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Babies R Us Visit babiesrus.com for locations *Gift registryThe omnipresent baby superstore carries baby furniture, car seats, strollers, baby gear galore, as well as day-to-day necessities like formula, diapers, and clothing.
Beanstalk 654 Central Ave., Highland Park, 847-432-8300 beanstalktoyland.com *Free gift wrap *Classes and eventsBeanstalk combines practicalities like strollers and high chairs with fun merch like pedal cars and Y Bikes. Shop strollers from Maclaren and Phil and Ted’s, Mamaroo bouncers, baby carriers, feeding and bath products, baby clothes from Hatley, and a great selection of toys like old school Paddington Bear and Raggedy Ann dolls. And feel free to bring the kids along—there’s plenty of room to maneuver strollers and children are encouraged to play with toys before buying.
Burlington Coat Factory Visit burlingtoncoatfactory.com for locations *Gift registryThe main store carries kid’s clothing, shoes, and toys at up to 60 percent off, as well as coats from the likes of Osh Kosh B’Gosh and London Fog. The Baby Depot superstore stocks all the baby essentials from strollers and cribs to layette and baby bottles at discounted prices.
Buy Buy Baby 580 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, 847-884-2023 1556 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove, 630-705-0823 290 Orland Park Pl., Orland Park, 708-403-2575 5540 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake, 815-459-4861 buybuybaby.com *Gift registry *Free gift wrapThe baby superstore owned by Bed, Bath, and Beyond carries everything a baby could ever possibly need (and some it might not.) Baby furniture, bedding, gear, car seats, high chairs, swings, toys, clothing, and everyday basics for diapering, feeding, and bathing the baby.
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Galt Toy + Galt Baby The 900 Shops, 900 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-440-9550 1915 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, 773-327-9980 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, 847-329-7712 galtbaby.com *Gift registry *Free gift wrap *Delivery service availableFurniture, strollers, and baby gear with a more modern bent than typical baby stores. Mod cribs and bassinets are stocked from Oeuf ($590 to $940), Stokke, and Nurseryworks; strollers from BOB, Bugaboo, and Orbit Baby; car seats from Britax and Graco; and activity centers, baby carriers, baby swings, and high chairs. The product expertise in-store is unparalleled. The toy assortment ranges from classic (arts and crafts, blocks, doll houses, train sets) to the truly inspired, like the Little Nest Giddy UP chair ($695), a replica of the 1973 Pony chair by Eero Aarnio. Check out the online outlet for deals.
giggle 2116 N. Halsted St., Chicago, 773-296-6228 giggle.com *Gift registry *Personal shoppers by appointment *Assembly and same day delivery availableEverything in this store is aimed toward urban parents (compact, collapsible, easy to maneuver) and comes in bright, poppy colors. The Lincoln Park spot is the chain’s only location in the Midwest and mixes boutique brands with gear and necessities. Find strollers from Bugaboo and Baby Jogger, Graco and Britax car seats, baby carriers, bouncers, feeding and bath products, diaper bags, mobiles, striped snapsuits and other layette. Also find a great selection of organic and wooden toys. For less spendy options, try their proprietary line, Giggle Better Basics.
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JC Penney Visit jcpenney.com for locations *Gift registryModerately priced kid’s wear from Levi’s, Arizona, Carter’s, and Osh Kosh B’Gosh, shoes from Converse and Skechers, toys from Fisher Price, Melissa and Doug, and Radio Flyer, and a well-stocked baby furniture and gear shop—cribs, rockers, Graco car seats, and high chairs.
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Kustum Kribs
147 N. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, 847-825-5742
kustumkribs.com
*Gift registry
*Classes and events
A happy baby boutique with a mix of modern gear, furniture, clothing, and gifts. Many of the products are eco-friendly, including Ergo Carriers, cloth diapers, Boon high chairs, and Safe Sippy Cups. Contemporary cribs, rocking chairs, and baby loungers from Nurseryworks and Bloom Baby are stocked alongside strollers from BOB, Uppababy, and iCandy. Also shop cloth diapers, slings, baby clothes from Tea Collection and City Threads, diaper bags, and baby shoes. Moms can also check out the stylish nursing shirts and Paige Premium Denim maternity jeans. The owner specializes in hand-painted nursery murals (inquire within), and the store hosts frequent story times and special events.
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Lazar’s Juvenile Furniture
6557 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood, 847-679-6146
lazarsfurniture.com
*Gift registry
*Delivery available
*Design consultations
Family owned since 1917, Lazar’s is the local alternative to big box baby stores with all the furniture and gear necessary to outfit a nursery. The 9,000 sq. ft. showroom carries a wide array of hardwood, quality baby furniture, car seats (Britax and Peg Perego), strollers (Baby Jogger, BOB, Graco, Teutonia), high chairs, bedding, and diaper bags. Nursery design consultations are available. Conveniently, the showroom offers private nursing rooms and changing tables.
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Our Baby 3420 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, 773-588-5120 ourbabyfurniture.comExpert assistance is on hand at this baby furniture boutique, with numerous choices for cribs, gliders, dressers, and crib bedding. Also find Moses baskets, Uppababy strollers, layette, blankets, rockers, toy chests, and essentials such as breastfeeding accessories, bottles, and baby tubs.
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The Right Start
2121 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, 773-296-4420
rightstart.com
*Gift registry
This is the only Midwest location of The Right Start, a retail outpost stocked with gear for infants and toddlers. Shop Bugaboo and Uppababy strollers, Graco and Britax car seats, bouncy seats, crib bedding, bath products, Lifefactory bottles, baby plates and spoons, diaper bags, and a good stock blocks, books, and wooden toys.
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Sears Visit sears.com for locations *Gift registrySears carries baby gear from Eddie Bauer, Jeep, Cosco, and Graco, among others, as well as a full line of baby furniture. For babies, shop clothing from Carter’s and Disney, and for older kids, from Levi’s, Joe Boxer, and Bongo. (See also, Lands’ End.)
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Target Visit target.com for locations *Gift registryThe baby department at Target varies by store but registries can be supplemented online. Essentials include Britax and Graco car seats, strollers, nursery furniture, bedding, tubs, gates, diapers, and bottles. Clothing from Circo, Dwell Studio, and designer collaborations like Harajuku Mini make the kiddie threads stand out. The toy assortment is store dependent, but most cover the basics from LeapFrog, Lego, and Mattel. The $1 racks are treasure troves of small toys, perfect for bribing the young traveler or potty trainee.
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Urba Baby 1117 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, 773-472-2229 1751 W. Division St., Chicago, 773-278-2229 *Classes and eventsThis Lincoln Park shop is hip, helpful, and dedicated to urban parents who need paraphernalia that combines utility and style, such as super soft organic baby clothing, baby carriers, sippy cups, plates, and back pack strollers. Urba Baby also hosts classes, workshops, and events like mom and baby yoga and story times.
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Walmart Visit walmart.com for locations *Gift registryLove it or hate it, the fact remains that prices are often hard to beat at Walmart. Baby essentials run from nursery furniture, strollers, and car seats to everyday basics like food, diapers, toys, and clothing.