Recent Store Openings: Anjénu, Nokia, and Swirlz (Dec 06)

 Anjénu  (Fine Paper / Wicker Park)

1747 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL
773.469.2212

A recent addition to the growing Division Street shopping area in Wicker Park, this boutique is much more than a fine paper retailer. Anjenu is a fun maker with personality – feminine, hip, and witty.  

The store is as informal and friendly as an apartment, with a large wooden table dominating the room. A wall of wrapping paper displays the store's unique designs like artwork. No kitschy balloons here.  

The store's invitations and cards, created by boutique designers including philoSophies™, are more sophisticated than everyday commercial cards, more personal than informal e-vites.

There are invitations to parties, showers, weddings, mitzvahs, and housewarmings. Creatively designed cards announce and celebrate births and birthdays, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, adoptions and commitments. Cards of friendship, sympathy and love are also on hand. The custom-designed invitations are simply, unconventionally, beautiful.  

   

Local designers include Dinas Ideas, Fresh Frances and Always a Girls Girl. And owner Kristie Lee Wagner’s own Chicago inspired neighborhood cards, tied with a beautiful brown satin ribbon, is perfect for any occasion.

But style and sophistication have their limits, and you'll also find a few fun party games, pretty bath stuff, beaded jewelry, tees and one-sies. The customers are women, after all. Which is why that t-shirt says, "Does this baby make me look fat?"

 
Photos courtesy of Anjénu.

 

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Nokia   (Mag Mile)

543 N Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL
312.670.2607

Already home to a Motorola store, Chicago’s Magnificent Mile now welcomes a new Nokia store. And though it may look like a trendy sushi bar, it's the perfect place to browse for a new phone or spot the latest in bling while shopping.  

Displayed on white plastic tables, the sleek, sophisticated phones invite exploration. But the LED video screens along the walls are the stars of the main store, graphically demonstrating the capabilities of Nokia’s most advanced phones. Prices run from $99 to $700, depending on the instrument's bells, whistles and abilities. The service is knowledgeable and responsive.

But the real finds in this store are not up front. In a special back room, shoppers can gaze at a unique line of high-end phones. Unlike standard plastic Nokia phones, these Vertu phones are made of 14 karat gold. One model, encrusted in more than six karats of diamonds, costs $58,000. (Take a breath.) With ample signs of conspicuous consumption and outrageous wealth along Michigan Avenue, this phone may be sold before you get there.  

 

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Swirlz    (Lincoln Park)

705 W. Belden Ave.
Chicago, IL
773.404.CAKE

Cupcakes make people happy. That truism is the philosophy of the latest entrant in Chicago’s cupcake competition. Like the cupcakes it serves, Lincoln Park's Swirlz is small, tidy, and focused.  

The trademark swirl of icing tells you the meaning of Swirlz, while its placement in the exact center of each little cake is a sweet sign of perfection.  Neat rows of brightly colored cupcakes are a new taste-me definition of eye candy.  

The cupcakes are $3 apiece, or $34 a dozen. Flavors change every day, and the schedule of flavors may be found on the shop’s website. Chocolate, vanilla and red velvet can be counted on every day as well as a sugar-free and gluten-free option. There is always a mystery flavor.  

Though the flavor options aren’t as expansive as at other cupcake houses, the frosting and the cake are both solidly delicious. The cake is rich and moist – even the gluten-free cupcakes – and the frosting is light and buttery without being too sugary. And they’re not gargantuan, so you can convince yourself that they are not high in calories.  

Cupcakes can be packed in beautiful boxes for delivery or for takeout. Delivery prices vary, as they are based on messenger service, and orders of more than a dozen need 24 hours notice. (48 hours notice for deliveries of more than 4 dozen).  
These cupcakes are a perfect pick-up on the way to the train or bus, a sweet pick for parties and meetings.  

 

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We recommend checking with stores for product availability, prices and store hours.  Suggested prices may change without notice.  SeeMore Shopping is not responsible for errors or omissions.

SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer - C. Magnotta

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews.  Publ.  12/01/06.