WICKER PARK — A fashion wholesaler plans to open its first retail shop in Wicker Park this spring.
Mad Style, which sells women's handbags, jewelry and other accessories along with some men's items, is leasing the roughly 2,200-square-foot storefront at 1754 W. Division St. Unit 1, according to Mad Style spokesman Seth Duncan and the company's city business license.
The building used to be home to Le Thrift and M.Go Salon, which have since moved to 1821 W. Chicago Ave. and 1501 W. Chicago Ave., respectively.
Founded in 2004 by Douglas and Marta Stein, Mad Style started as a six-page catalog and once specialized in selling handbags to retailers nationwide.
The business has since expanded to include a larger catalog, several showrooms and a selection of apparel, scarves and tech accessories, according to Duncan and the company's website.
For men, the "Mad Man" collection has messenger and satchel bags along with watches, bracelets and wallets.
Though it's a "wholesale business by heart," Mad Style is ready for a store of its own to sell directly to consumers, Duncan said.
It's "a really cool, different pathway that we've been wanting to try," Duncan said.
The fashion seller focuses on more affordable versions of the styles found at designer shows, Duncan said, and it has a dedicated buyer team tasked with outfitting the shop.
"We handpick our styles of what we sell, and they're all inspired by runway trends — whether it's off of Paris, off of Milan," Duncan said.
Duncan said the company hopes to open later this month and has moved its offices from Melrose Park to the Division address in Chicago.
"It's going to be a great experience," Duncan said. "We're in a really cool spot in the area."
