Perchance Leaving Webster for 'Bittersweet' Change

By Andy Ambrosius

In another shakeup in Lincoln Park real estate, Perchance Boutique has announced it’s leaving Webster Avenue and heading to the Gold Coast.

Owner Mary Liz Lehman says she’s consolidating her three Perchance stores to one storefront at 11 E. Walton St. That means her store at 1205 W. Webster Ave. will close, along with Perchance Kids nearby Lake View at 3510 N. Southport Ave.

Lehman calls the change “bittersweet,” but says consolidating her stores is a move in the right direction for both her store and her customers. For example, in the Gold Coast, Perchance can shed a new light on personal styling.

Perchance’s unique flair, however, may remain on Southport. Lehman is also the owner of the storefront at 3510 N. Southport, and she says she’s very particular about who will fill the space.

“I’ve had a few unsolicited offers that I’ve turned down,” she said, declining to disclose which companies were interested. “… I’m a huge fan and advocate of Southport, so it has to be (the right person). I’ll continue to serve Southport.”

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And with investment group L3 Capital snatching up properties down the shopping corridor, Lehman says she has no intention of selling soon.

L3 Capital announced June 24 it purchased a slew of buildings on Southport for $6 million, adding to a $13 million investment it made in December.

Greg Shott, L3’s principal, says by the end of 2013, Anthony’s Homemade Italian Ice and Nail Bar will close and merge with the former Southport Athletic Club to make room for a 5,600-square-foot building that will be home to a national tenant.

That announcement, along with Percance’s move, is joined by a slew of other changes in recent months. A larger new Starbuckswill soon open in the place of three former storefronts, GAP Inc. is building out its new space, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams took overSafari Cup, and both Lakeview Physical Therapy and Bell Studio have relocated.

That's combined with the new European Waxing Center opening soon, as well as consignment shop Second Time Around and Katie B's across the street.

Perchance's team will relocate to the Gold Coast store Aug. 1 while the store remains open a few additional weeks to liquidate its remaining goods.