Confirmed: First West Elm Location in Chicago

Back in February (brrrr - we don't even want to think about last winter!), we put together a post, based on an email from a reader about the possible locations for the first West Elm in the city. According to their website, is set to open this Fall and now we know exactly where...

The other day, we stopped in at Peets and on our way out saw the sign pictured above, which had just been unveiled. The old Whole Foods at the corner of North and Sheffield is currently being transformed into a shiny, new (very big?!) West Elm.

Construction has been underway in the space pretty steadily all summer, so possibly the opening estimate of "Fall 09" as listed will be accurate. Now, we're looking forward to our first-ever West Elm visit!

RELATED POST:

West Elm: Opening in the City?

Comments (10)

Unfortunately, the best thing I found about having a local West Elm store is that you can see for yourself the shoddy construction and quality of most of their products. I used to love getting my WE catalog in the mail, but now I'm sure that I'd never buy most of their stuff. At least not anything I didn't see in person. And really, that leaves you with mostly the ceramics.

posted by asinner on September 9th 2009 at 10:19am
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great linen curtains, though. and god knows you can never have enough linen curtains!

posted by the polish chick on September 9th 2009 at 10:46am
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Saw the sign this weekend. While I tend to not make large purchases from WE due to the lack of quality, I do enjoy perusing their stores for great ideas!

posted by StephPic on September 9th 2009 at 1:02pm
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I have a headboard from West Elm that I love, but I'll go with StephPic and say it's best to have one nearby for ideas and nothing but. Glad to see I won't have to schlep to Oak Brook now!

posted by www.paigeworthy.com on September 9th 2009 at 1:41pm
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shabby furniture, oh no, I just ordered a slipper chair... the good thing about oakbrook was the 7.50 tax

posted by 3rdfloorwalkup on September 9th 2009 at 2:34pm
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also, I was in there last week and the salesperson said they would be in by feb 2010

posted by 3rdfloorwalkup on September 9th 2009 at 2:35pm
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Augh! Could that corner be any more congested??? I try to avoid North Ave all together, on weekends at least. Sheesh. I'll probably still go though...

posted by Tiffany on September 9th 2009 at 2:54pm
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Yeah, I have to agree that West Elm's craftsmanship leaves a lot to be desired.

posted by andrew1978 on September 9th 2009 at 3:03pm
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I guess some of us have different standards. I've had the walton sectional for several years now and it still looks/feels new. It's very comfortable. Got some leather armchairs recently and really like them, they were a better price than C&Bs

posted by ec05 on September 9th 2009 at 3:11pm
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I used to work there and we had problems with anything that had a lot of veneer. The upholstered pieces were pretty good quality unless a leg got damaged.

posted by Z design on September 10th 2009 at 1:35pm
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