Oprah To Open Store

Oprah Winfrey is coming to a store-front near you! Okay, technically this only applies to those living in the Chicago area but it was a nice thought for a second, wasn’t it?

A spokeswoman for her company, Harpo Inc., said Tuesday that construction on a store for Oprah merchandise has begun at 57 N. Carpenter which is kitty-cornerned from Harpo Studios at 1058 W. Washington.

It’ll be a modest venture into retail - one story and about 4,500 square feet. But it’ll have a built-in draw with the audiences that come for the media maven’s TV tapings.

The spokeswoman declined to give an opening date or discuss other aspects of the store, saying many details are still being planned. But its offerings and general pitch are expected to be similar to the Oprah Boutique part of her Web site.

That’s where shoppers can choose from African-designed baskets and bead art, apparel, DVDs and must-haves such as the $14 iPod cover with the Oprah logo.

And if it’s true to form, shoppers will see pictures of Oprah, too. One or two at least.

Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., whose 27th Ward includes the Harpo studio, said the new store should draw tourists, a prospect that pleases him.

“We’re just happy to have her in the neighborhood,” he said. Burnett said he frequently sees people taking pictures in front of the Winfrey sign and not only during tapings. “I see them there on Sundays, too,” he said.

I WISH I WAS IN CHICAGO!!!!!

Tags: Oprah, Oprah Winfrey, store

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