Lost Eras

Chicago, United States

4

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 773-764-7400
Website:
www.losteras.com
Address:
1511 W Howard St, Chicago, IL, 60626
b/t Greenview Ave & Clark St
Rogers Park
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
80 ftRogers & Greenview
110 ftHoward & Bosworth
580 ftHoward & Ashland
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
No
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Chicago) 9:45 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Lost Eras is a third generation Chicago family business in Rogers Park who have supplied costumes and props for motion pictures, theater, commercials, music videos, classroom plays and artists worldwide since 1969. We have a 6000 square foot showroom that is jam-​packed with costumes, props and antiques.

Unusual and rare items abound and everything we have is for sale OR rent!

History

Established in 1969.

This business was started in 1969 as an alternative-​style store that speacialized in health foods, head supplies and rare items… the name at that time was «The Sandpiper“The ultimate hippy shop!!! After a fire in 1986, the rare items and unusual clothing was what the focus turned to and the result is the present day «Lost Eras“the most fun place to come, hang out and explore if you like unusual, old, weird and crazy… you never know what you’ll find… Lost Eras was even listed ona site for the best place to take a 1st date! We noticed alot of people walking around kind of checking each other out, anyway, there is a theory, if it exists, its in this building!

Meet the Business Owner

Charlotte W.

Business Owner

We have a whole crew of great people that bring their specialties to Lost Eras… Charlotte is the chief buyer and is responsible for the eclectic collection that is all for sale or rent… Tina assists the many Theaters, plays, schools, commercials and movies that come through our doors to rent out items for their productions, we will gladly help you with any type of costumes or set dressing, we work on everything from Middle-​school holiday plays to the last Universal Studios production in Chicago with Johnny Depp,“Public Enemies» Whatever you can think of we will try to put it together for your production…

Jerry is our resident Geologist that is always able to identify any and all interesting minerals and any kind of strange objects that people may come across in their wanderings or that they may inherit, he gladly imparts his knowledge and expertise and alot of times people are pleasently surprised… we also bend over backwards for our sacred Holiday, HALLOWEEN!!!

