Molly Each

At Lakeview Broadcasting Company, the retro-y hipster bar in Boystown, owner Stephen Westman outfits his lucky staff in a rotation of uniforms by Clandestine Industries, the clothing line from Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. After the millionth customer asked where they could score the designer duds, Westman took matters into his own hands and opened up Lakeview Manufacturing Company, a lifestyle boutique in the heart of Wrigleyville.

The shop is like a minimalist 1980s art gallery. LMC hangs onto the old-school spirit of its sibling bar with a brown shag carpet wall, retro hair dryers, a TV playing "Punky Brewster" and a few piles of Tiger Beat and Bananas lying around. But the focus here is fashion, and across the white walls t-shirts and accessories hang, all displayed in the middle of showy gold frames, next to photos and brief bios of the designers. LMC is Chicago-centric, featuring trendy yet casual t-shirts, hoodies and accessories by Chicago-based designers 426 Brand, Lying Laundry, Old School Arts and Crafts Movement, and, of course, Clandestine Industries. Fans of vintage t-shirts will love the mint-condition selection by Royale, and the LMC line pays homage to their neighborhood by stocking Cubs t-shirts emblazoned with phrases such as "Ryn-O-Mite!" and "Zambrano is Money." And though you’ll score a super-unique piece at LMC, you won’t pay couture prices. Most items run from $15 to $40, leaving you with some extra cash to show off your new look at any of the Wrigleyville hot spots.

But clothing isn’t the only way that LMC can style you. In the back there’s a mini-salon, where they offer services like blow-drying, curling and crimping—if you really want to complete that 1980s look—and makeup application. Additionally, LMC hosts "Pretty Parties," where they’ll do your crew’s hair and makeup while you nosh on food and drinks. Prices for the salon start at $20, and are detailed in a nostalgic menu that uses photos of Kimberly Drummond, Blair Warner and Nicole Bradford to illustrate the available services. If any of those names are familiar to you, this could be your new favorite store.

Lakeview Manufacturing Company, 952 West Newport, (773)857-3525

(2007-07-10)

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