UNIQLO - from Tokyo to Chicago

UNIQLO opened its first store in 1984 in Japan and currently has more than 1,600 stores worldwide. 42 of those are situated in the US> Before the opening of this amazing Chicago flagship store, I had only visited the San Francisco store where I was amazed by the variety, quality and prices. You can imagine how excited I was to be one of the happy few to get a sneak preview last week, before the official opening. 

1000 people waiting 

TV crews
©Leentje De Leeuw 

Long waiting lines
© Leentje De Leeuw 

While almost 1000 people were waiting outside, I could the store with tv crews of NBC, Fox and ABC. 

There sure was a lot of media attention and I must say that the PR people were just as nice to this Belgian blogger as they were to the 'big guys'. No complaints there. However: I was a little disappointed by the fact that we didn't get a chance to shop Friday morning. I did get an invitation for the party/shopping event on Thursday night, but I had other professional commitments, so I will have to back some   other time to do my actual shopping. On my list: the inevitable HeatTech, a down jacket, the Star Wars fleece blanket, and probably some cashmere stuff ... 

60 000 square feet & 400 employees 

Mayor Emanuel cutting the ribbon
©Leentje De Leeuw 

But Friday was all about the ribbon cutting ceremony with lots of VIP attendees, including Alderman Brendan Reilly, Billy Dec, Chicago Luvabulls, and of course Mayor Rahm Emanuel who seemed very happy with Uniqlo's 60000 square feet and 400 employees. And who would blame him? 

Besides contributing to the local economy, UNIQLO strongly believes in being active to the communities in which it operates. Prior to the opening, UNIQLO announced a partnership with the Chicago Bulls to foster the non-profit organization After School Matters in addition to the Museum of Science and Industry.

The UNIQLO Chicago Flagship is located at 830 N. Michigan Avenue. 

Of course, everything is available online as well. Subscribe to the newsletter and enjoy lots of promotions, both online and in stores. 

Chicago's first Pop-up Food Museum opens this weekend

Foodseum, the Windy City's first food museum, will open its doors to visitors this Saturday, September 19 at Block 37.  The three-month pop-up museum will pay tribute to its hometown with its first exhibit: “The Hot Dog and Encased Meat of the World.” The temporary museum will run until December 20.

“Food is such an important part of each of our lives,” said Kyle Joseph, executive director of Foodseum. “Foodseum will provide visitors a fun and interactive window into what's behind it all. Our exhibits will give visitors a taste of the positive impact an interactive food museum can have and how they can be a part of it. We’re looking forward to building a community that supports a permanent Foodseum in Chicago.”

At Foodseum, food lovers can expect to learn about food through interactive exhibits that stimulates the senses. Guests will be taken on an adventure through smell, touch and taste. A permanent location is expected to open in 2017. 

For more information about Foodseum, please visit 

Foodseum, the city’s first food museum, will open its doors to visitors on Saturday, September 19 at Block 37, 108 N. State St. 

Operating hours for the museum are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Please visit the Foodseum's website for more information 

Chica-GO 'Building Bridges'

Today Belgian touroperator Connections launched the amazing Chicago Building Bridges promotion.

For just €699 per person you have your flights from and to Brussels + three nights at the Chicago Freehand Hostel + an exclusive Leentje's Chica-Go guided walking tour. You can book until September 15th, travel is from December 15th until March 31st (except during Christmas break). 

So, what exactly are you waiting for ... ? 

See you soon, in the Windy City!