Business still expands in Logan Square as two new ventures launch, a local flower shop expands and a tattoo shop serves the neighborhood. Additionally, we say goodbye to our Italian ice shop until next summer.
Rocky + Luella Features Unique Style
Rocky + Luella (@RockyLuella, 3207 W. Fullerton Ave.) opened Sept. 28 with a welcoming happy hour the night before. The new boutique’s name is one co-owner Kate Bunton has held onto since childhood. “Rocky is a Denver Broncos’ jersey-sporting troll doll and Luella is a very ugly Cabbage Patch Kid,” Bunton says. “My cousin carried them everywhere. I always thought the combination would be a good name for a boutique.”
Bunton, who has degrees in art history and business, teamed up with former Anthropologie co-worker Julia Korol to open Rocky + Luella, a venture they dreamed up one day over coffee.
Bunton and Korol’s goal is to feature clothing and accessory brands that aren’t featured elsewhere. Their current collection comes from Honoré, a brand from Paris with no U.S. stores. Rocky + Luella also features Chicago-designed Claranette jewelry and is open to housing more local talents that fit with the store’s style.
“We carry classic, simple designs with a modern feel,” Bunton says. “We only stock what we would want to wear ourselves, so we’re careful to choose natural fabrics—no polyester on our shelves.” That means 100% wool sweaters and 100% cotton tees, for women and men. “We choose designers who use quality materials and quality construction, so what you purchase will not only go with everything, but will last you a long time,” Bunton adds.
As for the location? Korol says it fit what they wanted and was ready to go when they were. “It’s not central, but so many people live over here,” she says. “There is a lot of foot traffic.”
Inside you find there’s a distinct Americana vibe with a color scheme accented by a remarkable red chair strategically placed by the fitting area, where you’re sure to find boyfriends comfortably waiting for their partners to finish modeling classic navy silk dresses.
Nakama Toys Brings Japanese Toys to Logan
Hello Kitty may no longer be a feline, any more than Pluto is a planet (we’ll hold on to our childhoods, thank you very much), but if it’s legit Japanese toys you’re after, Nakama Toys (@Nakamatoys, 2504 N. California Ave.) is ready to fill that collectibles shelf with items from popular anime, video games and even Godzilla.
Owners Bryan and Mary Warren opened the store in July 2014, naming it for the Japanese word for friendship—a perfect representation for the type of connection they want with their customers. Huge fans of things such as sci-fi, anime and Power Rangers, the couple met working in retail and now only work with Japanese brands, such as Bandai, to ensure the best quality for those who shop with them.
Veterans of Chicago conventions C2e2 and ACEN, the pair says, “We love the excitement of Chicago collectors so much!”
Fleur Flower Shop Moves and Expands
The roses, lilies and hydrangeas are moving to a new home in Logan Square, but the colorful creations from Kelly Marie Thompson, owner of Fleur (@Fleurinc, 2651 N. Milwaukee Ave.), will remain the same—custom. Paper covers the windows of the Logan Boulevard located shop starting Oct. 5, after a decade’s occupancy, with Thompson and Fleur’s new spot, directly across from the Logan Theatre, opening later in October.
Fleur will continue to provide beautiful bouquets and centerpieces for weddings and corporate events, as well as whatever your unique flower needs might be, from a bigger, brighter “green” house.
The 1,800-square-foot space will help expand the Logan Square store into retail. Thompson says, “We hadn’t expected to move, but we are looking forward to the changes. Once we are settled, we’ll begin offering classes and workshops.”
Logan Square Tattoo Offers Authentic Design
Standard tattoo shops have rows of possibilities hanging from flippable poster displays, but Logan Square Tattoo (2352 N. Milwaukee Ave.) is not your standard tattoo shop. In fact, full-timers Gifford Kasen and Su Houston prefer to call the place a gallery because they say that what they create is art.
“We are a small custom studio, so all the work we do we’ve personally drawn,” Kasen says. Kasen and Houston take appointments and walk-ins and hope to continue adding to their growing list of guest artists. Website coming soon at www.logansquaretattoo.com. Follow them on Instagram as @LoganSquareTattoo.
Miko’s Closed for the Season
Shutting down for the season Oct. 3, Miko’s Italian Ice (@MikosItalianIce, 2234 N. Sacramento Ave.) thanked Logan Square for another great season. It’s as if they knew the ice would be coming from somewhere else soon. They will reopen in the spring. For frosty fixes like dipped cones with sprinkles, head over to Tastee Freez (2815 W. Armitage Ave.) while you still can.
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