Popular shoe startup Allbirds is officially opening its first Chicago brick-and-mortar store this week, joining a growing number of e-commerce brands launching physical retail shops in the city.
San Francisco-based Allbirds is opening its Chicago shop at 843 W. Armitage Ave. in Lincoln Park on Thursday. The 2,000-square-foot space will allow shoppers to browse from its collection of wool running shoes, high-tops, loungers and other styles. Allbirds is also launching a special edition "Chicago" shoe, which is light blue with red accents and inspired by the Chicago Cubs---and only available at the Chicago store.
Allbirds, founded 2016, has made a major splash in Silicon Valley. It has raised more than $70 million to date and is valued at $1.4 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. Its backers include T. Rowe Price, Tiger Global, Fidelity Investments and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Allbirds is the latest e-commerce brand to call Armitage Ave. home. Other digital-first brands on the Lincoln Park street include Bonobos, Warby Parker, Tie Bar and Interior Define.
The startup's Chicago location adds to its existing physical stores in San Francisco, New York and London. Take a look inside Allbirds' new space below.
