The Alley

I popped into this store years ago when I lived in the neighborhood (probably for something Halloween related, hell if I remember). My low-​rating is less about their offerings and more about their business practices. For the past two months I’ve been getting multiple robo-​calls (sometimes twice a day, sometimes at 8am on a weekend!) with an auto-​recording from their owner. I must’ve wound up with my info in their system from a purchase forever ago, and now I can’t get these automatic calls regarding their closing to stop. (never had a call until they announced the closing, and there is no option in the recording to stop them) Super unprofessional to add people to a marketing list without permission or an opt-​in/​opt-​out. Not surprised they’re going out of business.

What a shame this place is closing. Have had a blast every time I come here. Chicago classic going away. It seems the reviews here are all over the place. I guess it’s your scene or it’s not right? I love the Taboo Tabou part of course. Where else can you ask people about bondage gear and they actually give you vivid descriptions from personal experience and help you find the right size/​item for what your needs are. Some people may not find that kind of thing as a plus, but I do :). The women who work here have always been super friendly. I had one help me find the perfect corset and even helped me get it on. lol That’s quality customer service right there. I would have been a little lost had I had to figure it out at home all alone.
As far as the rest of the store goes, they usually have pretty good promos, now they are liquidating everything so if they are still open I suggest you get over there. I surely hope this place is opening up somewhere else soon. I will miss you until then.

I was a regular customer years ago and never had a bad experience shopping here. When I did need to return or exchange something, they did it without hassle. In fact, it was my regular place to shop for shirts, dresses, jewelry and shoes they didn’t sell anywhere else at the time! I shopped here before and after going to Medusa’s night club and record shopping at Wax Trax. This was way before the Internet and Hop Topic and the place was amazing! We loved shopping here nearly every weekend when the entrance was actually in the alley behind the store. My first time entering there was so exciting! Sorry to see it change and relocate. The neighborhood won’t be the same without it, but the neighborhood probably hasn’t been the same for several years anyway. Thanks Mark for years of cool shopping and memories I’ll never forget!

I have loved this store for years! It was a sad day when I learned that they will soon be closing. I love the vibe, love the employees, and all that they offer. I really hope they find another location and re-​open again. I heard part of it is staying, but it will never be the same. Farewell old friend!

So sorry to see that the alley is closing few people understand customer service like Mark Thomas we are headed there tonight to say goodbye

This place has an awesome variety of body jewelry, especially the neo-​metal jewelry, and I love the other sections of this store! However, the piercer with the whisker mustache is extremely condescending. All I wanted was new jewelry for my helix and he acted as if I was bothering him for asking questions about the jewelry I was buying! He also tried to pass me off to another guy named named Oscar who wasn’t even in the store! I guess he was really that busy that he couldn’t help me pick out one piece of jewelry! All in all, I will never buy jewelry from this establishment again!

To say I was extremely frustrated when I walked out of the alley is an understatement. My friend and I wanted to get our cartilages pierced for her birthday and many of my friends recommended we try the alley. From the start the piercer was extremely short and condescending when he spoke. If we weren’t in a hurry we would have walked out and gone some place else. BUT we didn’t we stayed and it just got worse. I have gotten several piercings from other shops and have never had such an uncomfortable experience. It got to the point where I just didn’t want to say anything in front of him. The piercing aspect of it was fine. He was a little rough at the end when my ear wouldn’t stop bleeding and was clearly frustrated with it, but I can deal with that. The bad attitude he had was honestly the only part I had an issue with. After we were done we received absolutely no after care instructions from him other than a sheet of paper. Fine whatever I know how to read, but considering it was my friends first piercing that wasn’t her ears from 10 years ago it would have been nice for a little extra something for her.
The jewelry they use to pierce is expensive. Much more expensive than I’m used to, but if it really is as good of quality as they say I don’t mind the price.
Everyone else in the store was extremely pleasant. The cashier was super sweet and what I was assuming was one of the managers came over and talked to us and was really nice as well.
The only reason the alley is getting three stars is because of those girls and the wide selection of jewelry they had available. The piercer didn’t even tell us his name. I probably won’t ever return, but I hope other customers have a better experience than we did.

Love my piercing by Oscar! He was great and would give him five stars! I barely felt the needle and he made me feel pretty comfortable. Giving The Alley four stars overall due to pricing. The piercing itself was $ 35, plus over $ 40 for a regular stud, and then I also got a gold hoop which was $ 60 (+tax), so seemed a bit expensive. Service was definitely FIVE STARS, price was THREE STARS though.

Put bluntly: I have NEVER had a bad experience at The Alley. EVER. Period.
In fact, please allow me tell you about all the positively WONDERFUL experiences I’ve had there, and all of the excellent staff who I’ve had the pleasure of being helped by.
On my most recent visit on 7/​29, I wandered into the store to see what sales the store had going on and how it had changed since the recent combining of the three stores into the one main space.
I was delighted to find that all of my favorite parts of Architectural Revolution, Taboo Tabou, and The Ally were all still there. The incense/​jewelry/​artifacts of Architectural Revolution, the sexy costumes and toys of Taboo Tabou, and the T-​shirts, leather, and SHOES (!) of The Alley (and Taboo Tabou). If I may humbly say, I think they have made their transition well and gracefully and I am happy to see them continue to flourish in their main multi-​level location.
Upon entering, I meandered into the shoe section and was greeted warmly by the lovely Annie. Her welcoming atmosphere is something I’ve come to expect when I come to the Alley. Who says you can’t be punk/​cool/​goth/​tough/​alternative/​biker/​glammer/​rocker/​hippie/​whatever and still be nice? Anyway, Annie was extremely helpful in showing me which shoes were on sale. In fact, the first thing I asked for, «The cheapest shoes in a size 11,» she instantly took me to, and they were PERFECT! (and only $ 35!!) She also brought out other ones I chose for me to try on and was always nice and cheerful and an absolute pleasure to be around. Annie, always remember– your calves are perfect!
Next, I went down into Taboo Tabou to check out their toys and outfits. The atmosphere there, just as in the rest of the other parts of the store, was relaxed, welcoming, and fun. There, I was assisted by Zara who showed me where the clearance outfits were and also what toys were on sale. Her knowledge of the toys (holy sh1t! CORDLESS HITACHI!) as well as her candid and straightforward attitude really helped me feel comfortable and able to talk to her about what kinds of toys I liked and what I was into. She was cool, assertive, and very matter-​of-​fact and I don’t know about everyone else on Unilocal,but THAT’S the kind of person I want to talk to when buying sex toys– someone who is not afraid or embarrassed to answer questions, but just puts on her big-​girl britches and gets the job done. Thank you Zara!
I was so delighted by the absolutely wonderful time I was having there, that I decided that I simply HAD to tell the owner. I asked if he was around and Forrest kindly and efficiently helped fetch him so that I could tell him about my «tremendous customer service» (as Forrest put it, and which it was :)
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I would like to pause here and tell my fellow consumers– If you like some place you are shopping, or have had really good service, or someone really made a difference, or even if you just like the store– please tell them! Having also worked in retail, too often all we get are the complaints and whiners. Please use your consumer-​power for good– make the world a better place, make someone’s day, and let them know that they are doing a great job and you appreciate it/​them. It’s important.
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Let me tell you guys that Mark, the owner, is one of the nicest, sincerest and coolest guys you could ever meet (AND he’s got a great handshake too!). He was happy to hear my compliments and also introduced me to his daughter Alexis who also helps run the store now and has been in charge of the transition. A nicer pair of people you will not find, my fellow Unilocalers! Not in any other stores, especially not Alley-​like-​wannabees. Forget about all the complaints from the crabby grouchy types who will never be satisfied, and come out and support a store who has been a mainstay in Chicago for the last 40 years!
I am happy to have my dollars go to all of the cool, awesome, friendly, and just f*cking rockstar employees of the Alley. Thank you Mark and Alexis for creating and for keeping such a cool place going! And thank you for all of the smiling, cool, and fabulous members of the team who I have had the honor and pleasure of meeting. You guys are the BEST!
P. S. I almost forgot to mention– Mark was so warmed by my honesty that he gave me a coupon for a free Alley t-​shirt! And in the t-​shirt section was the lovely Anissa who, with great patience and dedication, helped me find the perfect shirt and let me wander around (while I tried not to make a mess) while I looked through the many awesome and cool Alley and Chicago-​themed t-​shirts to choose from (I ended up getting 2!). Seriously guys– there are A LOT of really f*cking cool shirts! You should all go there right now and buy one… or two… or four! One for $ 10.95 or 2 for & $ 20 bucks. Christmas is right around the corner and your friends will all love you ;)

I love the store and have for years, although since Tabou Taboo and Architectural Revolution merged into the building the stock has diminished quite a bit. Still a very fun place to visit and you can always find something. I’d buy more all the time except everything is pretty pricy (though recently they’ve been doing some great sales). They have awesome «The Alley» tees and the staff seem to have gotten friendlier in recent years.
After talking to one of their piercers (Oscar) a few times, I decided to try their piercing their. I had my tragus done. Oscar was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and the piercing room was super clean. He even made some small personal modifications to my jewelry at no cost without being asked (he made sure it was okay first, though) so that it would look much better on my small ears. The actual piercing process was quick and as painless as a tragus piercing could be. Definitely a five-​star piercing process.
In summation: I don’t know anything about their tattooing, but I give their piercing (at least with Oscar) five starts and the shop itself four. Overall a nice place to check out.

Very sad came to return a product. I undemanding the policy, But when the manager says they won’t take this Shitt back. That shows what poor customer service they have. I had nice tone with asking what my options were. Customer rep, says I am eating good the cost of Taking item back. which is not good to tell a customer. Then the manager said have him take that Shitt back. Wow, what a way to talk to a customer, that wanted to place a Huge order for a theatre show coming up. YOU DEF Lost my business.

The piercer with the huge gages and gaudy gold septum ring was a total prick to us and the customers before us. Prick as in slamming cabinet doors and not being able to answer simple questions without talking down to everyone. Dude, if you’re sick of your job, quit… And if you’re just too hungover to deal with people, then just call in sick… They’re way overpriced for jewelry anyways.
Not going back, ever…

I’ve always had ok experiences with the piercers and the body jewelry at the alley, except a few weeks a go, I came in to get my septum ring changed. I ended up buying a beautiful $ 90 horseshoe type ring and the piercer there (not my usual, Sarah) put the new ring in and he also put in my own nostril jewelry while I was on the table. I was very disappointed to find not even a week after I paid for a professional to put in my beautiful new septum ring, that one of the rhinestone captive beads had just… fallen off. I wouldn’t be so pissed if I hadn’t spent that much money on a septum ring that looks ridiculous now because it wasn’t put in correctly. Lesson learned, will not be returning unless Sarah is there.

$ 7 Alley tees whaaaaat!
Apparently you either love the Alley or you have no use for it whatsoever. I still love it. I love the vibe, love the employees, and I really love the merch. My alley tees are regulars in the lineup.

Their body jewelry is just way overpriced. I mean wayyyyyyy overpriced. Maybe slightly better quality than Hot Topic where you can get a pair of organic plugs for $ 25 and nose rings for $ 10, the Alley has a bigger selection for 3 times that price. My wife bought one pair of plugs for $ 75 and I got a nose stud (which they sell in two pieces, a separate charge for each piece) for $ 40. Save your money, shop online.

