Through a clear diffuser inside a glass teapot, a dozen jasmine “pearls”–tea leaves rolled tightly into bound balls–suddenly unfurl into long strips. “I did a lot of research on tea and discovered this process, called agonizing the leaves,” says Robert Davis, owner of the six-month-old Unique So Chique clothing store and tea shop.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
Tea is new turf for Davis but retail isn’t. While working on his MBA in marketing at Dominican University in River Forest, he was an assistant buyer and house artist (he made ornaments and furniture) for Home Bodies, a now defunct gift shop on Halsted. “The whole time,” he says, “it was always in the back of my mind to open my own business.” In 2000 he opened Unique Findings, a home accessory, fine gift, and baby gift shop on Wilson. Davis is closing that store on March 20 and adding some of its merchandise–children’s gifts, bath and body products, and candles–to Unique So Chique’s inventory.
It took Davis four months to convert the former Uptown Chicago Commission office into a cozy space with a jewelry counter, dressing rooms, and a candy counter. He built much of the furniture himself and painted teacups onto the cafe’s fluorescent lights. Antique shelves display chocolates, teas, and other stuff for sale. “I love traveling to different countries to find items for the shelves,” he says. The front room is stocked with men’s and women’s clothing by designers from various places, including England, Italy, and Chicago. There’s handmade jewelry by local designer Susan Fitch and fragrances from small and large perfume houses (“only the most current ones,” says Davis).
