Question:
I'm delirious with excitement. Just spoke with L'Artisan's U.S. CEO Francois Duquesne in New York, and he's going to have his "people" get back to me with the details about their new Chicago store, scheduled to open in early May.
I told Monsieur Duquesne the reason for my interest was to bring together Basenotes members, and he seemed happy to learn I could probably bring a parade of online fragrance friends to their boutique. When I learn of their exact location, I'll scout out other establishments nearby where we might sniff and dine.
We wouldn't have to go for opening day--that'd probably be too crazy. I'm hoping the staff might devote a Saturday to give us special attention. I'd love to sample L'Ete en Douce (formerly Extrait de Songes) because of Tovah's enthusiastic reviews. (Currently it is exclusive to Barney's.)
If you'd like a beautiful free catalog from L'Artisan, fill out their online form here, and you'll get one promptly (at least that's been my experience).
See previous thread about a Chicago get-together: here

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That sounds awesome. If it happens, I'll be there for sure!

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This is the location: 900 North Michigan. See this link.
Other smelly spots at this address include Bloomingdale's, L'Occitane, and LaLaque.
Now that we know the location, can any Chicago-savvy BNers recommend where we should dine?

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Great to hear that L'Artisan is opening their own store in Chicago. Ever since Saks dropped them, they needed a better representation in the Windy City... Needless Markup (I mean Neiman Marcus) is pure snob city, and C.O. Bigelow doesn't carry a good portion of the line.
Personally, I'd welcome their store as a sniffer party site with open arms. Oh, and 900 N. Michigan Avenue is also home to Bloomingdale's. Barneys (on Oak Street) is within walking distance, as is Water Tower Place (which has Macy's, Sephora, and C.O. Bigelow). A wee bit longer walk would be needed to get to Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, or Saks. Finally, there's an Apple Store on Michigan Avenue with plenty of computers and free Internet access so we can post our blog entries and Basenotes posts on-the-fly.

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That sounds like a great idea Quarry!!! I would love to have a NYC get-together. Although I'm not sure we would fit in the L'Artisan store...it's tiny!

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I have to correct something I said above: I spoke with L'Artisan CEO Joe Zorda, not Mr. Duquesne when I called Friday afternoon. Most of the staff may have taken off early for Good Friday.
Dear Mochi, Taolady and others pining to join fellow BNers. Chicago is "scentrally" located and is the United States' third largest city with fab museums and a real rail hub. If you've never experienced rail travel, you've got to hop aboard at least once in your life. It's nothing like air travel--yes, it takes longer, but that's because you're looking at countryside. The dining is very good. The atmosphere is unparalleled. People become sociable on a train because personal space is more fluid, especially from the observation car where you can look out while sipping a beverage. If you want to ask me any ???s about rail travel (I used to work for a magazine called Passenger Train Journal), please send me a PM.

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I'd be interested - depending on when it is. I might be there the weekend of May 19, so hopefully (crossing fingers) the trips coincide! I've never been to Chicago!

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I have never been to Chicago either, and would love to go! Esp. to L'artisan. I'd walk to the ends of the earth for them.

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I would LOVE to join you all!!! We'll see if my wallet allows me to!

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Quote: Originally Posted by mochi227 That sounds like a great idea Quarry!!! I would love to have a NYC get-together. Although I'm not sure we would fit in the L'Artisan store...it's tiny! I like this idea. I go to Adedes and sometimes can't find what I'm looking for. I want a L'Artisan store to visit but I didn't know there was one in NYC. Where is it!!??
I love the updates Quarry. Good stuff! I'm glad that L'Artisan is picking up new places in the states. Now, who is going to be the first basenoter to visit!? I need to hear all the details of what they are selling there that I can't find in the stores near me.