Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Akira Plays Musical Storefronts Along North, Men's Shop To Shutter for Good

By Alisa Hauser | July 16, 2015 9:53am
 Akira is closing its only men's store and having a closing sale through the end of July.
Akira Shuttering Menswear Shop, Hosting Closing Sale
View Full Caption

WICKER PARK — Akira, a Chicago-based boutique that operates several stores across the city and suburbs and runs three shops within one block, will be downsizing to just two in Wicker Park and closing its only store for men.

Closing sale signs are plastered over the windows of Akira Men; a store manager said on Wednesday that the shop will remain open for at least the next few weeks.

Launched in 2006, Akira Men at 1910 N. Milwaukee Ave. was Akira's only store dedicated to menswear.  The friendly shop offers wardrobe styling and decorates its dressing rooms with photo of local men wearing clothes bought from Akira.

Stevan Galich, a 36-year-old Wicker Park resident, has been shopping at Akira Men since it opened. 

"I'm sad to see it closing. It's always been a great, independent store to find trends without feeling overly branded. Seems to be part of the trend of independents departing the neighborhood and being replaced by national brands. I fear for the identity of Wicker Park and Bucktown becoming a shopping street you could find anywhere in the United States," Galich said.

But for those fearing a national chain moving into Akira Men spot, the good news is that it will be replaced by Akira's soon-to-be relocated women's footwear shop.

Akira Footwear — located at 1849 W. North Ave., practically across the street from Akira Men — will eventually be relocating into the menswear store, according to a worker who said that some renovations would be occurring first, so no relocation date has been set.   Meanwhile, Akira's soon-to-be former shoe store spot is for rent, according to a real estate listing.

Lastly, an Akira's women's store, launched in 2002 at 1814 W. North Ave. will remain open and is not moving, according to a sandwich board sign.

Jon Cotay, Akira's owner, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Akira Footwear will be leaving 1849 W. North Ave. and heading across the street, to 1910 W. North Ave. (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: