Runway Event Showcases Lincoln Park Businesses

A formerly disbanded group is back on the scene hoping to reignite the Lincoln Park business district. They're starting this week by putting shop owners' merchandise in the limelight. 

The Lincoln Park Merchants Association is hosting "Lincoln Park After Dark: Fashion, Cocktails & Style" Nov. 29. The doors to the free event, to be held at Essentia, 2118 N. Halsted St., will open at 7 p.m. and the first 100 guests will get gift bags. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m., coordinators said.

"We want to have something fun for people to do in the neighborhood," said Alyssa Thomas, part owner of Comfort Me, 701 W. Armitage Ave., and treasurer for the merchant's association. "We want our customers to know that we are not just here for you guys to shop. We want to bring more of a community sense to the neighborhood and get everyone together for the holidays."

Each of the 17 businesses participating in the fashion show will have the chance to showcase two runway looks, she said, and appetizers will be provided by Oh Olive.

Carrie Londe, owner of Londo Mondo, says she's hoping the show draws quite a crowd. Owned by she, her sister and her mother, Londo Mondo features year-round swimwear as well as yoga gear, lifestyle looks and casual outfit options.

"I want people to see that Lincoln Park, and specifically the Halsted and Armitage areas, are shopping districts," she said. "Hopefully, we can get back on the map; let people know that we are a destination neighborhood for shopping that's worth coming to."

That sentiment is exactly what the merchant's association is all about, Thomas said. The goal, she noted, is to get more people to support the community and its economy.

"It used to be a bit more bustling than it is now," she said, of specific shopping areas, including that along Armitage Avenue, in Lincoln Park. "We want to get people excited and show them what we have to offer."

Winter and holiday runway looks will be shown by the following local boutiques:

• 1154 Lill Studio 
• b. A Salon on Armitage
• Barbour
• The Blues Jean Bar
• Camelot Children's Kingdom
• Comfort Me Boutique
• Eclectic Chic   
• Fortunate Discoveries     
• Killion
• Laudi Vidni      
• Londo Mondo
• Moi Boutique           
• Shop 857                   
• Thread Lounge                   
• Underthings       
• Piper Boutique
• Kickin'