Say it isn’t so!! Rumor had it that the alternative clothing store The Alley located at Clark & Belmont was closing!! Mark Thomas, owner of The Alley, posted on their Facebook page, that a new development would be taking over the corner of Clark & Belmont. The Dunkin Donuts building will go away as well as 2 stores that Thomas operated as well, Taboo Tabou and Architectural Revolution. However, Thomas owns the building that The Alley resides in and that building will stay. The new development will be an 11 story mixed use building.
Whew! It’s not closing! I had the opportunity to visit this iconic Northside store this past weekend and was glad to see that not much has changed at the store. It’s been a few years since my last visit. The floors are still dirty, broken concrete walls, the place always had a disheveled look which I expected and liked. Lots of black t-shirts and black leather coats. Thank goodness it hasn’t changed all that much. I don’t want to see pink Alley t-shirts, no way!
The Dunkin Donuts that sits on that corner is sort of an institution as well. How many nights did my friends and I end up there after a night at Medusa’s! Us southsiders would get our donut & coffee and sit in the parking lot consuming amongst the Goth’s, punks, freaks, and geeks. It seemed so normal back then.
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The Alley is for music enthusiasts who like to look good when they rock. Goths, metal heads, punks, and plenty of conservative types can be seen shopping there. The store features piercings as well as a tattoo artist. If you need your Doc Martens, they have them, black leather jackets, they have you covered. Skull mugs, skinny ties, arm warmers (those looked tempting), army coats, tote bags, belt buckles (buy one get one free), bow ties, Creepers, all sorts hats, shades, ladies spike knee boots, coffin shaped flasks, tons of silver jewelry, an entire glass cases full of cigarette cases, assorted belts, Hello Kitty bags (the nice ones that cost you $72.00), and of course, Yeti boot sleeves.
Of course, black t-shirts galore for only 10.00! Those are the standard boxy shirts, so if you wanted a ladies size shirt, they have them but be forewarned, they are fitted an XL looks like a small. You will find yourself just wandering through the store for quite some time, listening to NIN, ska & punk music, in the background.
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Taboo Tabou and Architectural Revolution merchandise will consolidate into the Alley shortly. There are sales going on at all 3 stores right now, but check to see which items are truly on sale for 75% off. I found a really nice warm army coat and was disappointed when I was told that item was not a part of the sale.
The Alley is located at 3228 N Clark Street. Check the website for store hours www.thealleychicago.com. So worth the visit!!
Don’t forget to tune into WXAV (88.3fm or @ www.wxav.com) every Wednesday night from 7pm to 9pm for Alternative Sounds For Your Head with host radioruta. Alternative, indie, new wave, punk, electronic music and more!! Also, Music While U Work Thursday mornings 8am to 11am.
