Monday, April 27, 2009

Chinatown: Chicago

After my wildly successful (and slightly life-threatening) trip to Chinatown in NYC where I discovered the joy of knock-off purses, I've been wanting to try my luck at Chicago's very own Chinatown. Given my need for a new summer purse, the finally pleasant weather, and my new obsession with riding the "L", I made my sweet boyfriend take me down there for a shopping trip over the weekend.

I was pleasantly surprised with our Chinatown. It's fairly small, just one main street with lots of gift shops and restaurants and a little outdoor "mall" with some more of the same. But look at this fabulous gate!


But I know what you're all really wondering about: How was the knock-off purse selection?? Well, it wasn't nearly as exciting as New York's. There was only one store that really had a large selection, and there was a back room, but it was rather accessible and not really shady at all. Too bad.


Nevertheless, I found pretty much the perfect purse, and I would say our first Chicago Chinatown experience was a huge success!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved Chinatown in NYC and am going to be going to Chicago in June. Any chance you could name the store? NYC made it so easy- you got off the bus and they were right there to take you on an adventure! Any tricks to Chicago's?

Kim said...

I'm not sure what the name of that store was. I'm not even sure it had a name! There was a sign out front advertising a handbag sale, so it was pretty obvious. It was upstairs, above another store, not really hidden or shady at all :)

Unfortunately, Chicago's Chinatown isn't nearly as cool as NYC's. It is handy because the L takes you right there, but there's really only one main street with shops, and that one store was the only one I found with a good selection of purses. But it was still worth a visit.

Enjoy your time in Chicago!

[LaLa] Lauren said...

Just came across your blog because I'm looking for the name of this store! (= Can you tell me what street it was on?

Kim said...

It was on the west side of Wentworth Ave. just south of the big Chinatown sign over the street. Hopefully that helps :)

Anonymous said...

As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you

Moyo said...

im going today! im excited & this helped thank you. And I really hope I find the wallet im looking for and taste some yummy food. :)