Chicago - help for brick and mortar

[aodenkou]

Hi I will be going to Chicago over the weekend. I was wondering if anyone knows of a brick and mortal that might carry shaving "needs" esp. brushes. I would like to put my hands on and see and feel brushes.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[bladebuff]

Merz Apothecary - two locations, the main store is in Lincoln Square, out on N. Lincoln Ave or for a smaller shaving collection on the main floor of Macy's downtown on State St. (check online at www.smallflower.com)
T&H - located 6th floor 900 N. Michigan Ave Mall (Bloomingdales)

 

[baba]

Get down to Macy's on State street...it's the old Marshal Field department store. On the first floor there is a Merz Apothocary section. Merz is an old Chicago Pharmacy, you can visit the original store at 4716 N Lincoln avenue as well, but I prefer the Merz at Macy's because it has a bit more space and you can get your hands on pretty much everything without having to ask for it to be retrieved from behind a counter.

At Merz ask for Rene, she is fantastic and very knowledgeable about most all of the amazing products that Merz's carries. I just spoke to her this weekend and told her about Badger and Blade, I was there Sunday doing some shopping with my daughter, so make sure you mention that Badger and Blade sent you, maybe if enough of us mention it, they would give a discount of some sort.

Also at Macy's on the same level is an Art of Shave counter. Look for the old barber chair, you cant miss it.

A bit pricier but just as interesting...There is a Truefitt and Hill at 900 North Michigan avenue on Level 6 and L'Occitane on level 1 both carry lots of shave soaps and creams, but Truefitt has it all and you can get an appointment for a straight razor shave while your in town...just check the price list first.

For a fun barber shop adventure that makes you feel like you are in a 70's mob movie, try Alfredo's Barber shop at 833 N. State Street, a great place with great people. Don't expect anything fancy. They don't sell any shave products but if you need a haircut for 20 bucks plus a 5 dollar tip...and want to get a 70's barber shop feel...this is the place. You get to shoot the breeze with the "fellas" and get a straight razor clean up at the end of the haircut. Just like old times.

There is also a place called State Street Barbers, oddly enough, not on State street.

There is more...but hopefully this will get you started!

Have a great trip.

Baba (Jim)

 

[Tha Baron]

Also, don't forget the Crabtree & Evelyn and C.O. Bigelow stores in the Tower Place Mall at 835 N Michigan (across the street from 900 N where T7H is)...

 

[Sterling Cooper]

Not sure when you're getting in, but if you want to get a haircut and a straight shave on Friday morning, Civic Opera Barbers. They're on the 15th floor of the Opera Building and have been since the early 70s. Great old school Italian-American barbers. A cut and straight shave will run you $45. Shoeshine is $5 extra.

As others have mentioned, Truefitt and Merz are the biggies. If you have time, the original Merz in Lincoln Square is a somewhat better option than the boutique in Macy's. The latter is still pretty impressive though. State St. Macy's also has a small Art of Shaving boutique should you feel the need to pick up a $150 Fusion handle. Seriously, they will have all the soaps and creams also.

Neiman Marcus has all the Creed colognes out for sampling. Truefitt has all of their colognes, plus the full lines from Floris, Penhaligons and Castle Forbes out.

For shaving goods it pretty much breaks down as follows.

Truefitt: T+H, Penhaligon's, Castle Forbes, Floris plus a wide selection of Merkurs, straights and brushes.

Merz: GFT, TOBS, SMN, Proraso, Tabac, Pre de Provence, Provence Sante, Cella, Royall and another half dozen at least that escape me....plus a wide selection of Merkurs, straights and brushes.

 

[crocto]

there's the truefitt & hill at 900 N michigan ave. which is only a short walk from awesome pizza!

seriously what could be better than chicago deep dish, an old style and some new shaving stuff?

 

[aodenkou]

OH be still my beating heart Looks like I am going to have to take a bit of extra cash along with me I feel AD kicking in.......

