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Unique Thrift Store Closes In Uptown

 The store at 4445 N. Sheridan Road officially closed Tuesday.
The store at 4445 N. Sheridan Road officially closed Tuesday.
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DNAinfo/Josh McGhee

UPTOWN — Holly Phelps was all ready for an afternoon of thrifting when she discovered a heartbreaking sign on her favorite spot for forgotten wear — Unique Thrift Store.

After walking a half mile to the store at 4445 N. Sheridan Road, Phelps, 24, sadly read the sign informing her the store is now closed.

"It was closest, it had the best selection and the best prices if you're into thrift shopping," Phelps said.

The sign also thanked customers for their patronage and pointed them to its other locations at 3748 N. Elston Ave. and 7538 N. Western Avenue.

The store officially closed Tuesday. Managers from the other locations would not comment on why the store closed.

The store hasn't been free of controversy. In 2013, workers at the store began forming a union to fight for better pay and benefits.

Most of the 50 workers were making minimum wage, $8.25 and hour, and some workers at the store had been there at least a decade but still only made $8.40 an hour. In 2014, the City of Chicago began raising its minimum wage to $13 in increments by 2019.

The store is usually Phelps' first stop on her way thrift shop expeditions, which she would take about every four months, she said.

"It's more affordable than the Salvation Army and has a better selection," she said turning to walk to her second option about a block south at 4315 N. Broadway.

[DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]

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