Vintage Smith

“The part I have a hard time with, buying things I wouldn’t pick out for myself.”
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The Fall Three in my Secret Fort

Mr. James Wilson of Secret Forts, one of my earliest supporters and the deepest fount of inspiration, was kind enough to ask me to contribute again to his round up of great stuff for fall: The Fall Three. I feel so lucky to have been included in the group.

Thanks to James, and thanks to Nathan Michael for the photo, Ken Hunemeder of Goose Island for the beer photo.

Also, a note for James’ many devotees: he moved! He now resides, quite comfortably at  – www.secretforts.com. Update your feeds, links, and readers.

Dose Market in the News

The Dose Market ladies put together this lovely video with Middle Mind Project.

Two weekends ago, in an article written by Eater Chicago’s Ari Bendersky, they were featured in the Travel section of the New York Times.

Dose rides again this Sunday, the 25th of September. I’m excited to try on the wristwatch commissioned by Harry Truman currently for sale at Division St. Watch Company, check out the new fall wares from my favorite shop in town, Penelope’s, and eat some smoked salmon and peanut brittle… potentially at the same time.

Oh and look for Dose to get a lot more dude-friendly, particularly in the soft goods department come October 16th when a certain sporting goods store will be making its Chicago debut, and it’s my understanding they may be surrounded by some of their closest friends in the retail business.

Until then, read my previous write-up of the market, and let me know if you’re heading to Dose this weekend. I’ll be there in plaid.

Dose Market
at the River East Arts Center
435 East Illinois Street
Chicago, IL
60611

Altman’s Shoes

In my wildest dreams this place didn’t exist.

When I think about Al Capone, I imagine he looked after all these backroom hideouts, secret underground passageways, and speakeasies beneath every street in Chicago.

The Altmans are the Al Capones of men’s footwear. Under their postage-stamp-sized shoe store in Chicago’s Loop, for the last 30 years, in something like 20 rooms, they have amassed over 20,000 pairs of deadstock, vintage shoes.
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The News is All Plaidout

Recently, I contributed more than my five cents to Barneys New York’s The Window. It’s part of a series they’re calling Personalities.

In the same week, Chicago’s outpost of Refinery29 listed me among the city’s “cutest bloggers.”

Thank you to Emily, Jessica, Jessica, Kim, and Shani. It truly made my day to be featured on your sites.