ThirdLove is closing its retail location at 3539 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago’s Southport Corridor. The storefront is now being marketed as available retail space, with future availability beginning in mid-2026.
The space is controlled by Leap Inc., a retail platform that leases and operates storefronts on behalf of direct-to-consumer and lifestyle brands. Leap is currently marketing the Southport Avenue location for either short-term pop-ups or longer-term retail tenants.
Leap’s Presence on Southport Avenue
In addition to 3539 N. Southport Ave., Leap also controls 3530 N. Southport Ave., the former Sweaty Betty storefront located immediately south of Anthropologie. That space is also part of Leap’s national retail portfolio and has been marketed to emerging and established brands seeking high-visibility neighborhood retail corridors.
Leap operates what it refers to as The Platform, a model that combines real estate, store operations, staffing, and technology to support brands expanding into physical retail. Under this structure, Leap signs and manages leases while brands operate stores without taking on a traditional long-term real estate commitment.
Retail Context
The departure of ThirdLove reflects broader shifts in physical retail, particularly among digitally native brands that continue to reassess store footprints, lease terms, and operating costs. Southport Avenue remains a competitive retail corridor, with national brands, regional concepts, and experiential retail continuing to pursue space along the strip.
With both 3539 and 3530 N. Southport Ave. under Leap’s control, the properties are positioned for future retail turnover, including pop-ups, test locations, or permanent tenants aligned with the corridor’s demographic and foot-traffic profile.
Further announcements regarding replacement tenants have not yet been made.
Southport Corridor News and Events - Chicago, Illinois 
I feel like these retail landlords if you will are missing the mark. Southport is over saturated with high end athleisure outlets. When sweaty Betty came in it was just another one! We need diversity. A curated thrift/gift/antique shop would be a HUGE hit. A bookstore. Places to hang out instead of just capital one cafe. Too much of the same.
LikeLike
Yes I agree we need more diversity in the types of businesses on Southport but in terms of bookstores, we need to remember we have the absolutely amazing Three Avenues Bookshop which is an independent bookstore/ third space/community space located at 3009 N Southport Ave just south of Belmont. They always have so many cool community events going on, everything from author talks, to yoga, to book club, to open mic, to a summer reading challenge open to kids and adults, to occasional yummy local food popups etc.
LikeLike