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Wicker Park Shopping Scene Welcomes Two New Independently Owned Boutiques

By Alisa Hauser | April 2, 2013 8:58am | Updated on April 2, 2013 9:32am

WICKER PARK — After the shuttering of a half-dozen locally owned shops comes promising news: Two new independently owned boutiques have arrived in Wicker Park.

Emma officially opened Monday at 1424 N. Milwaukee Ave. in a space that housed Ben's Shoes for more than 40 years, while Moon Voyage is planning a Monday opening next week at 2010 W. Pierce Ave.

Emma, which originally planned to open in December, joins local indie boutiques EsKell and Mildblend in the 1300-1500 blocks of North Milwaukee Avenue.

The boutique is owned by Emma Dylan, 24, and her sister, Audrey, 27.

The Dylan sisters relocated from Ann Arbor, Mich., and now live in Wicker Park.

Emma Dylan describes the style of her boutique, her first outpost and modeled after an Emma she launched in the resort town of Petosky, Mich., as "young and contemporary."

Though Dylan said only half of Emma's summer inventory is in, a walk-through showed a wide selection of comfy sweats and graphic T-shirts by Los Angeles-based Chaser clothing label, formal dresses by Whitney Eve and Costa Blanca, and lingerie by Josie.

For those looking for designer jeans, Emma sells brands like Black Orchid, BlankNYC and Rich & Skinny.

In addition to national brands, Emma features locally designed and manufactured Souldier handbags.

Emma's hours are 11 a.m-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Across town, owner Susie Lee describes Moon Voyage at 2010 W. Pierce Ave. as "chill California vibe meets New York edgy."

Moon Voyage plans to open Monday in a storefront tucked behind Penny's Noodles, about one block south of the Milwaukee-Damen-North avenues intersection and just off Damen Avenue.

The 800-square-foot space will feature women's apparel and accessories from 40 national and international labels such as Courtshop denim, Somebody's Lovin,' French brand American Retro and UK's Lazy Oaf.

Jewelry by Unearthern and Talon NYC as well as soy candles poured in-house and beauty items like slanted tweezers emblazoned with a cat face will be offered, too.

Lee said prices will range from $10 to $300.

Lee, who lives in Bucktown, said that opening a boutique has been a goal that she's been saving for for more than eight years.

Lee worked in sales at Neiman Marcus for eight years and has customer service experience bartending at West Town's High Dive, where she worked alongside Maggie McCoy, who recently opened her own venture, Hash, in West Bucktown.

"I love working with people and interacting. I am not an office chick at all," Lee said. 

Moon Voyage's hours will be 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays.