Page 25 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – November 2019

Chicago offers a plethora of options for the consumer or browser. By John T. Garcia
Among the many things that Ferris Bueller did in Chicago on his infamous Day Off, one thing he did not do was go shopping. But, if he did, there
is no doubt he would not have had a hard time finding where to go.
And you should start at the beginning with the Marshall Field and Co. Building in downtown Chicago. Rebuilt after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and then rebuilt again after another fire, the current building has stood since 1906 and is the second-largest retail store in North America. Besides being a Macy’s now, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been declared a National Historic Landmark, so it’s worth visiting if you are not shopping. It features some impressive architecture, which includes a mosaic vaulted ceiling designed by Louis Comfort
If you are looking for high-end fashions or want to window shop, then head north to Oak Street since it’s cheaper than flying to Italy or France.
istock.com/ fotostorm istock.com/ DC_Colombia
Tiffany. The store was the first to offer a bridal registry and provide personal shopping assistants, have escalators in the stores and have a restaurant in a department store. That restaurant, the Walnut Room, remains open today and you can find it on the seventh floor, along with other eateries.
The Marshall Field and Co. Building is at 111 N. State Street in what is considered the Chicago Loop area of the city. Across the street, you will find Block 37, a five-story mall with a dine-in movie theater on the top level. Block 37, named after one of the original city blocks in the 1830s, features beauty and fashion retailers. But its real draw is its Latinicity Food Hall & Lounge, which spotlights award-winning chefs in a variety of restaurants.
Walking a couple of blocks south of Block 37 and Marshall Field’s, you might need some new shoes.
But you’ll be in luck because along State Street you will find flagship stores for Footaction, DSW, Skechers, Vans and even Crocs. There is also a House of Hoops by Foot Locker.
If you are looking for high-end fashions or want to window shop, then head north to Oak Street since it’s cheaper than flying to Italy or France. Here you will find boutiques from designers such as Christian Louboutin, Armani, Prada, Hermes, as well as Tory Burch, Jimmy Choo, Vera Wang and Harry Winston.
Continued on page 24
NOVEMBER 2019 | 23