FAQ Local Travel

Independent Shopping in Oak Park, IL

Oak Park has some great restaurants and well-known chain stores, but it also has a huge variety of independent shops. Below, I’ve highlighted some of the best from here in town, as well as a handful from nearby Forest Park. I’ve also created a Pinterest board with their locations marked (though there were a few that I was unable to add to the map). This isn’t an exhaustive list of stores, but it does include all of my favorites!

Update Interiors, Oak Park, IL
Update Interiors

Home

  • Update Interiors
    Furniture and amazing lighting, along with smaller decorative details for your home.

  • Refind Home
    Mid-century vintage finds, plus new eco-friendly and indie goods.

  • Moss
    A great selection of flowers, plus interesting gifts and home decor.

  • Yearbook
    A careful selection of vintage and new goods with a masculine, old collegiate feel.

  • CarefulPeach
    A French-inspired boutique with beautiful items for tabletop, bath, and kitchen.

CarefulPeach, Oak Park, IL
CarefulPeach

Women’s Clothing & Accessories

  • Gem
    A mix of edgy modern and pretty vintage-inspired jewelry.

  • Nora’s Shoe Shop
    Awesome shoes from harder to find brands.

  • Lively Running
    Running shoes for women (they’ll help you choose the right pair), and cute workout clothes.

  • Muse
    Feminine tops and dresses in a range of prices.

Gem Jewelry, Oak Park, IL
Gem

For Kids

Pumpkin Moon, Oak Park, IL
Pumpkin Moon

Books

The Book Table, Oak Park, IL
The Book Table

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • Shannon
    November 18, 2014 at 8:15 am

    That navy blue wall color in Update Interiors is beyond gorgeous! I wish we had more independent shops where I live!!

  • Caroline
    November 18, 2014 at 8:38 am

    Thank you so much for this list just in time for the holidays! I live in Oak Park but somehow have never been to many of these places so I can’t wait to visit them, maybe when the cold snap breaks!

  • Laura @ Rather Square
    November 18, 2014 at 9:34 am

    Nice list! I love Gepetto’s and the Book Table. There are a few places you’ve listed that I haven’t been to yet, so I’ll have to check those out. Oak Park has so many great local shops to support.

  • Laura
    November 18, 2014 at 9:48 am

    Now you’re making me want to take a jaunt to Oak Park – I need to pick up yarn at Knot Just Knits anyway… ;)

  • Stephy
    November 18, 2014 at 9:58 am

    Thank you for this! I live in the OP and I have never seen those home stores (except for Yearbook). Excited to check out CarefulPeach!

  • sandi m
    November 18, 2014 at 11:00 am

    I have been to all of them … and there’s so many more …

  • Barbara A. Dolan
    November 18, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Does registering for Derby Lite classes count as independent shopping? We are an Oak Park business, after all. ;o)

  • Mary
    November 18, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Scratch ‘n Sniff is awesome as well! It’s full of quirky cute things, as well as sweet treats for pets :)

  • judy
    November 18, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Nicole-do you happen to know what the dark blue paint is behind the gold starburst mirror I am looking for a shade like that but boy are there some weird shades of what is supposed to be Navy when I get home with the chips. They all seem to turn drab and depressing

  • Beth Peluse
    November 18, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Love love love Muse and ComfortPeach! And always have to stop off at the Marion Street Cheese Market for some tasty wine and cheese!

  • Katie
    November 18, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    Oh my gosh I’m so excited about this list! Loving the suggestions from the comments section too. I moved to Oak Park this summer and have driven past a few of these shops, some today actually. I can’t wait to pop in and check them all out!

  • Sarah
    November 19, 2014 at 9:58 am

    Don’t forget about Oak Park Vintage Market!

  • Antonia
    November 19, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks for making my holiday shopping easier! I’ve only lived in Oak Park for a year and there are some gems in here I hadn’t heard of.

  • Alma K
    November 19, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    Great list. May I add Jayne for its Anthropologie-like style (at less than Anthro prices) and the Old School Records for the vinyl geek in your life?

  • laura k
    November 20, 2014 at 7:36 am

    Nicole, thank you for the nod to all these great local shops in oak park! we are lucky to live in a community with such a diverse array of creative local and independent shopping options–

  • M
    November 20, 2014 at 10:30 am

    I love this feature! So happy to see such a great piece on all the local “gems”! If I had to narrow it down to only one favorite, I could not. Yearbook, Moss, and Refined Home are great Forest Park “gems”.
    We are very lucky to have so many great shops in close proximity. I agree with Alma K, ” Jayne” is a great one to add to the list! Not only do they have such a cute selection with an Anthropologie feel, but their staff and customer service is top notch!
    Again, many thanks for supporting local!
    Here’s a something I came across that I found interesting on shopping local:
    “If each of us spent $100 a year more on local businesses instead of chain stores, it would put an extra $3 million a year into our economy, not only that but it would create thousands more jobs every year.
    #supportlocalbusinesses

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