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This basement-level shop carries new fiction, children’s books, and African-American interest titles. Low ceilings, brick walls, and a painted cement floor all create a cozy atmosphere, conducive to browsing.

Women’s apparel with a bohemian bent and housewares gathered from around the world sell briskly at this loft-like store.

This branch of the Big Apple’s downtown department store draws together the latest cosmetics, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and men’s and women’s apparel in a minimalist, open-plan, tri-level space.

An outpost of New York’s hometown department store that features in-store designer boutiques and a well-stocked shoe department.

This arty River North shop is part art supply store, part stationer. The creative selection of cards and small gifts includes handmade stationery, cloth-covered sketchbooks, and novel desktop accessories.

Housed in the basement of the Chicago Theological Seminary on the University of Chicago campus, it’s fitting that this bookstore has a well-respected academic section, especially humanities and social sciences.

Mingle with the melting pot of shoppers at this cooperative market, where aisles are dominated by organic, vegetarian, and international foodstuffs.

This inviting store focuses on non-violent toys galore. Good-old standbys include kites, face-painting kits, balls, and dress-up clothes.

This toy store is especially fun for grownups who yearn to feel like a kid. You’ll find retro items like Mr. T coloring books, silly accessories like oversized sunglasses, and gag gifts like the tried-and-true whoopie cushion.

If you have to ask how much it costs, you should probably plan on just window-shopping along this stretch of Chicago’s upper-crust Gold Coast. Boutiques here sell designer wear, accessories, and shoes fit for a Paris runway – and include some shops exclusive to Chicago such as Tessuti (mens-wear) and Designs by Ming (custom clothing design).

This regional flagship store offers the ultimate Old Navy shopping experience, with two floors of discount jeans and T-shirts, and other casual comfort clothes at bargain prices.

Chicago’s oldest and best-known department store is most famous for its elaborate Christmas displays, dazzling Tiffany dome, and iconic clock. Nearly 100 years after opening, this flagship store continues to offer top styles for home and body (see State Street).

Some 450 stores make this stretch of North Michigan Avenue one of the world’s retail meccas. Besides sophisticated designer boutiques, there are malls (each with high-end department stores); and big-name chain and flagship stores (see Magnificent Mile).

Chicago’s oldest and best-known department store is most famous for its elaborate Christmas displays, dazzling Tiffany dome, and iconic clock. Nearly 100 years after opening, this flagship store continues to offer top styles for home and body (see State Street).

High style on sale at a fraction of the original prices lure bargain hunters to this charming little sister of the upscale and pricey Nordstrom.