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Andersonville Galleria 5247 N. Clark St., Chicago, 773-878-8570 andersonvillegalleria.comMore than 90 artists have stalls in this three-floor space that brings art, gifts, and jewelry together under one roof. Though most of the wares are for grown-ups, many stalls carry baby-appropriate items, like knitwear dresses, mobiles, snapsuits, and art suitable for framing in a nursery or kid’s room.
Art Effect 934 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, 773-929-3600 arteffectchicago.comLincoln Park’s favorite gift store. In addition to women’s clothing, jewelry, home décor, and bath and body products, the children’s selection of gifts is whimsical, such as Ugly Dolls, crayon rings, alphabet blocks, wind-up toys, and Mr. Potato Head.
Artisan Shop and Gallery 1515 Sheridan Rd.,, Wilmette, 847-251-3775 artisanshopandgallery.comThis gallery shop has a well-curated baby section, with gorgeous baby blankets, playful Japanese lanterns for nurseries, journals for new moms, stuffed toys, and photo frames. Teddy bears from Ilse’s Bears are made from recycled minks and fur coats. Inquire about custom options for creating a bear from an heirloom family coat.
Artisans & Crafters 839 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 708-848-4693 opwe.orgThe Oak Park Women’s Exchange runs this shop, which carries the work of local artists. The baby selection includes knit sweaters, knit toys, crocheted booties, quilts, handmade doll clothing, and wooden rockers.
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Babydreams
448 Central Ave., Highland Park, 847-432-4704
babydreamshighlandpark.com
*Monogramming available
Baby gifts are the specialty of this Highland Park shop. The knit sweaters are adorable, and much of the clothing, blankets, and other gifts are available for monogramming and personalization. (Ask about the outstanding custom baby gift baskets). Most merch is geared toward the newborn to 24 month crowd, but books, toys, plushies, and big brother/big sister gifts make great toddler gifts. The Grandparent Club allows grandparents who make a $25 donation to Children’s Memorial to take 15 percent off their total purchase every Sunday.
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Clever Girl
907 Burlington Ave., Western Springs, 708-246-5050
shopclevergirl.com
Chock-a-block with gifts, all handpicked by the owners who previously owned shops longtime west suburbanites may remember: Abigail Rose, Finnie McClure, and French Toast. Gifts for junior include bibs, books, growth charts, retro games, little stuffed toys, Chewbeads necklaces, and custom-knit stroller blankets monogrammed with baby names.
Climate Home 2462 N. Clark St., Chicago, 773-327-7717This Lincoln Park shop is one of Chicago’s best gift stores, with a huge selection of cards, holiday merchandise, and home gifts. The offbeat baby and kid selection includes footie pajamas, books, blankets, toy dinosaurs, and snapsuits with funny sayings, as well as a selection of Chicago-themed baby snapsuits and apparel.
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Dandy Things 350 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove, 847-821-1422 dandythingsshop.comA Long Grove shop that brings the work of many artists together in one space. Kid-friendly wares include plush and felted toys, snapsuits, T-shirts, hats, and other small gifts.
Dreidels and More 67 E. Oak St., Chicago, 312-266-6620 dreidelsandmore.comShop Jewish-themed gifts and holiday supplies, including kid’s merchandise like baby’s first Kiddush cup, children’s mezuzahs, wooden Torah sets, Aleph-Bet wooden blocks, and items for Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Purim, and Sukkot.
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Eclecticity 4718 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, 773-275-3080 eclec.comThis Lincoln Square gift shop has a kid-centric section toward the back of the store, with puzzles, origami kits, and plush toys from JellyCat. The art mobiles make for unconventional nursery décor.
Elevenzees 1901 W. Division St., Chicago, 773-772-1150 elevenzees.comBaby gifts at this Wicker Park lifestyle store include cheeky Wry Baby snapsuits, infant apparel from Aden & Anais, Trumpette shoes, and other small tokens for little ones.
Enjoy, an Urban General Store 4727 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, 773-334-8626 urbangeneralstore.com/shopA modern day general store with a children’s section that mixes quirk and function: snapsuits, Skip Hop diaper bags and backpacks, pull toys, books, blankets and swaddlers, Blabla dolls, and, of course, a Sock Monkey Kit.
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The Fig Tree 1037 W. Madison St., Chicago, 312-226-6303 thefigtreechicago.comA West Loop gift shop that is one-stop for hostess gifts, candles, stationery, jewelry, and cards. The baby and child gifts are sweet, such as adorable baby clothing from Zutano and Mud Pie, name trains, and cuddly towels.
An (ahem) fixture in Roscoe Village, this spot has a children’s section with Trumpette baby socks, Ugly Dolls, books, rain coats, umbrellas, toys, and beautiful nursery art from Gentile Designs that feature whimsical robots or funny reminders to “brush your teeth.”
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Greenheart Shop 1911 W. Division St., Chicago, 312-264-1625 greenheartshop.orgThis fair-trade shop peddles non-profit, earth-friendly cheer in Wicker Park. The baby selection is on the small side—think organic cotton plush toys—but the housewares, candles, and the line of goods emblazoned with the shop’s sweet “great heart” logo are worth a look.
