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Art Effect Celebrating 30 Years on Armitage With Party, Giveaways

By Paul Biasco | November 21, 2014 5:34am
 Esther Fishman poses with her dog Willa in the original Art Effect store in 1988.
Esther Fishman poses with her dog Willa in the original Art Effect store in 1988.
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Art Effect

LINCOLN PARK — A Lincoln Park favorite for everything from hand-crafted jewelry to birdhouses crafted from hardcovers is celebrating its 30th birthday this weekend.

Art Effect has thrived along Armitage Avenue for 30 years as an independent retailer first at its location at 657 W. Armitage, and since 2001 at the current location at 934 W. Armitage.

"We have made our home on Armitage and really feel like we helped define the neighborhood," said Art Effect's owner Esther Fishman.

Fishman originally opened the shop as a 100 percent consignment store that featured clothing and accessories made by Chicago artists. It has since grown to carry contemporary clothing, jewelry, accessories and a one-of-a-kind gift selection.

"We just evolved. The store just kept getting busier and busier," she said.

Many of the current regulars Fishman has known since they were babies in the neighborhood.

"We grew up with [customers'] kids," she said. "A lot of the kids are 30 and were born when we opened around that time."

Saturday's 30th anniversary party will feature trunk shows by two local designers, Henry & Bell Jeans and Aviva Rose Jewelry, and raffle prizes given out every hour.

Prizes include a pair of Avindy earrings, Henry and Belle jeans and a set up Illume candles.

The first 30 customers to spend more than $100 will be presented with what Fishman describes as an "unbelievable' goodie bag stocked with items sent from vendors to celebrate the event.

There will also a be a free candy bar for customers.

Fishman said she never imagined the store would evolve into what it is today.

"At that age, who even thinks about 30 years in the future," she said. "It just goes so fast."

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