shopping, architecture
Florodora is such a cool shop! It's remarkably located because Michael Blossom, its' far sighted owner figured that there's nothing like it in the Loop, an area hardly known (until now) for small intimate shops that can yield a great fashion look.
It's on the ground floor, tucked inside the
majestic 
Monadnock Building bounded by Dearborn, Federal, Jackson and Van Buren Streets and listed on The National Register of Historic Places.
The main focus is contemporary fashion, much with a feminine look, a la the Florodora Girls who starred in the very successful Broadway musical ca 1900. Besides, Michael's grandmother Florence had worked in the Monadnock building years ago. The building was built at about the same time; 1889-93.
Make a special trip downtown to discover it for yourself and do it soon. Fall merchandise is in so it's a great time to choose from the wide selection. I saw loose, wrinkled effect belted tweed trousers, a marvelous 3/4 length semi opaque black sweater with handmade looking crochet details and what may very well be the most handsome leather
handbag in town (see photo). The "rock candy" bag has three huge compartments and at $325 is a steal compared to its' overly festooned sisters that are looking a bit old these days.
The separates pictured, a turquoise top with co-ordinating turquoise and brown skirt, sheer at the bottom are from Sofada, a Florodora exclusive in Chicago.
Additionally, there are small carefully chosen gifts and unusual jewelry from Chicago designers. Check out the "spring" ring for a handsome, yet whimsical piece.
Florodora is at 330 South Dearborn. Hours are 10-7 Monday-Friday and 11-4 Saturday. 312.212.8860.
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