There's more to shopping in Portage Park than the national chains clustered around Six Corners. Locally owned options in the neighborhood include not one but two massive costume shops and a "megastore" outpost of a beloved local bike shop. Find Polish literature and Romanian meats at two longstanding stores, or visit the new kids on the block for this week's comics fix and some fancy teas.
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This year-round shop not only has plenty for Halloween but also carries a large selection of masquerade masks (the largest in the Midwest!), as well as more than 1,000 rental costumes. Expect to see anything from a Kool-Aid costume to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with choices from toddler on up. You'll also find an impressive selection of makeup and indoor and outdoor decor.
From Batman to Elsa and everything in between, this costume shop has plenty of choices for kids and kids at heart. Find costumes, accessories, makeup, and even pet costumes. This is one of the few Halloween shops that is open year-round for all of your dress-up needs.
Rep Chi keeps its store stocked with plenty of Chicago love. The shop boasts patches, shirts, keychains, hats and more that proudly display the Chicago flag, CTA map and other Chicago-centric designs. Stop here first for gifts for anyone on your list that loves the city or is missing it from afar. The store creates custom designs and crafts gifts made with recycled items.
Opened in 1969, Polonia lays claim to being the largest Polish bookstore in America, carrying Polish literature and Polish-language translations of books from the bestseller lists, as well as English-language texts on Polish subjects.
Established in 2014, this Northwest Side comics shop features new releases, a large back-issues selection, toys and games. The store hosts weekly gaming sessions for devotees of D&D, Magic the Gathering and Heroclix.
Brothers David and Damian Ratulowski opened this tea shop in 2014, carrying loose-leaf teas in dozens of varieties along with accessories like strainers, tea pots and mugs. You can also order hot or iced tea to enjoy in the café.
Stock up on housemade Romanian sausages and pates at this tiny but friendly European market.
This third-generation, family-owned business opened its first shop on the South Side in 1944. Since then, it's expanded to four locations, offering a wide variety of bikes for casual to serious cyclists: road, hybrid, comfort, mountain, triathlon, electric, folding, commuter, cyclocross, cruisers, womens, bmx and kids. Brands include Cannondale, Colnago, Dahon, DK, Electra-Townie, Giant, GT, Schwinn and more. Kozy also sells helmets, accessories, shoes, parts, tires, wheels and car racks.
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