Thread: Found a cool place with lots misc. shaving stuff in downtown Chicago--but pricey

I found out that Merz Apothecary has a location in the Palmer House, one of the grandest and oldest Chicago hotels, in its lobby. Merz has been on the north side of Chicago for over a century and opened this store (approx. State and Monroe). Since I work in the loop, I wandered in and they have all kinds of cool shaving accessories--no straight razors though--shaving soap, creams, after shave, lotions, alum blocks, bay rum, DE razors and supplies and other things. I enjoyed browsing--which they seemed happy to let one do. Their prices are kind of on a level with Art of Shaving and a bit too much for me, but I bought a small Royall Bay Rhum for an outrageous price (2 oz at 28--ouch) but the largest size seems more in line (55?) with other places. The Clubman bay rum bottle, however, was 6.99--pretty close to the Walgreen's price. They do have a web site. I'm certain it is pricey because of its location. Fun to check it out though.

Very nice!
Sadly, we have no stores like that in my hometown.
It is such a treat to see and smell all the great stuff in stores like that
The sad thing is that it is very easy to spend too much money in them!
But I must say though, I'm actually willing to pay a bit more for the products I want in a brick and mortar shop.
Me personally, I go completely bonkers whenever I'm in a place with shops like that.

It is fun to browse. I went back today and saw in the corner of a display case a half dozen or so straight razors--dovos (one had a price of like 125) and a couple of feathers (one had a price of two hundred something and theother was a disposable blade I think), but they were behind glass so I didn't get a chance to really see or inspect them, besides I'm certain they were straight from the factory--but they at least do carry some. They also had proraso and Mitchell's Woolfat Shaving Soap (21 bucks--I know)---and I bought some. I know they can be had chaper on-line, but it's cool to actually pick things tings up and smell them before buying too.

If ever in downtown Chicago, it's a cool place to check out.