There's a store in Chicago that offers such great housewares at such great prices that some of its customers don't want you to know about it. On top of that, it's an outlet store. So everything you find there (with a few exceptions) is the last of its kind. "I get as much as I can for the store," explains manager Mary Howe. "But often it's the end of what's available. When it's gone, it's gone. I can't order more items for people, even if I want to." The moral is, if you see something you like, buy it without hesitation. The mystery associated with the store is reinforced by its location, tucked into the side of an operating warehouse situated strangely in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Well, the store's longstanding customers may not like this, but the secret is getting out.
1730 Outlet is a hidden gem. From the outside, it looks like any turn-of-the-century warehouse you might find in one of Chicago's former industrial corridors. But after entering through a couple of utilitarian hallways, you'll find yourself in what could easily be a shop on Michigan Avenue. Except for one big difference: the prices. A generous green serving bowl called the Bellini that would probably retail for about $50 at a Mag Mile shop is on sale at 1730 Outlet for $10. Because it's an outlet, there could be a little imperfection with the glaze or some other mark, but you have to look really hard to find it. These are quality items at more-than-affordable prices.
Amidst the creative displays and the bright lights you'll find a full array of home, seasonal and garden items. "We're an outlet store, so we're open to the general public," says Mary. "Most of the time, though, people don't want to tell even their friends about us. That's why we say we're one of best-kept secrets in Chicago." You can set a table with plates, bowls, glassware, tablecloths and cloth napkins that you buy there. On a Saturday afternoon, a regular customer named Stephanie comes in with a purpose: to get some new wineglasses. "We have these beautiful crystal wineglasses at home that we never use," she explains. "Instead we drink wine out of our favorite glasses, which we got here. My husband broke his, so I'm here today to replace it."
You can decorate your home with your choice of silk flowers, garlands or wreaths, along with a variety of vases. There are lots of items that would help you stock up for a party, such as paper napkins in various prints. To prepare your patio or yard for the warmer months, there is an assortment of garden decor, including fancy flowerpots, birdhouses, lanterns, outdoor lights, citronella candles and torches. Everything is set up in neat, cozy displays around the store. "My staff is wonderful," says Mary. "When it's time to change a display, I choose a color and theme, and they bring it to life." A wall display holds hundreds of indoor candles in more than every color of the rainbow. Candles are some of the only constantly stocked items at 1730 Outlet. "They are all high quality, smokeless, dripless candles," explains Mary. "I keep the chapel candles in all the time for customers."
 Here, it's also about the holidays. Specific areas of 1730 Outlet are devoted to the nearest season. This time, it's a display of red-themed items for Valentine's Day like a fuzzy, heart-shaped throw pillow. There is also a section devoted to assorted pastel Easter items including lots of bunnies and chicks. "We carry all four seasons," says Mary. "Some of the seasons, like Halloween and Christmas, we sell all year round. Halloween especially—that's one of our hottest lines right now." As a season approaches, 1730 Outlet brings in as much as it can for that holiday to help people decorate their homes.
A recent addition to 1730 Outlet may be so new that even the regular customers don't know about it yet. Shortly after the start of 2007, 1730 Outlet acquired a line of designer furniture. In just a few days, Mary and her staff set up a simple showroom area where most of the pieces are represented, although not in every style available. The line comes from a now-defunct studio called Parallel Lines, which designed and manufactured every piece up to unheard-of quality standards. All wood veneers are about 3/4 of an inch thick, when the standard since 1920 has been to make furniture with 1/4 inch veneers. All chrome tubing is solid, and not hollow like it is for nearly all the furniture made today. Distinctive design elements like an acid-green wood stain complement the furniture's clean, modern lines. Since the furniture studio was based in Chicago, it named all of its chairs for Chicago streets, so there's the Devon Bar Stools and the Elston Chairs. "There's no fancy showroom so we can sell it at the right price," Mary says. That means you can get tables, chairs, cabinets, chests of drawers, etageres, wine racks and more at half off wholesale prices. But like everything else at 1730 Outlet, supplies are limited. 1730 Outlet purchased all the remaining stock from the studio, but there obviously won't be any more pieces manufactured.
You might be wondering why a store located on Wrightwood Avenue is a member of the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce. Mary Howe, the manager, is the answer. She was born and raised in Lincoln Square, and still lives in the neighborhood. "I went to Queen of Angels school, which was where I met my husband," Mary recalls. "We were grade school sweethearts. We met the first time playing tennis on the courts at Welles Park." One of her closest grade school friends was Lydia Linke, daughter of Manfred Linke who owned Linke's Barber Shop on Sunnyside Avenue. After raising two sons of her own and working a long career in retail, Mary took on the manager position at 1730 Outlet in July of 2002. She actually started out as a customer who heard that they were looking for a manager of the outlet. "I love retail. I love people," says Mary. "That's what I find enjoyment in." She also finds enjoyment in playing the highland bagpipes. Her fascination began ten years ago with a free lesson that she took through the Chicago Park District. One lesson led to another, and soon she joined a band called Glengael. "I call them my second family," she says. "We travel to competitions together and once took second place." Mary's band was part of the featured entertainment at a past Lincoln Square Apple Fest.
If you're the type of shopper who loves a bargain, then 1730 Outlet is definitely the place for you. Not only does it have great finds at unbelievable prices, the store is also genuinely a pleasant place to shop. "I've shopped here for ten years," says Stephanie. "I like that it's family-friendly and you can push your stroller through the aisles." And even though people want to keep the secret to themselves, word is getting out. ABC 7's "190 North" did a feature on bargains in the city a few years ago and mentioned 1730 Outlet. "When we came to work the next day, we had people lined up at the door, waiting to get in," says Mary. Stephanie is still keeping her secret in the family for now. "Whenever my family comes into town to visit," she explains, "they have to make a special trip here. Where else can you go in Chicago to find a fabulous housewarming gift for fabulously little money?"
1730 Outlet
1730 West Wrightwood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
773.871.4331
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm
Closed Sunday
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