Chicago folks - any shops near the loop?

[durango dude]

I'm at a meeting in downtown Chicago for a few days.

I don't suppose there's any good woodworking shops nearby?

(will check back this evening)

[Whaler]

I haven't been there in several years but never saw any woodworking stores. Lots of good eats and sights though.

[durango dude]

man - this place is crowded, and filled with plastic.........

Ask someone around here about their favorite router, and they'll say something like cisco......

(yuck....... poey...... cough.... choke)

You know - I paid $10 frickin dollars for breakfast!

I want to go home!

I could be working on my daughter's cradle.

[jwd12]

Not only are there not any good woodworking stores near the loop but even the big box stores are miles away. If you think breakfast is expensive, wait till you pay for parking.

[LCHIEN]

I think most woodworking stores in big cities are located in the suburbs. Think about it, how many downtown apartment dwellers can set up a shop in their homes? Most guys with woodshops will have at least a house with a garage.

Even the hardware stores located close to downtown have more small hand tools and fewer benchtop and freestanding tools (like table saws).

[LCHIEN]

I think most woodworking stores in big cities are located in the suburbs. Think about it, how many downtown apartment dwellers can set up a shop in their homes? Most guys with woodshops will have at least a house with a garage.

Even the downtown hardware stores have more small hand tools and fewer benchtop and freestanding tools (like table saws).

[durango dude]

same place - one year later - nothing has changed.

Michigan Avenue is a great place if you want to buy an expensive watch or sunglasses - or an IPad (Apple Store is a couple blocks away).

I did find out that Jorgensen is here in Chicago - but it's not close by.