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20 reviews of Lost Eras

No registration required
Place rating: 1
Chicago, IL
If you are lucky enough to never walk in here, consider yourself blessed. The majority of items can be also found at goodwill, the brown elephant, and etsy, and without a money hungry woman who bait and switches about what she charges for everything, to include rentals. There is a special place in hell for people like the owner of this place. She’s real hungry to sue as well. I can honestly say that renting from the Grinch would be more successful and less stressful. Steer clear artists especially, unless you don’t mind being screwed over hard.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
I got a great costume from here: a seventies outfit for an office party. It looks authentic, and they have plenty of choices in costumes, from almost any decade. Plus the staff was very helpful in deciding on the right look. I’ll definitely be back.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Fantastic place to find all sorts of strange costumes and unique antiques.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Take you back in time. if you like unique and strange things. this is the place.
Really nice it’s a different world once you come and visit shopping is amazing!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I have lived in the area for years on years, but I have never stopped in. I was talking a walk once with a friend, and we wanted to stop in. And wow, this place is truly a hidden gem. You could spend hours on hours in this store looking at costumes and antique items. My favorite is the jewelry. One of the managers told me that a lot of it is old because they get it from estate sales. Even I can tell by the quality and design that they are a bit older. My friend got a beautiful, layered pearl necklace. I got one of those 90s beaded bracelets and necklaces. The jewelry itself has a great variety. Not cheap– but it is quality. I will definetely be returning once I save up a bit more.
Go with a friend and just explore :) We were there for about an our and still did not see the entire place. There is a basement FYI.
Cannot wait to go back soon.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
A fan of used clothing stores, costumes, and cool junk, this is one of my favorite hidden treasures. Hidden, because it is on a part of Howard Street you may not normally stroll along when out window shopping. I’ve been ducking in for years around Halloween to construct my costume, picking and choosing from racks and racks of old and odd clothes in the basement, or to wander the impressive selection of costumes for rent – animals, medieval, sports, you name it, they probably have it. Looking for theater props? Loads of vintage items in the basement.
I also purchased a red wood, claw foot dresser from the used/​antique furniture side in 2005, which is still in my bedroom.
Lots of awesome and weird stuff. If anyone lived in Andersonville when it was cool and remembers George’s Junk Shop. .. like that, but with costumes.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
This place is amazing!!! Such a hidden gem. Could be there for hours!
The basement was filled with old nic nacs.
Organized for the most part!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
There is no other place in Chicago that has this kind of assortment of odds and ends. It is paradise for the conceptual photographer looking for a prop or if you need a halloween costume of ANY KIND.
They are really nice. Granted, some items can be overpriced, and parts of the store a little musky (what antique store isn’t?) but this is all cancelled out by the fact that they have saved me more than a few times when I needed something very specific.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I went there for Tea Cups and walked out with a lot than just a couple tea cups. They have just about anything you could think of!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
By Far the BEST place in Chicago for a DIY Halloween Costume. Large store and basement with everything from astronaut to scuba diver gear available. Almost any piece of clothing is available for renting so you don’t get stuck with something you will only wear once forever.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I love this place! They have unusual items that they don’t have at any of the other costume shops in Chicago. One of the reasons for this is that it is also a vintage shop, and the owner sometimes provides costumes for television and movies. She also goes to estate sales and buys up some unique items. There is really quite a bit of stock. The basement is full of stuff too, but you have to duck your head in some places or you will receive a big bump. I could spend hours sifting through items if I had the time.
The only thing I would change is that there are hardly any prices on anything, but sometimes that can work to your advantage, if the owner is feeling kindly towards you. You have to be willing to try and negotiate on prices. It is also in kind of a questionable area, but I am rating the shop itself and the staff.
Place rating: 3
Chicago, IL
I have never been inside Lost Eras until today and when I went inside it looked so disorganized and stuff was just left everywhere. But I guess that’s what you expect when you go into a store that’s in a semi-​bad neighborhood. there were 3 pairs of shoes i wanted to get which were $ 3 each and i told the lady I only had $ 5 and she was like, «oh». I really wanted the other shoes…
P.S: Also, will someone please tell the store owner not to leave furniture (for sale) outside the store? Especially by the bus stop. So annoying.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
I’ve been going to Lost Eras for the past four years with my two teenagers for their costumes and other goods that one can find with available time in the store. My favorite is everything found in the“Basement” we did not see any ghosts yet my daughter who is very intuitive did sense the vibe of the building. I highly recommend telling your friends Lost Eras is for me a great real Chicago type of place in a great part of the city.
The Pabs
Place rating: 1
San Mateo, CA
Lost Eras must have lost their minds.
I should have known better when I bought a wig that was clearly marked $ 16.99 on the mannequin and the price was instantly marked up to $ 20 at the register. We protested the instant mark up but their explanation was «oh. yea. that price is wrong»
When we returned our costumes, which were stained and definitely not the cleanest when we borrowed them, they charged us an extra $ 5 cleaning fee for each item. Are you kidding? We are talking about dingy, used clothes here. The stains were definitely there before we rented them and we had no way to argue against their «photographic» memory. Even if they weren’t, who cares the clothes are so dirty how could anyone tell. And shouldn’t they be washing the clothes every time someone rents anyway? shady.
Save your money and go to Goodwill where you can buy vinage clothing and actually keep them. $ 20 is way too much to rent clothes and then be charged a $ 5 fee on top of that.
Place rating: 2
Los Angeles, CA
Their selection is outstanding — you could easily spend a day here and not see everything.
Sadly, the service leaves something to be desired. They make up prices on the fly, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason or consistency in their policies. I hate feeling like I’ve been ripped off every time I’ve shopped here. Much of their costuming & «vintage» pieces are of dubious quality for what they charge.
Still, this is the place that may have that one elusive item no other store has. In my book it’s one of those necessary evils — I really love just killing time here wandering around every room with no idea what I’ll find on the next shelf or around the next corner. Too bad I dread going to the register.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I seriously could get lost in here for days… or eras I suppose. They ended up selling the cabinet that I wanted but that’s what I get for waiting to see if it will go down or not.
One recommendation is to swing by the basement… it is creepy especially when they have the guy down there doing repairs (I can’t help but think of every horror movie ever created especially house of a thousand corpses, if you’ve seen the movie you know what I’m talking about) and head down there with at least one friend… preferably a big strong guy (points if he’s cute)
Place rating: 3
Chicago, IL
After exploring more antique stores in Chicago over the last 2 years (and becoming slowly more well-​rounded on antiques), it really has dawned on me how junky this store really is, especially the basement. Although you can still find some decent things here, and this is definitely still better clothing-​wise if you’re looking for vintage/​Halloween/​etc. clothing, than either Edgewater Antique Mall, or Broadway Antique Market.
If I could give it 3.5, I would. The pricing here isn’t inconsistent like at Edgewater Antique Mall, or BAM, and the staff at least has remained decent over the years. I’d ideally put this at 4 stars, if the basement was ever cleaned up. And I don’t even have a problem with their low basement ceiling, either!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Very well-​kept secret. After eating an Italian beef at RPP (Roger’s Park Pizzeria), walk on over to search for some giant easter bunny heads, wedding dresses, viking costumes, and FANCY HATS.
I scored a cashmere and fox fur sweater here, in PERFECT condition, for $ 65. It’s so luscious and sexy. Mmmm.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
«I want to go to there»
one of my good friends lives in chicago, and you know, i love her and all, but i am plotting a return visit *cover your ears cheryl* just to go to this fantastic vintage store. I scored a 1950’s Oscar de la Renta dress for 50 bucks! INSANE. I cannot wait to return to chicago and spend some quality time at Lost Eras… i mean, catching up with old friends.
Place rating: 3
Park Ridge, IL
Eleven months out of the year, this is a dumpy junk shop. I walk past here sometimes on my way to the Howard CTA station, and I almost never see anyone inside.
However, during October, it becomes a treasure trove of costumes, props, and accessories. Selection dries up pretty severely as Halloween approaches, so shop early and take advantage of their «reserve» policy to hold your costume until the needed time.
In 2005, I completed a classy modern-​day Satan costume with a red-​satin-​lined cloak which was surprisingly high-​quality and less filthy than it could have been (this passes for a compliment). Halloween 2006 was brilliant thanks in large part to a last-​minute costume that I cobbled together at Lost Eras – a Highland warrior with kilt, sash, boots, sword, etc. Apparently many, many women want to ask what is under a man’s kilt. This can lead to lots of interesting coversations (and more!).
I had to return that costume a day late thanks to work committments, but the girl working the counter (not the owner, who is a notorious stickler) didn’t charge me a late fee.