Anybody been to Merz Apothecary in Downtown Chicago?

[Cochese2323]

I am getting married Aug 4th and we are going on a mini-honeymoon to Chicago for a few days the following week. We will be staying downtown on the Magnificent Mile and thru searching the board, I found Merz to be the place to check out. I am wondering if they sell Simpson brushes. I have been itching to buy a Simpson and being able to actually see them first hand would be much better than ordering online.

Also, anybody have any other suggestions of places to check out in Chicago?

Thanks

 

[Mick]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!

No help with suggestions about Chicago from me I'm afraid

 

[Absolute Mustard]

I was in Chicago last year and I did not know if this place till I came back. I was kicking myself for a while. Merz is a must.

 

[Cochese2323]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!

No help with suggestions about Chicago from me I'm afraid

Thanks man. Is it weird that I am already thinking about what gear I am going to use to shave that day?

 

[RaiserLiebe]

Indeed they do sell Simpson's http://www.smallflower.com/category.cfm/browse/men-shave-brushes/brand/simpson
I visited the non-downtown location (Lincoln Square?). The selection and variety were nothing short of ASTOUNDING. The staff could not have been more pleasent or helpful. One great thing-my wallet was hundreds of times lighter when I left the store, so it was very easy to carry!!
Cheers!

 

[the_edski]

I believe they may have Simpsons brushes in the case at Merz. Even if they dont, they have some other sweet looking brushes and razors on display, ask a worker to unlock it for you, even just to look. You will be there for hours, be ready! Have a drink at the Palmer House Hilton that Merz is located inside of and stare up at the ceiling, it is very ornate! Mag Mile, eh? Just walk up and down it and window shop or go inside at whatever catches your fancy. Make sure to stop in the Water Tower Place , depending on the tastes of you and the missus, you can spend the whole day there. Congrats on the marriage!

 

[Cochese2323]

Indeed they do sell Simpson's http://www.smallflower.com/category.cfm/browse/men-shave-brushes/brand/simpson
I visited the non-downtown location (Lincoln Square?). The selection and variety were nothing short of ASTOUNDING. The staff could not have been more pleasent or helpful. One great thing-my wallet was hundreds of times lighter when I left the store, so it was very easy to carry!!
Cheers!

That is excellent to know. If they do not have a good selection downtown, at least I can stop at that location on my way out of town. And I am sure my wallet will experience similar effects while there.

 

[Cochese2323]

I believe they may have Simpsons brushes in the case at Merz. Even if they dont, they have some other sweet looking brushes and razors on display, ask a worker to unlock it for you, even just to look. You will be there for hours, be ready! Have a drink at the Palmer House Hilton that Merz is located inside of and stare up at the ceiling, it is very ornate! Mag Mile, eh? Just walk up and down it and window shop or go inside at whatever catches your fancy. Make sure to stop in the Water Tower Place , depending on the tastes of you and the missus, you can spend the whole day there. Congrats on the marriage!

Thanks Ed. We have actually been to Chicago a few times before, but I haven't been there since I started wet shaving. We are going to do the whole Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, etc stuff. She has never done that stuff before. Should be a good time.

 

[Jawaburger]

Thanks Ed. We have actually been to Chicago a few times before, but I haven't been there since I started wet shaving. We are going to do the whole Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, etc stuff. She has never done that stuff before. Should be a good time.

There are a lot of great attractions in that area: The Art Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum as well as the ones you listed; Science and Industry being my favorite.

 

[trdjohn]

Yeah I work in the loop and occasionally run over to Merz at the Palmer House, selection is decent, its at the back of the store for most of the hard core shave stuff. They always have a dozen or so new DE safety razors in the case, and some brushes as well, but think the Loop location supply is limited compared to the location up in Lincoln Sq, it is definitely much deeper up there. Staff is friendly at both locations and don't give you the evil eye if you stand there and sniff everything under the sun.

 

[the_edski]

They also have every single Pinaud AS/ hair tonic/ Eau de whatever available to sniff or try as testers. So if you are curious about any scent, take this opportunity to try them!

 

[MaxP]

Since you're going to be on Michigan Ave, be sure to go to the Truefitt & Hill shop in the 900 Michigan Ave shops. And while there, get samples from the jar on the counter. If you want a sample of something that's not in the jar, ASK. They'll make a sample for you of most things, especially creams.

And, beware, sales tax in Chicago is 9.5%! Ouch!

Have fun. And Congrats on the upcoming wedding. I wish you many happy years together.

 

[Cochese2323]

Since you're going to be on Michigan Ave, be sure to go to the Truefitt & Hill shop in the 900 Michigan Ave shops. And while there, get samples from the jar on the counter. If you want a sample of something that's not in the jar, ASK. They'll make a sample for you of most things, especially creams.

And, beware, sales tax in Chicago is 9.5%! Ouch!

Have fun. And Congrats on the upcoming wedding. I wish you many happy years together.

Yeah the sales tax sucks, but I am an impulse shopper so I am sure I will walk out with a bunch of crap

 

[paco664]

congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cochese2323]

congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks man! Been cheating on my straight razor lately so I haven't been over in your neck of the woods lately.

 

[paco664]

Thanks man! Been cheating on my straight razor lately so I haven't been over in your neck of the woods lately.

its all good... i ain't shaved in 3 days..... i just don't feel up to it...

 

[not4pr0phet]

Was just there the other day and can confirm that they have a small selection of Simpsons at that location.

 

[Cochese2323]

Was just there the other day and can confirm that they have a small selection of Simpsons at that location.

Excellent. Thank you!

 

[retiredguns]

Merz is great but I never go without feeling compelled to buy something as the stuff is friendly and more than willing to let you look, hold, sniff, try anything you want. I also make sure I let the Misses buy something special to ease my guilt!

 

[Cochese2323]

I am pretty pumped up to go there now. My nose is going to be working double overtime. For me, scent is really important for products. There are so many good performing soaps, creams, aftershaves, etc available, it all comes down to what I or SWMBO likes to smell on my face. To be able to browse products before buying them is a dream come true. I can't even imagine if I lived by West Coast Shaving, Bull Goose or Pasteur Pharmacy.....my wallet would be weightless.