This is the store that every alternative kid grew up in, my first piercing, my first band tee, first doc boots and first leather jacket were all bought here.
Nowadays I go here for my small gifts got my xmas gifts for the mom and sisters in the silver/​jewelry section. And for my nephew who’s at that age where he loves skulls and graphic tees. Bought my girl her valentines gift from there selection of jewelry she loves Buddhas and elephants, only place with a selection of that under $ 40 bucks.
Customer service has always been friendly in their own punk rock way. They help but are not in your face trying to up-​sell you. The chick in the Jewelry section, actually helped me pick the deal for four gifts for the price of three. I like the stores being in one building actually instead of hopping around too. Mark Thomas has been involved in that hood forever it seems, a real Chicago staple from a real Chicago dude.

I don’t understand the negative reviews. Granted I was here a lot more when I was younger (although I was way too broke to really buy much), I don’t think I’ve ever had a negative experience, even after my obnoxious weird infatuation with this place waned a little.
My last time in was to buy a few gag-​y gifts for Christmas for my boss, since they’ve consolidated all their shops into one– the Tabou Taboo girls were really helpful as always, & joked around a bit with me and my coworker.
The time before that I was in to look at shoes, & even though I didn’t purchase anything, the dude helping was really nice.
Also, to the dude complaining about not being able to carry his gun inside? Learn how to fucking type, you tool.

Honestly, I’m not sure why I am writing a review for The Alley, considering that I feel like I have grown out of the stage in my life in which I desire many of the items and fashion accoutrements that they are selling. Perhaps it is a requiem for that time in my life, as well as a requiem for The Alley and it’s neighborhood before the area became hopelessly gentrified.
In the mid 90’s this was one of the places that my friends and I would come to for an excursion into «the big city» to sample a slice of life that was nonexistent, or at the very least unrepresented in our neck of the woods. It was really hopping, too! There was a vibrant energy to the place. They used to blast music that was not commonly heard in small towns or suburbs, and the place had a deliciously festive atmosphere of misfits sharing a common social bond. Just the experience of visiting the place offered a window into a lifestyle that was seemingly urban and foreign to many of us kids from small towns.
Fast forward 15 years and most of the stuff the Alley offers can be found at Hot Topic or other places in small-​town piercing/​tattoo stores and even suburban malls. The pierced/​dreadlocked/​dyed haired social misfit has become a cliché, just as stereotypical and predictable as a Lakeview «bro» decked out in Cubs gear.
Perhaps the Alley just hasn’t aged well with the times, and it probably isn’t really their fault. Just visiting the place it seems like a dated relic, one that I wish would have burned out with the times rather than limp through the days as a hollow shell of it’s former glory.
Of course all the «real» punk kids from the 80’s would probably tell me that The Alley always sucked and that my nostalgia for it’s heyday stems from naïveté, but hey, that’s the way it goes, right?

Christ, some of these reviews are hateful.
I stopped by a few weeks ago and got all worked up over the plethora of fancy curio knick nacks. The guy who checked us out was super friendly and able to answer whatever questions I had, with a freakin’ smile, if ya’ll can even believe that.
I’ve shopped here about 5 times over the passed 10 years and I’ve not had any bad customer service experiences. I’m certainly not 13 and I’ve mostly outgrown my «all black errrythang» stage but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me for still thinking this store has some appeal, dang.

This just feels like an impersonal generic store, it just felt like there was no heart in this store and it’s just a way to make money. At the end of the day everyone likes to get paid, we all understand that but if you’re not passionate anymore you should just quit and find a new way to make a living. Yeah, i bought some cool shirts there but that’s it. A day later an owner of another shop in this style (this time in wicker park) asked what i thought about the alley after i told we were there, i told her the same thing i wrote here and she said that’s about the general consensus in Chicago about the alley.
After we got back home in Europe i saw their ‘reality show’ on youtube and that pretty much sealed the deal for this store for me.