3.6 hours in Rogers Park

PHOTO: DONNA RICKLES

When we told a friend—a Rogers Park resident—that we’d be spending a Saturday afternoon in her neighborhood and needed some advice on good shops and places to visit, her response was, “Uh, I guess there are some spots on Devon Avenue, but that’s about it.” But when we sleuthed around, we were pleasantly surprised. Rogers Park isn’t a shopping destination, but you’ll find quaint little storefronts and galleries that make for an enjoyable getaway in Chicago’s northernmost community.

1pm Start at the north tip of the ’hood, just off the Howard Red Line stop—where Rogers Avenue meets Howard Street and Greenview Avenue— and prepare to lose yourself inside Lost Eras (1511 W Howard St, 773-764-7400). Once you’re buzzed into this huge, family-owned costume and antique store, you’ll find yourself wandering among the scattered merch for at least an hour.

Usual used goods like clothes and knick knacks are present and accounted for, but where else can you find vintage matchbooks for under a dollar, an authentic copy of the Sun-Times with a headline reading “Nixon Resigns,” and a 1978 Rolling Stone with Gilda Radner on the cover? Half of the shop is a hodgepodge of junk-store goods, while the other features an enormous selection of costumes and wigs to rent.

The store’s huge basement, with its very low ceilings, is one of those see-it-to-believe-it places. It’s dusty enough to induce sneezing spells, and your neck might get sore from crouching, but you’ll find vintage magazines and newspapers, Chinese movies and maybe even a couple of shoppers doing the nasty. (We didn’t witness that last one, but a commenter on Yelp.com claims to have had sex in this basement—this is just one of those places where anything can happen.) On our way out of the store, the owner had one comment: “I know. It’s weird down there, huh?”

PHOTO: KEVIN AEH

2pm Hop in the car or take a quick cab ride four blocks west on Rogers Avenue and four blocks south on Clark Street to Greenleaf Avenue. Nestled in a residential area just a block west is the Greenleaf Art Center (1806 W Greenleaf Ave, 773-465-4652). Since the door will probably be locked (this seems to be a trend with RP shops), it’s easy to assume the art gallery is closed. Just give the buzzer a ring to gain access. On our visit, Kathie Paluch, the owner of the building, acted as our impromptu host. She was about to teach a painting class but took time to show us around the studios. She and her husband, Denis, bought the hundred-year-old building with the intention of making it a printing factory. But around 1990 the couple began to invite local artists to take up residence in the studio spaces and created a gallery. Today, more than 30 artists work out of Greenleaf, and many of them teach on-going classes to the public. There’s also a gift shop and the center often has parties to showcase its talent The next big fete is scheduled for sometime in May.

2:30pm Head five blocks east on Greenleaf Avenue, and you’ll hit Sheridan Road, where you’ll be spending the rest of the afternoon. Take a quick break for refreshments at Panini Panini (6764 N Sheridan Rd, 773-761-4110), a charming neighborhood coffee shop where a cup of joe and a piece of cake—made from graham cracker crumbs and hazelnut cream filling—hit the spot. Across the street is Armadillo’s Pillow (6753 N Sheridan Rd, 773-764-9100), a used bookshop filled with most of Oprah’s picks, strong, but not overwhelming incense burning at all times and plenty of comfy chairs in which to read a chapter or two.

PHOTO: KEVIN AEH

3–4:36pm A couple of blocks north you’ll find Unan Imports (6971 N Sheridan Rd, 773-274-4022), an authentic African gift shop. The gallery-like store features African artifacts, including traditional outfits, inexpensive jewelry (earrings go for around $5) and homemade pure shea butter. Once you’re done browsing, cross the street and take in a yoga or belly-dancing class for a $15 drop-in fee at Sweet Magic (6960 N Sheridan Rd, 773-764-6488). You also can catch a cheap matinee ($5) at the nearby Village North movie theater (6746 N Sheridan Rd, 773-764-9100) before heading a few blocks south to the Loyola Red Line station.

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