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:
Find Your Style: 20 Classic to Contemporary Kitchens to Add to Your Inspiration Board
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Cook Moist & Tender Chicken Breasts Every Time
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
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.
great linen curtains, though. and god knows you can never have enough linen curtains!
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!
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!
shabby furniture, oh no, I just ordered a slipper chair... the good thing about oakbrook was the 7.50 tax
also, I was in there last week and the salesperson said they would be in by feb 2010
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...
Yeah, I have to agree that West Elm's craftsmanship leaves a lot to be desired.
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
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.
CB2 is definitely much better.
I really hate blanket statements like that... better for what?
CB2 and West Elm have completely different vibes. Any interior enthusiast should have room to love both, for various and different reasons.
West Elm bashing is soooooooo First Decade. If you dislike the quality/price formula of West Elm, where the hell are you people shopping to get a better deal for the kind of look West Elm sells?
Chicago, you're lucky to get an actual location. Congrats!