Recommendation on a good marine store(not WM) in Milwaukee or Chicago?

[micksbuddy]

My sister is looking to buy some foul weather gear and wants to see it/try it on in person. Are there any well stocked marine stores, other than West Marine, in the Milwaukee area? Or if not in Milwaukee, how about in Chicago?

[ChicagoNewport27]

Larsen Marine in Waukegan, IL (http://www.larsenmarine.com/) has an excellent Ship's Store, as does Crowley's Yacht Yard (http://www.crowleys.com/index.html) on the South side of
Chicago.

[ChicagoNewport27]

Also, while I know in your original post you expressed an interest in anything except WM...

There are at least two West Marine stores in Chicago which are run by really nice folks that I would recommend: the North Avenue store, in Chicago, and the Skokie Valley Rd store up in Highland Park.

These two stores managers go out of their way to be fair, and they will work with you on price a bit. Especially if you've seen the item cheaper elsewhere (Defender, etc). They may not be able to excactly match a price, but they sometimes will split the difference for you.

[wescarroll]

About 55 miles due east of downtown milwaukee is Torrensen marine. A little farther if you drive though.

[richrand]

Isn't there also a Boater's World on Elston in Chicago? They might have some gear.

[ChicagoNewport27]

Originally Posted by richrand

Isn't there also a Boater's World on Elston in Chicago? They might have some gear.

Nope, that one closed over a year ago. There is one in Schaumburg, though.

Here's is the address:

Boater's World
Golf Road Shopping Center
697 East Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 847-839-9726
Approximate Distance: 34.52 miles

[marcusn]

I 2nd the notion of a good experience at the WM in Highland Park (on Skokie Rd). Very friendly folks who know their products, and are far more flexible than what you'd expect from a bigger retail chain.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by ChicagoNewport27

Nope, that one closed over a year ago. There is one in Schaumburg, though.

Here's is the address:

Boater's World

Have any of you ever found much of interest or much useful in a Boater's World store? I haven't. There's a brand new store opened not far from our sail club. Second time I was walking out w/o finding some fairly basic sailing-/sailboat-related thing I remarked to the clerk behind the cash register "Y'all really oughtta rename your chain ``Power-Boater's World.''" She gave me a sour look in return. Hey, if the shoe fits...

I don't bother with them anymore.

Jim