5 Q’s to North Shore Exchange: A Store With a Great Cause

North Shore Exchange specializes in selling gently used designer fashion, furniture, and homewares. Not only are they a great resource for buying and selling quality goods, but they have a wonderful mission where 100% of profits go to Chicagoland charities through their transformative grant program.

  1. What do you love about living in Chicago?
  2. We love the city’s culture! There are so many places to get style inspiration – whether it’s from famous works at the Art Institute to the streetwear spotted on Michigan Ave. – there’s such a good sense of visual culture that contributes to the feel of the city.

  3. What’s one piece of advice that you always give to your clients?
  4. One piece of advice we give to our clients is to consign early to get the best prices and shop early to get the best selection. That is to say, sell with us and we’ll provide the best price (and care) for your items, and buy with us to get the best possible selection of curated, pre-loved designer fashion and homewares!

  5. What other local businesses in your neighborhood do you recommend?
  6. Honestly – anything in the Bloomingdale’s building! The food court, Aster Hall, is a great spot for grabbing a quick bite. Bloomingdale’s home is fantastic, their selection is unparalleled and it’s all displayed beautifully. Another notable mention is Janet Mandell’s showroom on the 6th floor. She does designer clothing rentals and her closet is absolutely stunning!

  7. How do you foresee the near future in your industry? Any new trends or changes we shall be looking out for?
  8. The secondhand market has been experiencing growing popularity over the last few years and the future continues to look positive. Fashion tends to be cyclical, so the trends that were in 10, 15, and 20 years ago are resurfacing in new and creative ways. Furthermore, the secondhand fashion and home market is estimated to grow 25% in the next five years! We are so excited to see how the industry continues to change and expand.

  9. Who/what inspires you and why?
  10. We are continuously inspired by the individuals who are committed to our mission of helping others in our community. Anyone who shops, sells, volunteers, or donates to our organization contributes to our dual goal of sustainability and giving back. This is especially true for our staff – the majority of whom are volunteers who donate their time and talent to making our organization successful.

North Shore Exchange - Chicago

North Shore Exchange is a local Chicago business featured in Debra’s Little Black Book – a comprehensive, 96-page guide of our most trusted and beloved local vendors, service providers, and partners in Chicago. Interested in discovering more amazing local businesses in Chicago? Be sure to get your own free copy of Debra’s Little Black Book, available here.