Shopping in Addison

Raphael Espinoza talks midnight movies, must-read horror comics, and the nerdiest TV remote ever made. At Chicago Comics (3244 N Clark St), holiday cheer isn’t just universal in the traditional sense—it affects hundreds of fantasy universes, reaching from the Manhattan-based Avengers Mansion to the Justice League Satellite nearly 25,000 miles from Earth. Staff member Raphael Espinoza can recount many Christmas-themed issues, but his favorite is from 1981: Uncanny X-Men 143, which stars Kitty Pryde (alias Shadowcat) as the newest X-Men recruit. “What she thought would be a silent night soon turns into a deadly night, when she realizes she’s being stalked and haunted by a demon,” Raphael recalls. After seven years at Chicago Comics, Raphael still stays on top of countless canons to help shoppers find the storyline they seek. And because the seemingly infinite number of issues in a store can be intimidating, Raphael sticks to one piece of tried-and-true shopping advice: “Always ask the person behind the counter. We’re not all like The Simpsons Comic Guy, promise.” Thus reassured on the comic-book front, we asked Raphael for his thoughts on what else to gift self-proclaimed geeks this season. Where to Go For records and vintage souvenirs: Raphael recommends Bric-A-Brac Records (3156 W. Diversey Pkwy) for “the nostalgic geek who's obsessed with ‘80s memorabilia,” or for anyone who wants to browse an impressive selection of punk-rock records and cassettes. There’s even a friendly corgi you can play with as you shop. For quirky stocking stuffers: Uncle Fun (1338 W. Belmont Ave.) has classic gifts, such as Slinkys, sea monkeys, and Pez dispensers. They also stock far stranger items, including travel guides to oddball attractions and temporary hickey tattoos. For a professional sketch of your sea monkeys as superheroes: Local comic artists will be set up at Quimby's (1854 W. North Ave.) on December 15, brainstorming with guests who can commission drawings of their choice. Even when there’s not an event Raphael loves visiting Quimby’s, calling it “part bookstore, part comic shop, part rebel-literature hub, all coolness.” For game night: Sometimes the best present is a night out. Every second Sunday of the month is game night at the Public House Theatre (3914 N. Clark St.), hosted by local sketch group The Nerdologues. Gamers can drop in from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. to participate in the revelry, which may include rounds of Werewolf, Settlers of Catan, or a bring-your-own-game free-for-all. What to Buy For someone who’s just starting their comic-book collection: If you’re interested in classic DC heroes like Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman, Raphael says you’re in luck: “The entire universe has been rebooted and started afresh.” Ask your local comic shop how to best begin a story from the 2011 relaunch. Other staples you might want to look into are Neil Gaiman’s “dark, poetic, and beautiful” The Sandman series, and of course, Watchmen—“It’s the epitome of superhero satire,” Raphael says. For tales grounded in emotional realism, Raphael highlights Fun Home (“a beautiful tale of a woman’s childhood and the influence her father has had on her life as an adult”) and Asterios Polyp, whose midlife-crisis story is “one of the best examples of using comic narrative to push a story forward.” For the movie nerd: “The best thing you can get a geek is a gift certificate to the Music Box Theatre,” Raphael says. The old-timey movie house (3733 N. Southport Ave.) screens independent features as well as midnight cult classics, such as The Room, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (both screened regularly), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (screening February 7–8, 2014). For the Dr. Who fan who would live in a blue police box if they could: The 11th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver programmable TV remote ($99) from ThinkGeek. Raphael put it on his Christmas list because “you can control your TV with a mere hand gesture! How cool is that!?” For the comic-book fan who likes… ...epic fantasy: Raphael suggests Saga, a series about two extraterrestrials in love whose species have long been at war. “It's sci-fi wrapped in a fantasy epic, stirred with a little bit of Romeo and Juliet, [and] sprinkled with Buffy-esque wit,” he says. ...horror, but is tired of zombies: “If you haven't read Joe Hill's Locke & Key, I urge you to jump in your car, drive to your local comic shop, and pick it up,” Raphael says. The story deals with a father’s death, and how his family learns the terrifying secrets pent up in his childhood home. There’s also Charles Burns’s Black Hole, which Raphael describes as “a coming-of-age story about a group of teenagers [who] come into contact with an STI that leaves them with horrific mutations!” ...heroines with more character than visible cleavage: Raphael recommends Love & Rockets, saying that the series “has been evolving with some of the best characters in the comics medium since the 1980s.” He’s also a fan of Kelly Sue DeConnick’s interpretation of Captain Marvel, which has pilot and former Ms. Marvel Carol Danvers taking up the Captain Marvel title. Determined to buy the best holiday gifts of their lives, Groupon's Style & Beauty writers sought shopping advice from local experts. Click here for guides to buying presents for the fitness lover, foodie, or coffee addict in your life. Photo: top, Jeff MacDonald; middle, Stephanie Bassos, Groupon

