Just as San Francisco is home to a pirate store [really, the storefront part of 826 Valencia, a writing and tutoring center in the Mission], Chicago has its own spy supply store. Except that it doesn’t. Or maybe it does? Spy marketing is a wee bit confusing on that point.
Once you get past the surveillance cameras and the many signs proclaiming the store to be boring and to have nothing to do with spy supplies, you’re free to pick up some… spy supplies to benefit the writing and tutoring center. Among the offerings are periscopes, messenger pigeon supplies, night-vision goggles, and, of course, a vast assortment of disguises. While this store isn’t nearly as ridiculous as SF’s pirate store [I guess spies aren't as inherently silly as pirates?], it’s a fun experience to see how far this concept can be taken. And, it’s all for a good cause!
Hey, this is great! There are a few stores like this run by the same organization in other cities, too.
Comment by Marissa Jade — March 16, 2009 @ 7:53 am
I agree; I visited the pirate store in SF a couple of months ago, and there are several others that I hope to check out in the future.
Comment by visualingual — March 16, 2009 @ 10:25 am
This place is great! I always take visitors here, because there’s so much to look at, and it’s all for a good cause.
Comment by Aaron — April 13, 2009 @ 10:35 am