Chicago shops: Where to find them

Check store websites for hours; some run on an 11 a.m.-7 p.m. schedule. Guidebooks and many online travel sites haven't kept up with the economy's effect on smaller shops, and several we planned to visit had closed. See www.littleindependent.com for more one-of-a-kind Chicago stores.

Topshop/Topman: 830 N. Michigan Av.; 1-312-280-6834; us.topshop.com

P.O.S.H.: 613 N. State St.; 1-312-280-1602; www.poshchicago.com

Ava Black: Water Tower Place level 4; 1-312-202-0708; shopavablack.com

Akira: Water Tower Place level 4; 1-312-951-5508; www.akirachicago.com

Room Service: 5438 N. Clark St.; 1-773-878-5438; roomservice-chicago.com

Andersonville Galleria: 5247 N. Clark St.; 1-773-878-8570; andersonvillegalleria.com

Brimfield: 5219 N. Clark St.; 1-773-271-3501; brimfieldus.com

Turley Road: 5239 N. Clark St.; 1-773-878-0097; www.turleyroad.com

Presence: 5216 N. Clark St.; 1-773-989-4420; www.presencechicago.com

The Monkey Gallery: 5409 1/2 N. Clark; 1-773-728-2248; themonkeygallery.com

Tula: 3738 N. Southport Av.; 1-773-549-2876; www.tulaboutique.com

Trillium: 1744 W. Division St.; 1-773-698-8162; trilliumchicago.com

p.45: 1643 N. Damen Av., 1-773-862-4523; www.p45.com

Virtu: 2034 N. Damen Av., 1-773-235-3790; virtuchicago.com

Myopic Books: 1564 N. Milwaukee Av., 1-773-862-4882; myopicbookstore.com

John Fluevog Shoes: 1539 N. Milwaukee Av.; 1-773-772-1983; www.fluevog.com

Merz Apothecary: 4716 N. Lincoln Av.; 1-773-989-0900; merzapothecary.com (downtown annex at the Palmer House Hilton: 17 E. Monroe St., 1-312-781-6900)