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Early to Bed

Jim Newberry

March 30, 2007

Baan Home
This home decor store with an Asian bent has everything to transform your nest into a perfectly feng-shui’d oasis of calm and beauty, from smooth mango wood vases to the obligatory Buddha statues. If you’ve got more cash to throw at your karma, you can invest in one of the antique painted Tibetan chests. | Tue-Thu noon-7 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-8 PM, Sun noon-7 PM | 5053 N. Clark | 773-905-1228 | baan-home.com

Early to Bed
The location of Searah Deysach’s six-year-old sex toy shop, relatively off the beaten path, is a boon to the shy and skittish, and the atmosphere inside is frank and woman-friendly. The store offers classes on everything from flirting to anal play as well as talks, author events (sex educator Betty Dodson was a recent guest), and salon-style discussions. | Tue noon-7 PM, Wed-Sat noon-9 PM, Sun noon-6 PM | 5232 N. Sheridan | 773-271-1219 | early2bed.com

Foursided
Bring in your old photos, faded letters, and treasured objects to the Uptown location of this frame store and they’ll arrange them into a framed or shadow boxed work of art. You can also buy an exquisite ready-made arrangement of someone else’s old memories by proprietor Todd Mack, as well as vintage suitcases, old globes, and other found objects. It’s like a flea market where somebody’s already weeded out all the dirty pots and shampoo samples for you. | Mon-Fri noon-7 PM, Sat 11 AM-7 PM, Sun noon-5 PM | 5061 N. Clark | 773-506-8300 | foursided.net

Hip Fit
This shop, which specializes in jeans, is not unlike your favorite pair: a little weathered, but comfy and cool. There’s an impressive selection of secondhand and vintage denim, from high-waisted to the lowest of the low, as well as new pairs from labels including Seven, True Religion, and Blue Cult. For a total look, add one of the messenger bags, newsboy caps, or giant belt buckles. | Tue-Sat 11 AM-6 PM, Sun noon-4 PM | 1513 W. Foster | 773 878-4447 | hipfitandersonville.com

Marguerite Gardens
The increasing number of storefront shops on the 5000 block of Clark convinced this landscaping company—which has offices in the building—to open its own retail outlet. Whimsically printed garden boots, watering cans, jewelry, and lotions and potions are displayed against a backdrop of evocatively worn antique shutters, iron grilles, and other salvaged pieces from the Netherlands and France, all of which are for sale. Fresh cut and potted flowers are also available. | Tue-Sat 11 AM-6 PM, Sun noon-5 PM | 5059 N. Clark | 773-506-6295 | margueritegardens.com

Sine Qua Non
The northern outpost of this wildly successful salon concentrates solely on styling the hair on your head—no waxing, no mani-pedis. It remains popular for offering edgy, relatively affordable cuts in a relaxed, attitude-free atmosphere. | Tue-Wed 1-9 PM, Thu 10 AM-9 PM, Fri 11 AM-7 PM, Sat 10 AM-6 PM | 5057 N. Clark | 773-649-0101 | sinequanonsalon.com

Tattoo Factory
In business for more than three decades, the Tattoo Factory claims to be the city’s oldest continually operating tattoo parlor. Piercing services are also available. | 10 AM-2 AM daily | 4441 N. Broadway | 773-989-4077 | tattoofactory.com

Unique So Chique
Want tea and scones served with a flourish? Have a hankering for chocolate? Need to buy a gift? Looking for interior decorating advice? Unique So Chique, at once a boutique, tea salon, and lunch spot (see Restaurants), can handle all of these requests. Local artists designed many of the goods, from T-shirts and jewelry to note cards and candles, and the exotic truffles and toffee are made right in the store from proprieter Robert Emery’s own recipe. | Tue-Fri 11:30 AM-7:30 PM, Sat 10 AM-6 PM, Sun 10 AM-5 PM | 4600 N. Magnolia | 773-561-0324 | uniquesochique.com

Uptown Bikes
It may look scruffy, but this is one of the best bike shops in the city. Don’t be intimidated by the regulars and their jargon—the down-to-earth staff offers practical, budget-minded advice, whether you’re looking for a new set of wheels or just need some parts to pimp out your ride. | Mon-Tue and Thu-Fri 11 AM-7 PM, Sat-Sun 11 AM-5 PM | 4653 N. Broadway | 773-728-5212

Wooden Spoon
Stocking everything from the good old Joy of Cooking to Le Creuset ovens, this combination cooking school and gourmet gadget shop is set up for the kitchen clueless and Trotters-in-training alike. Like many cooking-porn emporiums, a few minutes here will have you rationalizing the purchase of a stove-top smoker, even if your specialty is boiling water for ramen noodles. | Tue-Fri noon-7 PM, Sat 10 AM-6 PM, Sun noon-5 PM | 5047 N. Clark | 773-293-3190 | woodenspoonchicago.com

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