The Good Old Days Antiques

I needed two floor lamps. Only, I didn’t want just ANY floor lamps.
I wanted torchiere candelabra floor lamps, c. 1935 – 1945.
Yeah, I’m one of those people.
Anyway, a friend suggested this place may have just what I was looking for.
When I walked in, I was greeted by the guy behind the counter. I told him what I was looking for — and he said:
«Well, check out what we have in the basement, there are a few on this floor, and a few more on the second floor.»
Good! He knew what I was talking about! I ventured into the basement.
Let me explain the basement: It is essentially every basement in every Grandma’s house in America. There is stuff everywhere — including cob webs. Though, this space is a treasure trove. I found 2 lamps. The sales guy happened to walk down while I was down there, and I asked him «How much?» The price he gave me made me smile inside, and I didn’t even counter offer. SOLD.
I did go upstairs, for «inspiration». There they had about a half dozen fully restored and rewired lamps. They were, sadly, out of my price range.
When I came back downstairs, the sales guy had carried the lamps upstairs for me. I rang out, and made small talk. I was totally distracted by the dozens of AMAZING tube radios that were all restored and for sale. I could have spent even more — but I was a man on a mission.
After I rang out, I realized that I no longer drive a big orange SUV. I know drive a tiny orange MINI. But guess what? Both 5″ lamps fit in the car.
For the past few weekends, I’ve been reading, stripping the paint of the lamps (one has a swirl agate base), and getting all the wiring and bulbs I needed. This past weekend, I finished my little project. The two lamps you see before you have been merged into one — and I found another one in a little shop in West Chicago.
Hurray for Good Old Days! I’ll be back. There are so many other things I need!

What a great shop! Read about shop on the internet and went looking for an old radio as an anniversary gift. Found the perfect one and in the process was able to explore all three floors of treasures! Staff was incredibly knowledgable and helpful and made finding a gift item I knew nothing about a fun and smooth process! I wish I lived in Chicago and would then buy lighting fixtures and furniture from here for my house! Beautiful stained glass windows and old shuters too. I plan on visiting every time I am in town now. Super place to browse and buy! Thank you for all your help in choosing the perfect gift!

I was looking for a special gift for my boyfriend’s birthday. I knew he had mentioned he wanted a globe and I was determined to find him a unique old one that would compliment the style of our home. I looked on Unilocal for reviews of antique stores in the area and The Good Old Days got great reviews and was close by. Within the first 5 minutes of walking in, I found the PERFECT globe. It was a great price too. The store is filled with cool things and I could have walked around for a few hours looking at everything. It has 3 levels jammed full of unique items that would be great gifts — or to add accents to a home. The guy who was working (maybe the owner — he was a guy with a ponytail) was cool and helpful. A great place to go. I will be heading there again!

This place is just great. I was first referred to this place by my good friend who knows what I collect. This place if great. If you are looking for a junk shop with cheap merchandise this place is not for you.
They feature very high quality antiques at fair prices. There are many items you could find for less than $ 20.00 and if you feel like investing into something more substantial the restored antique radios are beautiful and all work. Check this place out. You won’t be disappointed. Also I was on public transportation and the owner packaged the antique fan I bought in a box with bubble wrap so I could get it home safe. Thank you.

I found exactly what I was looking for, however it was a bit out of my price range, but it was worth asking price (It was even more woth the negotiated price $ 40 lower than asking). I didn’t leave empty handed, I found some great photos of The Worlds Fair. I will for sure go back! great place for stained glass, radios, antique signage and photos. Hopefully the table I wanted will still be there, and my boyfriend wont talk me out of getting it.

I know why there aren’t tons of reviews… this is a great place, no one wants other shoppers to know about it! I found great vintage Chicago pictures (building the bleachers at Wrigley) that were the perfect accent for our game room. The guys were knowledgeable and welcomed browsers. If you see something you like, buy it because it won’t be there next time, especially stuff in the basement.

I absolutely agree with all of the other reviews of this establishment: Bruce, the owner, was great to talk to and the place holds a wealth of antiques – Chicago-​specific and otherwise. The prices are definitely reasonable and the building itself is amazing – built in 1908 I believe he said. Books, furniture, pictures of music & sports celebrities, signs, SO great. What drew me in, though, were the original (and BEAUtiful) stained glass windows recovered from Bungalows, etc. I WILL purchase one of those for my new house!

GREAT stuff in here. You must check it out. Great prices, and lots of goodies. Perfect for any antique lover out there. Go, right now!

Wow… I can’t believe this place doesn’t have more reviews… but the fact that all of them have been 5 stars says a lot!
I was «antiquing» with my visiting sister since I noticed a lot of antique stores on Belmont. We were the type collectors groan about: we had no intention of buying, the trip was more of a museum experience with the possibility of a few small purchases.
This is the best antique store on Belmont.
This is the best antique store I’ve been to in the city.
Why:
The prices were reasonable.
Their antique radios are rebuilt with expertise and respect.
The layout… three stories, small rooms, all filled with no rhyme or reason makes antiquing extremely pleasurable.
The man I talked to, presumably the father of the owner, was authentic and kind… but only as kind as he could authentically be. All he cared about was cubs radio and the fact that his son, despite having his own house, still had his junk sitting around his dad’s place.
The number one reason… the reason for 5, heck, 6 stars: an obvious dedication to Chicago history. This place could be a Chicago history/​bar memorabilia/​cubs museum. But it’s not. It’s an antique store; you can actually buy, at reasonable prices, the pieces of Chicago history you, and the owner, admire.
Note: I bought a (non antique) giant Fat Tire metal sign for $ 20. I also bought an antique radio for about $ 7 (no, it wasn’t one of the super fancy pretty rebuilt ones) and I’ve been totally satisfied with my purchases.
Don’t change anything, Good Old Days; you’re perfect the way you are!

I love it when I find any place here with less than 5 reviews. And this is more of a rave for those of you who like old Zenith radios. If won the lottery, the first thing I would do (after freeing all the caged puppies) is buy all of the restored stand-​up Zenith radios at this place. They only run a couple of grand a piece! So then I would have to open up a boutique hotel and place them all in the lobby, or the bar. The jazz bar. And pump old jazz through them.
They have other nice antiques here, and the brothers who run the place are very friendly and helpful. Fortunately, there are still a number of antique places in the area, which used to have more, and made a great antiquing destination. So you can still see some variety and do some damage to your budget on this stretch of Belmont. But check out this place and give yourself some time to browse on a cool autumn day.

Every time I am looking for a piece of furniture I go here first. These guys run a great business. It’s a family business. I like things that are made well and things that have a story. I like a bit of history when I buy something. I’ve bought quite a few items from these guys. I feel good about spending my money here. I’d rather spend it here than buy some junk that will fall apart in a few years. Antiques hold their value. Good Old Days has always had a good selection of items and they are priced very well. Do yourself a favor and give these guys a visit.

Neat family-​owned store with lots of antiques and bar room décor. It’s a three story shop with tons of new and used neon signs, old black and white Cubs/​Sox photos; pool table lights; tin signs; old radios, etc. We went looking for a neon sign for my Dad for Christmas and not only did we find the perfect one, but we were blown away by the sheer assortment of bar supplies and misc antiques. We spent nearly half an hour just looking at all the old black and white photos on the walls — it felt like a Chicago sports museum. Very highly recommended!