Reader’s Choice

The Ark on Milwaukee

Run by the Jewish social service agency of the same name, the Ark is as notable for the range of used goods it offers as for the volume. Entire dining room sets and eight-place table settings dominate the front of the store; farther back you might find a fancy espresso machine among the decrepit Mr. Coffees; along with food processors and toaster ovens there might be a lone full-size stove. A whole other storefront next door houses most of the rest of the furniture, though there’s some cheaper stuff in the basement, along with the old crutches, rollerblades, and computer monitors galore. There’s another location at 3345 N. Lincoln (773-248-1117), but although this one is smaller, prices are generally lower—you can sometimes even haggle. 1302 N. Milwaukee, 773-862-5011, arkchicago.org. —Julia Thiel

Readers’ Choice

Brown Elephant Resale Shops

Run by the Howard Brown Health Center, these shops also host free, anonymous rapid HIV testing; check howardbrown.org for times.  3651 N. Halsted, 773-549-5943; 5404 N. Clark, 773-271-9382; 1459 N. Milwaukee, 773-252-8801; 217 Harrison, Oak Park, 708-445-0612.

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