I must confess that, for whatever reason, I haven’t been to Chicago in years. I was meaning to go for a music festival or two last summer, but never made it. Everyone I know from the capital of the Middlewest raves about the city – all livable and everything. It is a different beast than New York though, that is for sure. The argument for me to visit got a little more compelling last week when I discovered Agent Gallery. I actually found them through some of their auctions on eBay and eventually wound up digging through the company’s online shop. It has some nice industrial lighting for sale, and some other interesting objects and furniture. I’m not a lighting expert so some of that stuff could be crap, but it looks good to me. The prices also aren’t necessarily cheap, but they aren’t New York prices either.
I really think I need this telephone (Explosion Proof Telephone) mounted next to my desk, that would be bad ass. It looks like it escaped from Legoland.
In addition to selling industrial style lighting and furniture, the Agent Gallery also lives up to its name by exhibiting a rotating series of artists. Sounds like a fun use of their space and i’m sure it helps keep things interesting. I might have to visit someday. In the meantime I will just have to enjoy the city through the internets.
Post 27 is in the same neighborhood – literally and figuratively: http://www.post27store.com/
very cool, i was bidding on a index card unit for a while. they are really slick.
As an interior designer in Chicago I have been Agent Gallery more than a few times. The pieces are far more impressive in person and the showroom itself is quite nice. Anyone either in or visiting here shoud definitely stop by and take a look.
Looks like a great shop, I especially like the phone.
Much of the stuff also reminds me a lot of old stuff from my parents basement, yet another reason to dig trough it.
Also good in Chicago is Salvage One– http://www.salvageone.com
I think they have about 5 floors of stuff, and it’s all pretty interesting.
those quotation lights are sweet
Inspiring hardware, and so burly. Thanks.
I’m embarrassed. I live 4 blocks from this gallery and have never seen it. I mean, I’ve lived here for 3 years and nothing. Looks like a great find and it’s on my list for this weekend. Pathetic that I have to depend on a blog published from 1,000 miles away to find a cool gallery that’s 4 blocks from my house.
Thanks for the find,
Chris
You must check out Truck Furniture’s cases for this sort of faded, public utility kind of feel. They do it fantastically. And their Osaka showroom if beautiful if you are in the hood.
http://www.truck-furniture.co.jp/furniture/
If you like Agent Gallery you should check out Architectural Artifacts as well. Just went there a few weeks ago, and they have a ton of cool stuff like this. Plus they have an amazing space.
http://www.architecturalartifacts.com/
PS, you absolutely should come to Chicago.
You should be energized to visit Chicago because of what it is, not only because of what it sells.
For someone who publishes a blog which seeks to revitalize and energize homegrown Americanism and engender its appreciation, Chicago is the the home of Sears, Marshall FIeld, Montgomery Ward, Wrigley, Frank Lloyd Wright, Danny Lyon, John Belushi, Ernest Hemingway, Saul Bellow and Louis Sullivan, David Mamet and Second City.
Just walk its streets and eat in its restaurants and realize that it is a treasure.
I also wish I could visit that store. Canada has very little in the way of all things charming.
Thank you.
I love Chi-town too! My parents unfortunately moved to Seattle right after I left uni and now that I am a full time New Yorker, I rarely get a chance to visit. I did find a reason to go and visit the amazing Pitchfork Music fest from 2006-2008 and catch up with old friends though. Really lovely city. Always eat like a pig though when I go and have to detox for weeks after. Something about the junk food in Chi-town always gets to me. Remembrance of things past perhaps. Yes, and great vintage reasonable-priced shopping especially on stuff in the aforementioned sites above.
Great post, Agent Gallery looks like an interesting place to check out. It reminds of a place I read about, maybe you could check it out, Factory 20. Based on their website they definitely have steep prices but it’s fun to browse the antique industrial lamps and work benches.
Keep fighting the good fight.
http://www.factory20.com/
Anyone know of a good store like this in Philadelphia?