Merz Apothecary
Categories: Cosmetics & Beauty Supply, Drugstores, Health Markets [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood4716 N Lincoln Ave
(between Giddings St & Leland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 989-0900
- Nearest Transit:
Western (Brown)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- By Appointment Only: No
15 reviews
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
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70 Reviews for Merz Apothecary
Sweet lord, I think I died and went to aromatherapy heaven! The air is heavily scented in here, all the better to wander around in a cloudlike daze, buying beauty products by the truckful. The range of their inventory is mindblowing (from all over the world, and in every price range), and the service staff is knowledgeable and helpful to boot. This is the store where you buy the things you have to have, but never knew you needed. The fact that the atmosphere seems stuck in a time warp only adds to the charm.
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I love going to this place! Whatever you need (or don't need for that matter) They have it. The staff seems pretty knowledgeable, But I do agree it is hard to look around. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is the prices and the missing knowledge of the staff.
I went in there with sinus problems and they recommended I buy a neti pot (Which was a great idea, really helps) but they told my I only needed to buy these drops to put in the pot. Well, Once I purchased it and took the price tag off I saw you need the salt to (I asked them if I needed the salt and they said no) I guess if you are familiar with neti pots, the salt is a big part if it. The instructions say not to use it without it or you feel like you are drowning in a pool. Well, Because they close at 6 and I don't get outta class till 5:15, with traffic I could never make it back to buy the salt. I decided to go on there web site smallflower.com to purchase it and saw that they have a neti pot starter kit that comes with everything (The pot, salt, and drops) and it cost 35 dollars. I spent 35 dollars on the neti pot and drops. Why didn't she recommend that to me for the same price? So, after that long story, I do love the place, will go there again, but look at all your options before I buy.
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I only leave off a star because for the first 6 years I lived here I swear they hired someone just to follow me around the store. It was annoying, disconcerting and made me feel like a criminal. Hey, you know me, right? Do I look like a criminal? No, I'm here to spend money on $20 soaps yo!
Anyhow, the last 4 years they've sort of left me alone, or realized that I'm there to purchase things. (duh!) I've managed to get my husband hooked on R&G's fresh fig soap, and then they discontinued it. Thanks Roger & Gallet, it was my one way to get my husband to go in there with me! jerks. I fluctuate in what I get, but it is usually something from the Provence collection, though I'll never get that pineapple one again. ugh.
I digress though, I was really trying to be helpful with this review.
I got my neti-pot and salts here. Which I use faithfully because I have dreadful allergies. I've gone on to order one for several friends and family members through the website (smallflower.com) and have them shipped. Everyone loves it. I use an immune wash with it too. They have a homeopathic sinus pill thing that I take when I feel crappy too. My cats even get in on the action, because they are crazy, neurotic and pukey. So, I get this wonderful homeopathic "cat anxiety" liquid drops formula that I put on their food. And voila! No more puking. It is lovely.
So, in conclusion, shop here, bring money and don't be offended if they follow you around for 6 years, I think it's their way of hazing you.
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As a self-professed HBA nut, this store should've been my mecca. Unfortunately, as much as i've tried to love this store, I simply can't give it more than an average rating.
Aside from the high prices, the store is relatively small, and there is so much crammed into every inch of space that it's a bit overwhelming. Also, i've never been in here without there being a long line to check out. Great for sales I guess but not great when the line is impeding the view of about 6 feet of merchandise. All in all, it's fun to look at and maybe make an occasional purchase, but i'll stick with Lush for now.
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I think if I were only allowed to shop at one store for the rest of my life, this would be it. (Well, except for clothing, which you can't buy here.)
I'm in love with their massive selection of holistic, Ayurvedic, European, and vintage bath & body goods. It's a sensory overload... not just for the eyes, but the nose too!
One of my friends told me about the benefits of using a Neti Pot (if you don't know what that is, Google it! It's awesome!) so the first place I headed in search of one was Merz. Lo and behold... the super-nice staff hooked me up not only with the Neti Pot, but the saline mixture as well.
