Entry No. 4 — the Chicago file — filed under: witchy
Sideshow Gallery
Opened in 2013 by artist Anne Elliott and tattoo-shop co-owner Cheri Basak, this Western Avenue storefront is an immersive curiosity shop and art-gallery hybrid. Taxidermy specimens and one-of-a-kind vintage artifacts compete for space with handmade jewelry, books, tarot decks, herbs, and candles. It also hosts markets, pop-ups, and rotating exhibitions, and runs classes ranging from tarot to taxidermy.
The story
In 2013, artist Anne Elliott and Revolution Tattoo co-owner Cheri Basak took over a vacant storefront at 2219 North Western Avenue, right beside Basak’s tattoo parlor. The two friends, who previously worked together as visual merchandisers, built out what they describe as 'morbid curiosity with a sense of humor.' Instead of a clinical art gallery, they created a hybrid space that operates as a curiosity shop, spell apothecary, and neighborhood hub for offbeat creatives.
Ground-level shelves hold preserved taxidermy specimens, animal skulls, and vintage artifacts tucked between handmade jewelry, occult paperbacks, indie tarot decks, and ritual herbs. Up the staircase, a second-floor parlor hosts rotating exhibitions by underground Chicago artists alongside private tarot readings offered by Elliott.
Beyond retail, the shop functions as a classroom for unconventional crafts, running workshops on topics ranging from taxidermy preservation to tarot fundamentals. During warmer months, pop-up markets and community gatherings extend beyond the storefront onto a rear outdoor patio.
What it's like
You step off a traffic-heavy stretch of Western Avenue into a room filled with the quiet scent of dried herbs, old paper, and candle wax. Ground-floor displays are packed tight, so take your time scanning rows of hand-poured candles, skull specimens, and obscure tarot decks. If you are hunting for a specific herb or natural artifact, staff members know their stock and can walk you through details without pretense. The upstairs gallery opens during rotating exhibition runs and scheduled classes, while the main store keeps daily afternoon hours (typically 12 PM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday, closing at 6 PM on Sunday)—though you will want to confirm hours before making the trip.
The move: Poke through the taxidermy and natural specimens, then pick out a tarot deck or oddity to take home as a memento of the day.
📍 Before you go Open daily but with limited afternoon-to-evening hours; events and classes are scheduled separately.
- 📍 Logan Square
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2219 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Logan Arcade — Two blocks down Western Avenue, you can trade animal skulls and ritual supplies for 1980s arcade cabinets, pinball, and a craft beer.
- Jen Jansen Tintype Studio — Three blocks east in Bucktown, extend your turn-of-the-century aesthetic trip by getting a wet-plate portrait shot on an 11x14 Deardorff camera.
- Covet Oddities & Macabre Gallery — A mile west in Logan Square, this macabre shop and museum space makes a logical second stop for oddities collectors.
- Comfort Station Logan Square — A mile away at the Logan Square boulevard park, move from indoor dark-arts browsing to public art shows inside a restored 1920s streetcar shelter.
Good to know
Who owns Sideshow Gallery and when did it open?
Sideshow Gallery was opened in 2013 by artist Anne Elliott and Revolution Tattoo co-owner Cheri Basak.
What kinds of items are available in the shop?
The shop carries taxidermy specimens, animal skulls, vintage oddities, handmade jewelry, tarot decks, occult books, herbs, and candles.
Does Sideshow Gallery host classes or readings?
Yes, they host scheduled classes on topics like tarot and taxidermy, and co-owner Anne Elliott offers tarot readings by appointment.
What are the store's typical operating hours?
The shop is open daily with afternoon-to-evening hours (generally 12 PM to 7 PM Monday–Saturday and 12 PM to 6 PM Sunday), but visitors should confirm hours prior to visiting.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Atlas Obscura · Yelp · canvasrebel.com
last checked: 2026-06-23