Photo: Courtesy of Space 519
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Space 519
Brick & mortar: 200 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611
Website: space519.com
Social media: Instagram
What: A 5,000-square-foot multi-brand department store located just off The Magnificent Mile in Chicago, offering friendly service and hard-to-find brands in fashion, beauty, home and more. A second location in Chicago’s North Shore is set to open this summer.
Owners: Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel
Origin Story: Inspired by the great department stores of the last century, and the cool European concept stores of the day, Lawson and Wetzel launched Space 519 in 2010. (They began in Space 519 of the 900 Shops, a vertical luxury shopping center on Michigan Avenue.) Their goal was to curate a broad range of items across multiple categories, bringing the very best to Chicago. They had been apparel buyers for almost a decade and found thay, in their travels, they were discovering so much more than just clothing. “We wanted to sell that perfect dress for a cocktail party, the cool host gift to take, and something to also freshen up your home or beauty routine. The store was an immediate success.” In 2018, they gut rehab’d the first floor of a prewar building a block off The Magnificent Mile. With that expansion came the cafe and food programs. “This allowed us to fully realize our initial vision.”
Photo: Courtesy of Space 519
The customer: “We always say she’s in her 30s, meaning she might be 65 but she wants to looks more current, or she might be 25 and want to look a bit more sophisticated. She’s for sure an opinion leader thus she eschews logos or the “status” items all her friends have. Most of our clients are all in: They trust us for everything from a home accessory to an eye cream, from a dress for a special occasion to the perfect Chablis for their dinner party.”
In stock: Home, wellness, beauty and women’s luxury and contemporary fashion brands such as High Sport, Completed Works, Roxanne Assoulin, Jil Sander, Proenza Schouler, Agmes, Métier and Tibi.
How to get in touch: DM on Instagram or send an email to hello@space519.com.
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Source: Fashionista.com