Fifty years ago this month, the Beatles released their first album stateside. Mark the occasion with looks inspired by the band’s mod-turned-psychedelic-turned-hippie style. Most people over 55 can tell you exactly where they were when the Beatles first stepped onto Ed Sullivan’s stage. With nearly half the country watching, the performance solidified the band’s place as leaders of a pop-music revolution. But one month before the British Invasion “officially” began, Americans were already shaking it to “Please Please Me” and “Twist and Shout”—hit singles from the first Beatles album released stateside. Introducing … The Beatles first dropped on January 10, 1964, and spent nine weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard charts as Beatlemania infiltrated American radio stations. To celebrate the prolific band’s American debut, here’s a trio of looks inspired by three distinctive Beatles albums. (Fun fact: January 17 marks the 45th anniversary of the Yellow Submarine album release.) The Look: Introducing … The Beatles Album release date: January 10, 1964 By balancing clean lines and British-inspired houndstooth, this androgynous outfit reflects the band’s mod roots. A neon clutch, blue earrings, and metallic ballet flats add pops of color, ensuring the outfit keeps time with present-day trends. 1. White shirt; Intermix ($208) 2. Long blazer; House of Fraser ($245) 3. Houndstooth trousers; Mango ($69.99) 4. Neon clutch; Edith Hart ($150) 5. Silver flats; Lori’s Shoes ($88.95) 6. Drop earrings; Body Central ($5.90) The Look: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Album release date: June 1, 1967 This album’s art took a rather psychedelic turn, one that’s paid homage here with kaleidoscopic accessories and a military-style coat. To keep things from getting costumey, swap gold-tasseled epaulettes for a sophisticated cuff bracelet and technicolor pants for a neutral tee and jeans. 1. Military coat; Boutique 1 ($596) 2. Gray T-shirt; Scotch & Soda ($45) 3. Cropped jeans; Penelope’s ($188) 4. Chain cuff; Intermix ($315) 5. Gold boots; Very Volatile ($74.99) 6. Purple Haze ring; Vanessa Mooney ($325) The Look: Abbey Road Album release date: September 26, 1969 By the time the Beatles released their now best-selling album, they’d traded their slim-cut suit pants for bell-bottoms. Mimic the look with sophisticated wide-leg trousers the same color as John Lennon’s, and a feminine cami that matches Paul McCartney’s navy suit. A turquoise bangle, crossbody bag, and round shades add a subtle hippie vibe, though classic nude pumps prevent the look from feeling dated. 1. Pleated trousers; Sass & Bide ($350) 2. Silk tank; Tibi ($158) 3. Nude pumps; Lori’s Shoes ($94.95) 4. Crossbody bag; Francesca’s ($34) 5. Round sunglasses; Francesca’s ($14) 6. Bangle; Cities in Dust ($70)

Ellen Sternweiler’s Lincoln Square parenting store is shutting its doors. But this mother of three developmentally different kids isn’t done helping other families like hers. Ellen Sternweiler wasn’t exactly thrilled about moving to Wilmette. “As a Chicagoan, a city person, moving to the suburbs was akin to moving to Mars,” she says. But the owner of the Lincoln Square eco-friendly parenting store Bellybum Boutique (4347 N. Lincoln Ave.), open since 2008, recently made the tough choice to relocate so that her three children—who each face developmental challenges—can access better education. This big life change is also matched by a shift in her career path. In a few weeks the Bellybum storefront will close its doors so Ellen can put more focus onto the other half of her business: Sensory Kids, a shop that caters to children with developmental disabilities. From March 4 to March 26, Bellybum products from cloth diapers to baby carriers will be discounted 15%–90%, both in the store and online. “Sensory” toys available in store will also go on sale, but Ellen is saving her Sensory Kids online inventory for a big website redesign launching later in 2014. Why the Switch? Although she still feels passionately about green parenting, Ellen feels letting go of that side of the business will allow her to put more energy into an area where she can do the most good. “Sensory Kids is something I will never outgrow. That’s a timeless thing,” she says. “I know so many people whose lives are forever affected by this. It never goes away.” She also hopes living in the suburbs—and nearer to the expressway—will make Sensory Kids more accessible to the people who need it. Although the old website will be accessible until the relaunch, Ellen will make it even easier for parents and kids to try out her sensory clothing, developmental toys, and therapeutic aids during in-home visits. “I’m finding that there’s quite a bit of people in the greater Chicagoland area that [have] heard of me. They need me, I’m a destination, but they can’t make it here. And so I’ve had a lot of requests to come to them.” It Should Not Be This Hard Sensory Kids was born out of frustration. Even after hours of research, Ellen could not locate the educational aide recommended by her child’s school. “I threw my hands up, like this is ridiculous,” she recalls. “It’s hard enough having children with extra needs. It should not be this hard to find what they need.” So she began stocking her own store with handpicked toys, aides, and educational resources for other parents like her. The need turned out to be vast. She had customers driving in from all over the Midwest, and many more were placing orders online. Ellen wasn’t just a vendor—she was a valuable resource. “It’s a natural thing for people to look for my perspective because I work so closely with the therapists, doctors, and educators,” she says. Building a Support System Sensory Kids built off the inclusive vibe Ellen fostered at Bellybum. “Any kind of family unit is welcome in my store, and any decision that they made is theirs and I respect [it],” she says. “We’re here to provide information and support, not to judge.” This philosophy extends to her youngest customers, too. “One of the most amazing things to watch is children who come in feel so comfortable being themselves, whoever that self is,” she says. “[They’re] able to walk into the store and pick out a weighted vest for themselves and not feel like it’s weird or different.” She also savors the reaction she gets from parents. “What they whisper to me when their child is out of earshot is, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this. This is what I’ve needed. Thank you.’” Photo: Bellybum Boutique