irving Park Road  |  every day, 7am–10pm)

Our favorite beverage here is the Turmeric Tonic (herbal tea with steamed milk) and the classic latte. All of the teas are organic, from Kilogram, and the coffee is from Intelligentsia. To our delirium, the café also serves pastries (croissants!) from La Floriole. And when the weather is nice, you can linger in the little outdoor “nook.”