The resurgence of luxury retailers on Armitage Avenue continues with Koio, which has brought its high-end sneakers to Lincoln Park’s hottest shopping district. “Koio’s clean, minimalistic aesthetic is a natural fit for Chicago,” says brand cofounder and co-CEO Chris Wichert of the decision to open the company’s third brick-and-mortar outpost. “The city has always been one of our biggest markets.”
Indeed, the entirely Italian-made leather sneakers—even the shoe boxes are made in the Le Marche region—have quickly won over Chicago fashionistas for their timeless and streamlined styles, yet entirely of-the-moment aesthetic. Case in point: the Capri Triple White ($275), a crisp white low-top that’s one of the store’s best-sellers to date. 924 W. Armitage Ave., 773.360.8940