Local Eclectic

AUGUST 25, 2026 – CHICAGO, IL – Local Eclectic, the cult favorite jewelry brand renowned for its curated collection of unique pieces from independent designers, as well as beautiful in-house jewelry lines, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its first flagship, brick and mortar location on Thursday, September 3. After over thirteen years of success and exponential growth as an online only brand, founder Alexis Nido-Russo and her team are excited to put down roots in the heart of Streeterville at 212 East Ontario Street. The new flagship will be housed in a historic landmarked building constructed on land once owned by Chicago’s first mayor, William B. Ogden, and later home to prolific portrait artist George Peter Alexander Healy.

Unlike anything of its kind in Chicago, the flagship store promises to be more than just a retail space. Spanning multiple floors, it will feature an exquisite jewelry boutique showcasing Local Eclectic’s signature collections and exclusive pieces, as well as a cafe, which will officially open later this fall. Visitors can expect a personalized shopping experience, with expert staff on hand to guide them through the diverse range of jewelry from emerging and established designers. Like Local Eclectic’s jewelry, guests can expect a luxury experience at an accessible price point.

Local Eclectic has undertaken a 2 year gut renovation of the Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival style house, which was designed in 1885 by the storied architect Edward J. Burling, known for his work on Chicago’s Driehaus Museum, Biggs Mansion, and St. James Cathedral. Local Eclectic’s approach was to create a highly contemporary, fresh and artful boutique that honors the building's history. Guests enter through a gallery-like space featuring jewelry displayed in illuminated vitrines, leading to the main shopping room, where marble and backlit cases showcase Local Eclectic’s signature assortment of fine and demi-fine jewelry.

The flagship is designed to encourage discovery and interaction. Dedicated areas invite guests to build personalized charm combinations, create layered jewelry stacks and try on pieces throughout the space. In the velvet-covered Gem Box room, a custom ballerina created by artist Veronica Shaeffer twirls above the room at the press of a button, transforming the shopping experience into a playful, interactive installation. Art is woven throughout the property, including a large-scale mosaic at the front entrance by Amy Exton, a full room mural by Philippine de Richemont, and an original work by noted portrait artist (and former resident of 212 East Ontario) George Peter Alexander Healy will sit side by side with a new work commissioned from Chicago artist Sébastien Johnson that is a contemporary response to the historic Healy piece.

The space will also be home to Local Eclectic Cafe, which will officially open later this fall. The cafe will offer a custom coffee blend created with beloved local roaster, Metric, alongside house made milk alternatives and a menu of specialty drinks. Upon opening on September 3, guests can enjoy coffee and pastries while they shop, with the full cafe menu debuting in the coming months.

Additionally, the Streeterville location will also house the Local Eclectic offices. This integration ensures that the heart of the brand’s operations remains close to its customers, fostering a sense of community and direct engagement. Both the retail and work spaces are designed to juxtapose historic and contemporary elements and details, as well as a vibrant color and material palette. The space and its renovation will be a reflection of the characteristics of Local Eclectic's jewelry: fashionable, original, and daring.

Local Eclectic will be open seven days a week from 7am-9pm. Stay tuned for more details and special announcements as Local Eclectic settles into their new home. For more information, visit www.localeclectic.com or follow us on social media @LocalEclectic.

About Local Eclectic:

In 2013, Alexis Nido-Russo launched Local Eclectic to share her favorite independent designers’ unique jewelry with the world. Today, Local Eclectic is the global online destination for unique fashion jewelry and affordable fine jewelry from talented emerging jewelry designers all over the world, plus in-house brands designed with quality and accessibility in mind. And now our jewelry can be found with select retail partners across the country at Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Free People. We’re proud to be woman founded, women run, and continue our mission of supporting fellow women entrepreneurs and artists.