Uniqlo is a Japanese clothing store that is a relatively new clothing option to the American market. I've been getting clothes from Uniqlo for several years when I was living in New York and now I am thrilled to have a location open in Chicago this past October. Uniqlo is known for offering everyday casual pieces of clothing that are affordable and well-made. They offer lots of basic styles for casual wardrobes with lots of colors and patterns.
To celebrate the store opening, the second largest location in the US, the store offered several promotional CTA 'train takeovers' inside the Loop downtown. For free admission, people could schedule a half hour time slot to get promotional goodies and treats to celebrate the store opening. I was lucky to go with my colleague Caroline and we snagged ourselves some sushi candy, saw professional covert dancers break into dance with a live DJ, and we were able to literally bounce around the Loop for a very fun experience.
Since the opening of the store I've been several times to pick up some jeans, a sweater, and check out the great view from their third floor Starbucks. Uniqlo is a great addition to Chicago and I'm very happy it came to town.
The home furnishings store Restoration Hardware recently opened it's Mid-Western flagship store in Chicago inside a historic building called the Three Arts Club. Featuring four floors and an outdoor roof-top deck, the building is an architectural gem and it was really wonderful walking around inside of it on a Sunday afternoon several weeks ago. The renovation included a restaurant inside an atrium, which set the tone of causal but elegant style that Restoration Hardware is trying to achieve. I found some of the placements of chandeliers over beds somewhat unusual and over-the-top, but overall the decor was tasteful and well designed.
