Fashion Forward by Renae: Changes on the Magnificent Mile

Thursday, November 20, 2008

This year as you venture out to do your holiday shopping or go to see the lights on Michigan Avenue, you may notice some changes. Some new stores have opened, others have moved locations and others have closed. The transformation will continue in 2009, as additional stores move in. Here's the scoop:

American Girl Place, which moved into the old Lord & Taylor store in Water Tower Place, has opened its doors to thousands of little girls looking for dolls and doll accessories.

Michael Kors has opened a lifestyle boutique at the 900 N. Michigan Shops. Another Kors store in the same location will open in 2009 and feature the designer's collection line.

Cusp, the hip boutique from Neiman Marcus, is now open in Water Tower Place.

Zara, Spanish clothing retailer with numerous international locations, will give H&M some competition with its new outpost at 700 N. Michigan Ave. Zara is rehabbing Chicago Place, and the upper floors will feature a hotel.

Talbot's is closing (Zara takes its place in the same location).

Columbia Sportswear will open a retail space at 830 N. Michigan Ave. in late spring of 2009.

As Michigan Avenue continues to transform over the years, Chicagoans can always count on the Magnificent Mile as one of the hottest spots to find new shopping destinations--it's even worth fighting a little tourist traffic to get there.

Labels: chicago, fashion, shopping