Shops on Broadway near Leland Avenue. Photo: Warren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The last of Unique So Chique’s holiday events this year is the one the shop calls an annual tradition. Stocking Stuffer Night is set for Sunday, Dec. 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the boutique and tea room on North Magnolia Avenue.
The format is simple. Each guest gets a complimentary Christmas stocking at the door and is invited to fill it from the store’s shelves while holiday music plays. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres are on the house.
The fine print
There is a minimum of $25 in purchases per stocking, which keeps the evening tied to actual sales. Stockings and space are limited to the first 50 people, and reservations are required by Dec. 7. Guests must be 21 or older.
That cap is small on purpose. A boutique of this size cannot handle a crowd, and a limited guest list makes the night feel like a private party rather than a sale.
Why small shops lean on December
For independent retailers on Uptown’s side streets, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas can make the difference between a good year and a bad one. Large chains draw shoppers with discounts. Small stores compete with atmosphere, personal service and gifts that cannot be found at the mall.
Unique So Chique has built its season around a run of events: an after-Thanksgiving brunch with gift certificates for the tea room, a Gay-i-Tea holiday social on Dec. 3, and this stocking night. Each one gives regulars a reason to come back and gives newcomers a reason to find the shop.
The store is at 4600 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite C. Reservations can be made by calling (773) 561-0324.
Dana Ferraro covers property taxes, small business finance and the economy.
