Chic Antique Doubling Space, Leaving Boystown for Lincoln Ave

Business is booming at furniture refinishing boutique and design studio Chic Antique, so much that owner Crystal Blackshaw has decided to take the plunge.

Blackshaw says she plans to close her Boystown location at 3343 N. Broadway St. and open a new storefront at 3819 N. Lincoln Ave. That’s where she'll continue custom furniture renovations, as well as sell more unique furniture, accessories, art, jewelry and lighting.

But Blackshaw says her love for Lake View is still strong. The move west near Roscoe Village and Northcenter is perfect for now, but she hopes to return home soon.

“We’ve actually had four different stores in the last four years,” Blackshaw said. “Business is going really well, and everyone has positive things to say. The neighborhood is sad to see us go, but it’s for the better so the business can get a little bigger. Our long term plan is to get back into Lake View in a larger space.”

Blackshaw’s current store—which is bursting at the seams with vintage, redesigned furniture—is roughly 600-square-feet. Chic Antique’s new location on Lincoln is 1,000, meaning there’s plenty of room to grow.

And that’s exactly the plan. Blackshaw says because of high rent costs on Broadway, it’s time to think of a long-term goal. By moving to Lincoln Avenue, Chic Antique can join other nearby antique shops while saving for a bright future.

“There are a few antique stores on the same street, and we needed a larger space, so the store worked well,” Blackshaw said. “And because of our long-term goal, we just wanted to save money over time so we can open our dream store in the next two to five years. We love Boystown, but because of its popularity, the rents are super expensive.”

Chic Antique, which offers everything from custom refinishing to upholstery services, will hopefully be open on Lincoln by late September. Its last day in Boystown is Wednesday, Aug. 28.

It joins neighboring business Borderline Records, which also announced plans to leave Lake View citing the loss of Boystown’s gay appeal.

For East Lake View residents sad to see Chic Antique go, Blackshaw says the store’s full inventory is always updated on their website, so window-shopping online is still a breeze.