Art Effect is an independently owned boutique at 934 W. Armitage Ave., on the Armitage Avenue shopping strip next to the CTA Armitage Brown and Purple Line station at 944 W. Armitage. The Old Town School of Folk Music is across the street at 909 W. Armitage.
What it’s known for
Esther Fishman opened Art Effect in 1984. Sibylle Gander, whom Fishman calls her right hand, has worked there for more than 20 years. The shop describes itself as a modern-day general store with a high-low mix.
It sells women’s clothing, including Michael Stars basics and pieces from Johnny Was and Velvet. It also carries accessories, and its jewelry ranges from affordable costume pieces to handcrafted fine jewelry by designers such as Jamie Joseph and Margaret Solow. The gift side covers candles, bath and body products, baby gifts, games, Blue Q items and Chicago-themed gifts. Home goods include kitchen, bar, tabletop and garden pieces and Michael Aram. The website sorts gifts by price, starting under $25.
Good to know
- Hours: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m., per the official site, October 2026.
- Contact: (773) 929-3600 or sales@shoparteffect.com.
- Online orders: Shoppers who choose in-store pickup instead of shipping get their shipping cost refunded.
- Transit: The Armitage station, which the CTA lists as accessible, is next door. Bus #73 Armitage also stops there.
See the Armitage Avenue walking guide for more shops on the strip.
Sources: shoparteffect.com, shoparteffect.com/pages/about-us, transitchicago.com/station/armi
Photo courtesy of Art Effect.
