PILSEN — Reclaimed furniture shop Modern Cooperative plans to expand, making way for new vendors and a mini boutique in the store.
Owners of the shop, which also features locally handmade goods, will knock down a wall and expand into a neighboring storefront in Thalia Hall. The new store will offer up 4,500 square feet of mid-century modern furniture, decor and gifts.
Co-owner Tiffany Paige said the move will make Modern Cooperative one of the largest vintage and handmade boutiques of its kind in Chicago.
"We're very, very busy. It's wonderful and the neighborhood — actually all of Chicago — has been very supportive," Paige said at the store Thursday.
As part of the expansion, Modern Cooperative will team up with Chicago-based Lost Girls Vintage, a mobile vintage clothing boutique, to open a permanent shop featuring their vintage finds.
The new mini boutique will feature men's and women's on-trend vintage clothing and accessories, Paige said.
Classes are coming to the shop, too. For the first time, Modern Cooperative handmade vendors will teach their crafts at the shop, including weaving, block printing, macrame and more. ModCo Crafty Classes will begin in January.
"There are endless possibilities of what we can teach," she said.
With the expansion, Modern Cooperative will add more vintage furniture and a new line of custom furniture inspired by the shop's mid-century modern focus. The store will also begin carrying hand-printed baby onesies and beauty products, Paige said.
The store is expanding into a space currently occupied by Belli's market and juice bar, which is moving to another neighboring storefront.
Modern Cooperative opened in May 2012 in a storefront at 818 W. 18th St. before moving into one of Thalia Hall's three retail spaces in September 2013.
Owners will host a preview party at the store, 1215 W. 18th St., during the Pilsen Art Walk from 6-11 p.m. Nov. 14, and a grand opening party with cocktails, snacks and 20 percent off all vintage from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 15.
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