MLA ‘08 Blog

The Hyatt Regency is steps from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, a shopping mecca. You’ll find everything from . . .

• Department stores (Barneys, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Nieman Marcus, Saks)
• Designer boutiques (Kate Spade, Hermes, Ferragamo, Burberry . . .)
• Specialty shops (Tender Buttons, Sur La Table, and more . . .)

In addition to the storefronts lining Michigan Avenue, there are multiple indoor shopping centers (900 N. Michigan and Water Tower Place), and dozens of side streets worth exploring. This map shows just a few of the retailers on the “Mag Mile”.

If you love a good deal, don’t overlook the shopping on State Street in the Loop. Cruise the shoe racks (and other clothes and accessories) at Nordstrom Rack. Haunt the (designer) Back Room at Loehmann’s. Brag about your deal from Filene’s Basement. A map of retailers is available here.

For additional unique finds, take the CTA blue line train to Damen and explore the boutiques of Wicker Park and Bucktown.

We talk about great architecture, entertainment, food . . . but as conference-goers ourselves, the LAC knows that sometimes you just need to find the basic necessities. Here are a just a few, with locations near the conference hotel.

Have a request or suggestion? Leave us a comment below or stop by the MLA Hospitality Booth.

Pharmacies

Walgreens
Address: 300 North Michigan Avenue
Phone: 312-558-9079
Pharmacy Hours: M-F 8am-6pm
Store Hours: M-F 6:30am-10pm, Sa 8am-9pm, Su 9am-9pm

Address: 430 North Michigan Avenue (just across the bridge)
Phone: 312-321-0951
Pharmacy Hours: M-F 7am-8pm, Sa 9am-5pm, Su 10am-6pm
Store Hours: M-F 7-12am, Sa/Su 8-12am

CVS
Address: 205 North Michigan Avenue
Phone: 312-938-4091 (pharmacy)
Pharmacy Hours: M-F 6:30am-7:30pm, Sa 8am-4:00 PM
Store Hours: M-F 6:30am-10pm, Sa 8am-10pm, Su 8am-4pm

24-hour Pharmacy
Walgreens, at the corner of Michigan and Chicago Avenues
Phone: 312-664-8686

Mailings

U.S. Post Office
Address: 227 E. Ontario (map)
Phone: 312-642-3576
Hours: M-F 8am-6:30pm

FedEx Kinko’s
Address: 111 E. Wacker
Phone: 312-938-0650
Hours: M-F 6am-8pm, Sa 7am-5pm, Su Closed

Copies

FedEx Kinko’s
Address: 111 E. Wacker
Phone: 312-938-0650
Hours: M-F 6am-8pm, Sa 7am-5pm, Su Closed

Groceries

Dominick’s (supermarket chain)
Address: 255 E. Grand (map)
Phone: 312-279-1309
Hours: 6am-10pm daily

Fox & Obel Food Store (gourmet market & deli)
Address: 401 E. Illinois St. (map)
Phone: 312-410-7301
Hours: 7am-9pm daily

Late summer into early fall is a busy time for many of us, as we welcome new students, faculty, and house staff. But after you’ve given the last library tour of the day, why not reward yourself with a little escape to Chicago . . . via a good read.

From Sara Paretsky to Carl Sandburg. From meatpacking to time traveling. There’s something for everyone. . . . Check out the city’s first annual adult summer reading list for a literary taste of Chicago, courtesy of the Chicago Public Library.

And once we’ve whet your appetite, we hope to see you in Chicago next May!

Insider Tip: Take a quick trip to the Printer’s Row neighborhood, just 1.5 miles south of the Hyatt Regency, and browse a couple of great independent bookstores. Printers Row Fine & Rare Books, Editor’s Pick for Citysearches Best Chicago Bookstore in 2006, features antiquarian books in world literature, philosophy, and the natural sciences. Family-owned and operated Sandmeyer’s Bookstore features new titles, children’s books, and travel guides.

Printer’s Row Fine & Rare
Address: 715 S. Dearborn St.
Phone: 312-583-1800
URL: http://www.printersrowbooks.com

Sandmeyer’s Bookstore
Address: 714 S. Dearborn St.
Phone: 312-922-2104
URL: http://www.sandmeyersbookstore.com

- Kristin Hitchcock