1. Chicago Place

I love Chiaroscuro! It's the first store we go to when we shop in Chicago several times a year. The mall however is horrible! Right after we left Chiaroscuro we learned that Hold Everything, the Eastern Asia store, and Joy of Ireland were gone (we're Irish, and loved the tea room there). There were so many empty stores that we left quickly. Even the restaurants were bad. Last time we were here we had pizza, and my daughter loves hummus, but we were forced to eat at Watertower. We come to Chicago a lot but would only tell our friends about Chiaroscuro because there is no store like it and we wish they would come to Michigan!!

I came in from Manhattan on business and needed a gift from my favorite store in Chicago, Chiaroscuro. How surprised I was to see them still open when almost every other shop was long gone. I was stunned at how the mall had changed since my last visit one year ago! There were litter and cups all over the unattended Customer Service desk and a homeless man sitting on the floor by the elevator! I purchased my gift anyway and chatted with the unhappy staff at my favorite store about the mall's demise, and we all agreed changes needed to be made. It's a shame because at one time it was a unique and pleasant shopping alternative. However, go for Chiaroscuro before this lovely gem is forced out as well.

This mall is practically vacant on the busiest street in Chicago. I don't understand. Maybe it is the lack of visible security, or the lack of anyone seated at the 'visitor's center,' or the multitude of burned-out lights everywhere, or the empty storefront windows of occupied stores,...or the dry water fountains in the food court, or the litter that one can find throughout the mall,...or maybe it's a combination of everything?? I cannot believe Saks Fifth Avenue is attached to such an eyesore.