Merz Apothecary
Chicago
Established in 1875, Merz Apothecary is a historic European-style pharmacy in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood featuring classic woodwork and an old-world atmosphere. The shop is renowned for its vast selection of international goods, including an enormous imported soap wall, niche fragrances, hard-to-find French skincare, and herbal teas. Visitors also frequently seek out its specialty grooming supplies, vintage shaving products, and luxury candles.
Commenters hold an immense affection for the shop, often calling it one of their absolute favorite local destinations and comparing its charm to NYC's C.O. Bigelow. Visitors rave about the enchanting scents, French ambiance, and premium items like Mason Pearson hairbrushes and scent decants. While sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, patrons playfully caution that it is very easy to spend a lot of money browsing the shelves.
- Check out the massive wall of imported soaps and niche European skincare.
- Look for coveted grooming items like Mason Pearson hairbrushes and vintage shaving gear.
- Sample the niche fragrance decants and specialty herbal teas.
- Set a shopping budget ahead of time since splurging on luxury goods is very easy.
- Easily accessible via local Chicago transit routes for a weekend browsing trip.
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