Dr. Martens, the British footwear and apparel brand long associated with its distinctive boots and global lifestyle appeal, has closed its Southport Avenue retail location at 3452 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657. Dr. Martens vacated the Southport Corridor after several years as a local destination for its signature products.
Replacing Dr. Martens in the Southport Corridor will be Reformation, the Los Angeles-based fashion retailer known for its contemporary women’s apparel that emphasizes sustainability and eco-aware production. The company, founded in 2009, has built a reputation for combining trend-driven designs with environmentally responsible materials and production methods, and has expanded from online sales into brick-and-mortar stores nationwide.
Reformation’s upcoming Southport Avenue store is confirmed through local business reports and social posts indicating that the retailer is joining the corridor’s roster of national and boutique brands. The new location will bring Reformation’s apparel, accessories, and lifestyle offerings to Lakeview’s shopping district, contributing to continued retail evolution along the avenue.
A job posting tied to the Southport opening lists several roles currently being recruited, including Sales Associates, Sales Supervisors, and Store Manager positions, with benefits noted such as health insurance, paid time off, retirement savings matching, and employee discounts. These listings describe a full-time retail launch team for the new store and reflect broader staffing efforts as Reformation expands its physical retail footprint.
The transition from Dr. Martens to Reformation underscores continued change along Southport Avenue, where evolving consumer tastes and national retail strategy shifts have led to turnover in storefront occupancy. The corridor has long balanced independent retailers with national brands, and this latest shift reflects broader trends in retail real estate, sustainability-oriented fashion, and neighborhood shopping dynamics.
Southport Corridor News and Events - Chicago, Illinois 