We love: State Street shopping

SHOP AROUND The corner of State and Madison Streets hardly bustles like it did in 1929.

Photo: Chicago History Museum

Frank Sinatra once sang “State Street, that great street,” and back in the heyday of Marshall Field’s and Carson Pirie Scott, the street was a great shopping destination. These days? Not so much. Carson’s is long gone (leaving behind a mostly empty shell), and Macy’s has taken over Field’s. Sure, the street has improved from its seediest era in the late ’80s, and we commend the Chicago Loop Alliance for helping fill vacancies in the area, but the options (including T.J. Maxx, Filene’s Basement, Nordstrom Rack and Loehmann’s) give it a “recession road” feel. Ty Tabing, CLA executive director, says he’s working with State Street property owners to shorten lease terms, so local boutiques could have the opportunity to move in. The long-awaited Block 37 promises a few more exciting stores on the street (including Zara, Anthropologie and Puma), but with a foreclosure lawsuit filed against its developer, the mall’s opening date might get pushed back. Again.
In the meantime Hit up ’hoods such as Wicker Park and Lincoln Park for higher-end discounted designer duds.

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