Mireya Acierto

Belmont Army

855 W. Belmont
773-549-1038
belmontarmy.com

January 24, 2007

The flagship Belmont Army Navy Surplus, forced to close a couple years ago due to expansion of the adjacent CTA station, has reopened (as Belmont Army) in a new location. The four-story curving metal building on Belmont near Clark looks like it should house an Urban Outfitters—the first floor has exposed ductwork and is decorated with vintage-looking wallpaper and iron chandeliers—but the clothes seem geared toward a wider variety of ages and lifestyles. Alongside an ironically childlike green-and-blue plaid jumper with striped buttons by Scrapbook ($58), for instance, there’s a sophisticated cream double-breasted coat with a dramatic wide, buttoned collar by Ben Sherman ($229). For men, besides the ubiquitous jeans and embroidered cowboy shirts there’s a cool black tuxedo jacket with textured details and a paisley lining by 4 You ($182). The second floor has what must be the most wide-ranging shoe collection in the city, from pastel tweed peep toes ($30 and up) to giant biker boots with massive soles ($100 and up). The third floor is devoted to actual army surplus, work wear, and secondhand clothes, including puffy silver heat-resistant jackets ($69) and pants ($49). Tees emblazoned with ARMY, MARINES, or the generic SECURITY are $15. A flowered polyester dress still had a tag from “St. Mary’s Hospice,” where it originally went for three and a half pounds; here it’s $24. The top floor has sale items for now but will reopen as a skate shop in April. On a recent visit much of the space was still a work in progress, with ladders propped against walls and merch laid out on inexpensive metal shelves, but it’s clean and neat and there’s a ton to look at—a good place to shop if you’re just itching to buy. —Heather Kenny

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