Salvage One

Got a Quasimodo fetish and want your very own cast-iron church bell for your living room? Well if you’ve got an extra $12,000 to spare, this wondrous West Side emporium of building salvage has you covered. It used to be that such lavish prices were the norm and that for most, except say Sam Zell and his homies, Salvage One and its rival Architectural Artifacts in Ravenswood were de facto “look but don’t touch” museums. However, in the last few years, the owners of Salvage One have dropped prices such that with the right credit card you can actually be the proud owner of some of Chicago’s squandered architectural craftsmanship. For those who still don’t have the ducats, the spot doubles as a marvelous found-art installation. One highlight: the courtyard waterfall made from repurposed melamine lunch trays and old organ pipes.

1840 West Hubbard
(312)733-0098
salvageone.com

Audience choice:
Broadway Antique Market
6130 North Broadway
(773)743-5444
bamchicago.com

Best of Chicago 2009

Epiphany Episcopalian Church

It’s Friday night and all the hipsters are going to…church? In a partnership with Empty Bottle Presents, Epiphany opened its doors to the rock community in mid-September with acts like Low, Jenny Lewis and the wacky Dan Deacon performing shows. At first it might seem daunting to attend a rock concert in such a sanctified place, but the crisp and booming acoustics simply put Aragon to shame. The absence of pews combined with flowing Goose Island beer and beautiful lit-up murals transforms the church into a full-fledged rock hall with an inkling of godliness.

201 S. Ashland
(312)243-4242
epiphany-chicago.org

Best of Chicago 2008