Kith and Jellycat Debut in the Chicago Retail Scene

Chicago’s retail landscape continues to evolve this fall with two distinct additions: Kith, the New York-based luxury streetwear and lifestyle brand founded by designer Ronnie Fieg, and Jellycat, the British plush label known for its whimsical designs and cult social media following. Both openings underscore how global brands are betting on Chicago’s mix of culture, tourism, and spending power to stage immersive retail concepts.

Source: McMillanDoolittle

Kith Brings Luxury Streetwear and Deluxe Desserts

Founded in 2011, Kith has grown from a small New York boutique into a full-scale luxury lifestyle brand celebrated for its high-profile collaborations – more than 50 and counting – with partners such as Nike, ASICS, New Balance, Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Versace. Headquartered in New York, Kith now operates more than 20 stores worldwide, including flagships in London, Paris, Tokyo, and Seoul.

Source: McMillanDoolittle

Its newest outpost in Chicago’s upscale Gold Coast neighborhood features a two-story flagship housing men’s, women’s, and kids’ apparel alongside Kith Treats, the brand’s dessert bar. Inside, walnut millwork, marble flooring, coffered ceilings, and gallery-style lighting reflect Kith’s signature balance of polish and play. The assortment spans from Nike and Salomon sneakers to Calvin Klein briefs, Byredo fragrances, Diptyque candles, and Leica cameras.

Source: McMillanDoolittle

A store associate shared that Fieg wanted to showcase his love of cereal and highlight it as dessert, leading to the launch of Kith Treats ice cream counters within the brand’s boutiques. The top seller, The Flat White, is an ice cream treat that blends Cinnamon Toast Crunch and toffee crunch that was created by the late Virgil Abloh, a Chicago native, fashion visionary, and longtime friend of Fieg.

Source: McMillanDoolittle

Kith’s arrival adds to the growing roster of luxury and streetwear names expanding into Chicago, including recent openings from BAPE, Balenciaga, Supreme, and Chanel. Collectively, these brands reinforce how Chicago’s high streets are becoming stages for experiential retail where fashion, food, and design converge.

Source: McMillanDoolittle

Jellycat Brings Its Whimsy and Nostalgia to the Midwest

Founded in 1999 in London, Jellycat has become one of the most recognizable plush brands in the world, celebrated for its soft, playful characters that appeal to all ages. Its new shop-in-shop inside Nordstrom on the Magnificent Mile marks the brand’s second U.S. location, following its standalone New York flagship.

Source: McMillanDoolittle

The compact “Road Trip to Joy” concept showcases the brand’s personality through orange shelving, cobalt walls, and the Jellycat mascot perched on a motorcycle greeting shoppers at the entrance. The store’s exclusive Carrot Cake plush has sparked local intrigue. As Chicago locals, skipping over deep-dish pizza or Chicago-style hot dogs in favor of carrot cake, a dessert with seemingly little connection to the city, was a bit of a head scratcher. A store associate explained that the U.K.-based team wanted the exclusive plush to be something “uniquely American,” offering a charming glimpse into the brand’s outsider interpretation of U.S. culture.

Source: McMillanDoolittle

Smaller than the New York flagship, which features a full café setup, Chicago’s shop focuses on tactile displays and limited-edition plush collectibles. During a weekday evening visit, lines of (mostly adult) shoppers underscored Jellycat’s explosive growth and cross-generational appeal. As part of the broader “grown-up play” movement, consumers continue to gravitate toward products that offer joy, comfort, and nostalgia, fueling growth in categories from LEGO Botanicals to plush collectibles like Jellycat.

To learn more about Jellycat’s U.S. brick-and-mortar debut, check out our previous coverage of its New York flagship store.