Sometimes older is better. Chicago has no shortage of stores to help you get your vintage fix. Whether it be your next favorite record, retro clothing, or that out-of-print book, here are some of the best places to vintage shop.
Record Stores
With locations in Wicker Park, Lakeview, and the Loop, Reckless Records has something for all vinyl lovers. Check out the Wicker Park location for its in-store performances. Have too many records? Reckless is always looking to buy. Go in person or call if you are interested in selling.
Located in Wicker Park, Shuga Records stocks nearly 200,000 records, designed to enhance your music collection. Open everyday from 12 pm to 7 pm, they feature 20 different genres, both new and used. Don’t have time to visit the store? All Shuga’s vinyl is available for purchase online.
Check out Record Breakers in Logan Square for all the best vinyl, turntables, and more to satisfy your musical cravings. With a massive collection of old and new records, there is more than plenty to choose from. Open everyday from 12 pm to 7 pm, not only can you shop for your next favorite record, you can enjoy their monthly showcase highlighting local bands.
Thrift Stores
Having been an online-only store, Lost Girls Vintage has since opened two brick and mortar shops in Chicago: in West Town and Logan Square. Check out this unique store for some amazing 1930s-1990s vintage finds. When at a local street fair, don’t forget to keep a lookout for the Lost Girls Vintage bus. Open 7 days a week.
Feel like you’re stuck in the 90’s? Kokorokoko in Wicker Park is the place for you. Who doesn’t miss the days of scrunchies and all things neon? Check out this vintage store for 90’s t-shirts, jerseys, sunglasses, VHS tapes, and so much more. You can also shop their whole collection 24/7 on Etsy.
The Fox Club is the place to find colorful 70s, 80s, and 90s retro pieces. In this West Town vintage store, you are guaranteed to find high-quality vintage pieces, including swimwear with unique prints and their in-house swimwear line, Fenton Fox. Create your own style for any occasion, from an ultimate road-trip to your next beach vacation. Embrace your foxy side. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
Books
Looking to expand your mind and do good at the same time? Check out Open Books with several locations in Chicago. Open Books is a nonprofit that inspires thousands of readers each year through literacy programs and the sale of new and used books. Through their literacy programs, they offer educators resources to help strengthen students’ reading and writing skills. Open Books also provides book grants through which they deliver thousands of books to schools and nonprofits. Stop anytime on Mondays through Wednesdays from 10 am to 6 pm and Fridays through Sundays 10 am to 6 pm.
Looking for your next favorite book? Check out Myopic, Chicago’s “best used bookstore,” off the Blue Line at Damen. Open 7 days a week, there are more than 60,000 books to choose from. There’s always something happening at Myopic, including poetry readings and live music. Have too many books? Myopic can help.
Explore after-words, one of the only independent bookstores left in downtown Chicago. This two-story bookstore features a curated collection of over 70,000 new and used books. Whether you are looking for fiction, poetry, or a children’s book, after-words has something for everyone. Looking for a specific out-of-print book? They can locate any book in your budget and ship it to you anywhere in the world. after-words also offers special events such as book signings, readings, and lectures.