BUCKTOWN — A lifestyle boutique described by its owner as offering a "Western and rustic vibe" sells baskets woven in Ghana and offers clothing racks packed with harem pants, summer shawls, skirts, tops and dresses.
Owned by Emily McKenney, Havlan & West opened on Thursday at 1870 N. Damen Ave., just north of Churchill Park, one of six ground-level access parks where you hop on or off the elevated 2.6-mile-long Bloomingdale Trail, set to open in June.
McKenney, with harem pants:
Havlan is McKenney's mother's maiden name and the "West" pays homage to her father, Wesley.
"I love this neighborhood and this part of Damen; it is growing. I am hoping foot traffic at all of the shops north of the [overpass] bridge will pick up especially when the trail opens," McKenney said.
Originally from LaGrange, McKenney, a Bucktown resident, was previously living in New York City, where she was a curator for galleries and museums.
"I've always worked in art galleries and want to curate a lifestyle. Everything here is affordable, under $100," she said, adding that most of the boutique's clothes are around the $60 price point.
Some of the clothing labels offered at the shop include Freeway Apparel, Bishop + Young and Mystree. A floral shawl:
The boutique also sells "PocketArt" T-shirts by Umano. Proceeds from each shirt help to buy a backpack full of school supplies for needy kids.
In addition to clothes and home furnishings, such as throw pillows from Guatemala and Turkey, Havlan & West also offers soaps, local artwork and jewelry.
Next to Vamoose, a tattoo removal shop, Havlan & West joins several other new, independently-owned shops and restaurants in the 1800, 1900 and 2000 blocks of North Damen Avenue, near the Armitage intersection.
A juice bar, 24 Karrots, opened in December at 2004 W. Armitage Ave., across from Izakaya Mita, a Japanese restaurant, which also debuted in December.
Stitch, a home accessories and furnishings store, relocated to 1937 N. Damen Ave. after moving from a shop two blocks south on Damen.
Havlan & West, 1870 N. Damen Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change; consult Facebook page for updates) Ph: 773-799-8367.
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