Thanks - I think I'll let you know how bad the AD was when I get back

 

[The Nid Hog]

Merz on Lincoln Square is the way to go. Great place, great service. Some excellent local restaurants in the area too. Gets you out of the tourist traps downtown.

 

[aodenkou]

Get down to Macy's on State street...<snip>
At Merz ask for Rene, she is fantastic and very knowledgeable about most all of the amazing products that Merz's carries.
Baba (Jim)

Just let there and spoke to Rene - bought a Kent brush and some Coconut shave cream. Doing this during a lecture so not a lot of time to think but - got a chance to hold and touch some brushes and was able to make a pick. Good opportunity, but it was very quick shopping spree.

More later.....

 

[baba]

Just let there and spoke to Rene - bought a Kent brush and some Coconut shave cream. Doing this during a lecture so not a lot of time to think but - got a chance to hold and touch some brushes and was able to make a pick. Good opportunity, but it was very quick shopping spree.

More later.....

That's great, I'm glad it worked out. As luck would have it I was in the area today for work, and took a walk down there as well.

What brush did you end up going with...and what are your thought's on Merz?

 

[Mr_Amazing]

Just as an FYI, taxes are higher at businesses located inside the Loop. Being that Macy's is in the loop, I suggest trying the Merz up on Lincoln Avenue because you'll save on tax a little bit.

 

[aodenkou]

It would be nice to get up there but Lincoln Ave. is farther than I want to go, I would have to get a cab and I have limited time. I had an hour to have lunch, shop, get to and from a shop. So I made a quick trip to Truefitt & Hill just now and spent more than I planned. Got a Truefitt & Hill Style 1 Large Silvertip Horn - it felt really nice in hand. I wanted a new brush but wanted to "touch" something before I put out money.

Also I picked up a Truefitt & Hill lime shaving cream - OH does that smell good! Can't wait for the morning!

 

[baba]

It would be nice to get up there but Lincoln Ave. is farther than I want to go, I would have to get a cab and I have limited time. I had an hour to have lunch, shop, get to and from a shop. So I made a quick trip to Truefitt & Hill just now and spent more than I planned. Got a Truefitt & Hill Style 1 Large Silvertip Horn - it felt really nice in hand. I wanted a new brush but wanted to "touch" something before I put out money.

Also I picked up a Truefitt & Hill lime shaving cream - OH does that smell good! Can't wait for the morning!

Glad it worked out...so you did find Rene? Did she treat you well?

 

[uofi1963]

If you get the chance again, try to find the time to take a Brown Line L train from the Loop to Lincoln Square at the Western stop. First, it's a terrific, low cost and scenic ride that winds its way among streets, alleys, Wrigley Field and some lovely neighborhoods. You don't need a taxi!

Merz is within a block of the L station, it's a cute street and there's some great places to eat.

 

[aodenkou]

If you get the chance again, try to find the time to take a Brown Line L train from the Loop to Lincoln Square at the Western stop. First, it's a terrific, low cost and scenic ride that winds its way among streets, alleys, Wrigley Field and some lovely neighborhoods. You don't need a taxi!

Merz is within a block of the L station, it's a cute street and there's some great places to eat.

I would love to do that but time is the enemy here. Just don't have it......

I did get to Mertz and Rene was a treat. Very nice and quite a personality

Found out we had a bit more in common than just an interest in the products - I am in the martial arts and she lived in Indonesia and studied Penjak Silat which is a martial art there.....

Anyway - I spent more money than I wanted over the weekend but OMG I am going to have some luxury shaving now

I just had to try out the Truefitt & Hill brush I bought and a bit of their lime shaving cream. OHHHHHHHHHH I think I have some new favorites!

I was very surprised that the cost of the Kent brush and the Truffit & Hill were about the same but there is a big difference. If I would have had the opportunity to shop both places and pick one it would have been the T&H over the Kent. But don't get me wrong the Kent seems to be a great brush.

But when it comes to the cream - Coconut from Trumper's and the West Indian Limes from Truefitt & Hill I can't make up my mind. The sent makes me want to shave twice in the morning