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Hanger18 4726 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-275-3349 hanger18chicago.comThe small but adorable children’s selection at this Lincoln Square gift shop includes baby and toddler clothing, knit hats and gloves from Knit Wits, books, Rockabye baby CDs., paper doll kits, Ugly Dolls, and Airbuddy ride-on toys.
Hazel 1902 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, 773-769-2227 hazelchicago.comThis gift shop carries candles, jewelry, Marimekko home products, and other fun impulse buys. The children’s selection is small but sweet, such as wooden blocks adorned with presidential faces, Binth matching cards, and a handful of snapsuits and other kiddie merch.
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Initial Choice
226 E. Westminster Rd., Lake Forest, 847-234-5884
theinitialchoice.com
*Monogramming available
You name it, and Initial Choice can monogram it. The exhaustive list of gifts includes baby blankets, rattles, baby sweaters, hats, photo frames, crosses for baptism gifts, plates, suitcases, stools, puzzles, robes, piggy banks, and ornaments. Embroidery is available in a variety of fonts and colors.
Initially Ewe 1058 Hillgrove Ave., Western Springs, 708-244-7777 initiallyewe.com *Monogramming availableThis knitting boutique offers custom monogramming on just about anything—bring in your own item or choose a baby product in store: tutus, bibs, blankets, and lovies.
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Komoda
2559 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, 773-276-8229
shopkomoda.com
Kids are very welcome at this Humboldt Park gift shop, which is located in an old hardware store and replaces hammers and nails with housewares, stationery, jewelry, soaps, and candles. The children’s section includes toys, books, plushies, and snapsuits.
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L’il Surprises 22 S. Ash St., Frankfort, 815-464-9856lilsurprises.com
This Frankfort shop carries adorable, bright clothing from Rabbit Moon and Hanna Banana, as well as books, toys, and puzzles. Their specialty is custom-created birthday shirts and bibs, adorned with the child’s age, as well as gift baskets for babies, parents, and grandparents.
The Little Traveler 404 S. Third St., Geneva, 630-232-4200 littletraveler.comHoused in a sprawling mansion in the center of downtown Geneva, The Little Traveler is actually a mix of independent shop owners who bring together all manner of gifts from Europe, the Far East, and closer to home. Among the many baby products available are clothing (newborn to size 6x), fancy coats, embroidered hats, corduroy rompers, layette, Laura Ashley baptism gowns, and toys from around the world.
Luv the Name 312 S. Third St., Geneva, 630-232-6007 luvthename.com *Monogramming availableIt’s all about monogramming at Luv The Name, which carries a wide array of gift options with no extra charge for personalization. Choose among snapsuits, baby robes, blankets, lovies, bibs, sweaters, totes, backpacks, rompers, T-shirts, and even tutus.
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Monograms on Webster
1210 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, 773-697-8006
monogramsonwebster.com
*Monogramming available
A monogramming boutique with an extensive baby and children’s selection. Embroidered personalization is available on a whole host of products including snapsuits, sweaters, dresses, bloomers, backpacks, bibs, blankets, and towels.
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Paper Doll
2027 W. Division St., 773-227-6950
paperdollchicago.com
Stationery may be the bread and butter here, but this local card purveyor also carries cute kid gifts like snapsuits and plush dolls. It is also an excellent place to find suitable-for-framing cards from independent stationers, an inexpensive way to decorate a nursery.
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Randoons 962 ½ Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, 847-784-1890 randoons.comMostly a clothing store for women, Randoons boasts a wonderful baby gift section toward the back of the store. Baby clothing is unique and funky—Beastie Boys and The Rolling Stones concert shirts-turned-snapsuits from Rowdy Sprouts, tie-dyed snapsuits, and tees decorated with felt monsters. Tutus, stuffed animals, and blankets round out the selection.
RR#1 814 Ashland Ave., Chicago, 312-421-9079 rr1chicago.comHailed again and again as one of the best gift shops in the city, RR#1 deserves the hype. Housed in a vintage pharmacy, the wood paneling and tin ceiling make an unexpected backdrop for the offbeat gifts. Jewelry, skincare products, candles, cards, and quirky housewares are great for grownups, but the kid’s selection of tutus, silly hats, snapsuits, toys, and stuffed animals is equally fun.
Rudy’s Roundup 1410 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, 773-486-6400 rudysroundup.comA joyful mish-mash of items where you might find a vintage Lite-Brite alongside a tray full of doll heads. Billed as an urban general store, handmade and vintage items are carried alongside jewelry, candles, and stationery. The kid-friendly assortment includes newborn gifts like snapsuits, books, Ugly dolls, little umbrellas, Momiji figurines, and who knows what else? Stop in to see.
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Village Paperie
2217 W. Roscoe St., Chicago, 773-348-7785
villagepaperie.net
Primarily a stationery shop, this Roscoe Village shop also carries snapsuits, children’s books, baptism gifts, personalized gifts, and small toys.
The Villager Card and Gift Shop 1042 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, 708-799-4844 *Free gift wrapAn adorable gift shop that carries cards for any occasion, as well as hostess-appropriate gifts, jewelry, candles, and linens. The baby gift selection is very well-curated, with soft blankets, Trumpette socks, lovies, snapsuits and outfits, and piggy banks.