The Alley Chicago — Local services in West Chicago Township

My memories of The Alley date back many many years. I was there several times way back in the early to mid '80s when they were in the location closer in the city. There has been so many changes in recent years that I've now read about and my kids were excited to go as they were looking for alternative clothing and merchandise and had seen them advertised online. Since we were going to be in town they really wanted to stop by and I'm glad we were able to get there. It seems strange to me driving there and it was so much further north and in what is more of a residential neighborhood. The building they are currently in is humongous but the retail part is just a small section of it. To me it feels like it's bigger on the inside than the old one but the people that remember the old one from it's more recent years think this space is smaller. Walking in the door you are immediately assaulted by so many of the things that they have available and you can't help but stop and look and try not to miss any. Lots of unusual items, jewelry, clothing, leather and more. My kids were really excited to see all the boots that they had available and purchases were made. No one kid found some clothing they like this fit and they both picked out an assortment of other items. I was able to resist making a purchase myself but there were actually some things that I thought would be cool to have or would make some good gifts for people I know. It's sad because there aren't more stores like this around so you have to really hunt to normally find things. What makes The Alley nicer is that there is so much in...

Id rate The Alley 100 stars if I could. Words cannot describe how absolutely happy i am that The Alley is back! I went to The Alley for the first time when i was only 10, right after I started listening to Evanescence (and Korn a week later lol). I loved the way Amy Lee looked so much and damnit, even then hot topic didn't live up. My mom took me here instead. Probably one of the best days of my life. I got this awesome pair of Docs i still wear - infact i still wear all the clothes I got here! I shopped here for everything until they closed. I remember the first time i came here, this was this woman working with pink dread locks and tattoos everywhere. She was beyond kind to me and helped me shop while my mom sat down. Last few times i went (15 and 16) i got told that i needed to apply for a job here when i got older (i was heart broken when they closed shortly after). One day, if they need more staff, maybe i will! I've never had a bad experience here. The staff were always amazing. Really down to earth, ready to help, talkative (in a good way) and very nice. Amazing service. Even when i was a pre-teen they were super cool to me and thought it was awesome that such a young kid was into the alternative style and culture. So in that regard, i would call them family friendly too! I'm 21 now and The Alley coming back is beyond amazing! My husband and I have two babies and we can't wait to bring them here in about 10 years. BEST STORE EVER. Edit: i just saw y'all are back full time im...

Back in the day, The Alley Chicago was a crazy cool place to go. You used to enter THRU AN ALLEY. It was a huge shop with just about anything you could imagine. Band shirts, fun clothes, jewelry, trinkets. The place was so big and packed you couldn't possibly see everything. NOW, you enter thru a coffee shop...go upstairs to a small room. They offer a variety of Alley merchandise, some studded jewlery, stickers. Forget looking around, the staff is so hungry for a sale...they don't leave you alone. Prices are still "ok" but only go there if you want a t-shirt from a once cool place. Definitely don't go if you are looking for a trip down memory lane. Side note:(personal experience) I took my daughter this last time. One of the staff pulled her away from me and took her across the room. (In this day....you don't take a little girl from her parent) I followed of course, but you just DONT do that. ALSO, "stay in school" is a message you send to children, NOT drop out and try and make a meek existence. AND don't high pressure sale a child to be an all black wearing rebel...they are ok to create their own style. AND certainly don't put down the parent because you don't get along with yours. Remember, the parent has the money you want spent at your store.

All the 5star reviews are from when this place was cool 5+ years ago. Anything 5star recent has got to be an employee or friend of one...just sayin'. It has lost it...