Customers come from as far away as Hyde Park to the north Lakeview shop, where trustworthy mechanics replace flats, fix brakes, retool engines, and help with other mechanical aches and pains.
Ashland Tire & Auto Clinic, 3737 North Ashland Avenue, between Grace Street and Waveland Avenue (773-549-0084).
The no-frills Lincoln Park shop revives broken heels, nurtures worn-out soles, and repairs frayed leather with refreshing honesty and speed. The staff happily does rush jobs while you wait.
Gus New Quality Shoe Repair, 2361 North Clark Street, at Fullerton Parkway (773-525-0133 or gusnewquality.com).
The vintage jewelry whisperers at the Loop studio replace lost stones and shine dulled ones to a like-new luster. Refreshing costume baubles is their specialty, but they tweak fine and estate jewelry as well.
Costume Jewelry Repair House, 55 East Washington Street, at Wabash Avenue, suite 443 (312-782-7810).
Professionally trained mechanic and cycle enthusiast Adam Clark rides his mobile bike shop to your door to fix your cycle. He takes care of flats in a pinch — even on baby strollers.
Pedal to the People, 1048 West 37th Street, between May and Morgan Streets (773-355-0882 or pedaltothepeople.com).
Before your happily ever after, take bridal garments — gowns, sashes, headpieces — to the downtown studio for tailoring or restyling. Non-lovebird-related work, like sewing on coat buttons and hemming pants, is also welcome.
The Dress Doctor, 845 North Michigan Avenue, at Chestnut Street, suite 946e (312-943-2828 or dressdoctor.com).
Mother-daughter team Diana and Liz Durkes turn dumpster-caliber chairs, couches, and tables into displayable statement pieces. Everything from upholstery to paintwork to wood restoration is fair game.
Fine Diving Chicago (didurkes@yahoo.com or finedivingchicago.com).
Truck driver by day, Mr. Fix It by night, Joe Ebervein lugs his mobile bike repair shop to you for everything from simple tune-ups to complete overhauls. He even delivers replacement parts (tires, pumps, tandem cables) free.
On the Fly Bicycle Repair (847-436-2453 or ontheflychicago.com).
Robert Wilson, who has a reputation for being both capable and friendly, solves all your washer, dryer, and dishwasher woes. He travels to most parts of the city and accepts emergency calls.
The Fix-It Guy Chicago (773-557-8999 or thefixitguychicago.com).
Maria Tesseris is the city’s grand dame of fine garment reconstruction. In a gated Gold Coast atelier, she uses a steady hand to finesse intricate designer couture. But she’s just as comfy stitching a rip in your favorite Levi’s.
Golden Needle, 814 North State Street, at Pearson Street (312-787-3416).
Known as the repair shop other repair shops send their stuff to, the longtime go-to revives broken record players, mixing boards, amps, and even old-time gems like reel recorders.
Deltronics Pro Audio Repair, 2911 North Halsted Street, between George Street and Oakdale Avenue (773-549-6635 or deltronicschicago.com).
Before hitting the panic button when you have a laptop problem, call Kelley Boylan. The pro comes to you for fixes and gives advice on security software and necessary upgrades to help prevent future meltdowns.
Kelley Boylan Computer Service (773-929-4417 or zensupport.com).
Museums and cultural institutions take their holdings to the trained hands at the downtown studio. Trust them to restore water-damaged or ripped canvases to gallery-worthy status.
Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration, 1006 South Michigan Avenue, between 9th and 11th Streets, suite 706 (312-939-7630 or baumgartnerfineartrestoration.com).
Old Town’s favorite mom-and-pop stitches, hems, pleats, and alters your clothes back to their usual perky selves. Complicated fur and leather garments are welcome.
Tails, 1414 North Wells Street, at Schiller Street (312-642-3711).
When your ax needs loving, call Geoff Benge (he’s fixed the guitars of Iron & Wine and Andrew Bird), a whiz covering everything from fretwork to bridges to pegheads, so you can jam on.
Geoff Benge’s Guitar Shop, 3551 North Damen Avenue, at Addison Street (773-248-0387 or chicagoguitarrepair.com).
The crew at the friendly shop goes to work on anything related to car windows. Most commonly, it’s cracked windshields, which they doctor quickly and affordably.
Fernandez Auto Glass, 2733 North Western Avenue, between Diversey and Elston Avenues (773-252-5106).
When red wine stains strike, take them to these magic wand wavers (a.k.a. highly skilled cleaners), who have a knack for reversing party fouls.
Barry-Regent Cleaners, 3000 North Broadway Street, at Wellington Avenue (773-348-5510 or barryregentcleaners.com).
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