Lulu's Leaving in Lieu of New Michigan Avenue Location

The Lincoln Avenue staple Lulu’s at the Belle Kay is closing its doors in Northcenter, moving everything to the new downtown location on Michigan Avenue.

Owner Laurie Davis opened her second vintage store on the third level of the 900 North Michigan Shops just three months ago, but now she says it’s time to reconsolidate.

“The reason I’m closing is because my lease is going to be up in September, and I’ve been there for 10 years,” Davis said. “The store on Michigan is really jamming, doing well, and I’m going to be 64 in a few months. It’s a lot of work.”

Davis opened Lulu’s at 3862 N. Lincoln Ave. in 2003 carrying an seemingly unparalleled selection of vintage goods from around the world. Gowns, cocktail dresses, furs and jewlwery from the 1920s through the 1980s fill the space in Northcenter.

But now it’s the end of an era. With a successful store in on of Chicago’s premiere shopping districts, Davis says it was a tough choice to make. 

“We’ve had people from Copenhagen, Paris Taiwan—it’s been a really good move,” she said. “It was a bittersweet decision for me. Very bittersweet. … Do I think I’ll lose some clients? You know, I have no choice. I can’t leave the store open for a handful of people who don’t want to come downtown.”

The Michigan Avenue store is being altered to accommodate more inventory. Davis says when completed, it’ll be the exact same store as in Northcenter, but with a fresh look.