Plus (yay!) they carry my grandpa's signature cologne - 4711 - so I'll never be at a loss for a birthday, Xmas, or Fathers Day gift for him ever again!
An interesting little store that sells a large selection of different soaps, lotions, candles and much more.
My boyfriend was actually the one that wanted to go into the store ... he was interested in getting some shaving lotion from Italy that is really difficult to find - after an extensive web search he found it at Merz Apothecary ... just 2 blocks away! They also carry a series of shaving lotions that he used to find at Target but they stopped carrying them in store.
The store is PACKED - almost cluttered with different items. I recognize a few bath items from shops in Europe and they have a small selection of Votivo candles. There was so much stuff it was a bit overwhelming.
Prices are okay, you can find some things on websites for $10+ less but they have more overhead so of course they have to mark things up and I don't mind paying it to support such a quaint little store.
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One day they'll come along with a big bottle of spray starch, coat this place from top to bottom, and send it off to the Smithsonian. It's like an olde tyme drugstore inside a cuckoo clock.
Honestly, I find it a little bit overwhelming, so I only come here if I need to kill time before or after doing something else in Lincoln Square. There's about three stores worth of stuff crammed in here, which is either a blessing or a curse, depending on your shopping stamina. Mine is pretty low, so I can only take about 10 minutes of this place.
I did make a special trip here once, and asked a salesperson to recommend a line for sensitive skin. She pointed me toward some Annemarie Borlind products, which were expensive, smelled like goat urine, and burned my cheeks. I can't remember if I tried to return them.
It's a cool place if you're a shop-til-you-drop type, but it can also be overwhelming and a little bit suffocating. I prefer the personal care section at Whole Foods, to be honest.
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For 17 years I am a client at Merz Apothecary - a place where one could find great European products but more important to me, an excellent service! Last week I was so impressed by the professional knowledge, attention to details and advise in regards to a serious immune and skin illness, that I decided it's about time to say Thank you to the entire Merz team with this short review. My Thanks, my MAHALO goes personally to Michael who explained to me in a simple, very clear way the cause and triggers of my son's illness and the necessity of cleansing his liver as a first step of the healing process. For so many years, going from one traditional doctor to another, taking tons of antibiotics and other chemical based medications, this was the first time to hear a different approach where everything made sense. Thanks again, Mike for the trust and hope you gave us back! Warmest Thanks also to Toni, another great Merz employee, who highly recommended you to me!
Best wishes and Aloha from Hawaii,
Katia
I have never stepped foot in Merz Apothecary. This review is for smallflower.com Merz's online store.
My new obsession with Labello lip balm led me here, to smallflower.com. This site carries a variety of good quality skincare, fragrances, soaps etc. Since Labello, the best lip balm ever, is not sold in the United States, I had to search the good old internet. Most of the sites I landed on were outside of the US and then I found smallflower. A well designed site and a lot to look through. I am pleased with my order, I just wish I would have bought more lip balms while I was in Mexico where they were four dollars rather than 7.95. I will be waiting patiently for the mail for their arrival.
According to other reviewers Merz is a great store, I am glad that they put the same attention into making a user friendly website with a vast selection. If you haven't tried Labello lip balm you should.
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I've only been here a limited number of times because, like many reviewers before me have said, it' s really easy to blow your grocery money at this place. if you like smelling nice, but not like you've spent 18 hours getting sprayed down by a Macy's associate, this is a wonderland...I sware unicorns and trolls are working there with human costumes to hide the truth. they carry my favorite brands of french soap and perfume oils and endless rows, stacks, and piles of others i haven't even journeyed into. Lot's of natural health and beauty products and items that normally don't show face in the states. the space deserves 5 stars on it's own as it's original and charmed with age and has preserved it's apothecary aesthetic...right down the the bottle of bitters i spotted a wrinkled up old swede couple buying and the tincture bottles filled with home-made tonics lining the back wall.
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I have SADLY moved from Chicago. But every couple of months I return and make a visit to Merz. You can get lost in all of the soaps and mysteries Merz has to offer. You can even buy loose teas (They're in the back right-hand of the store behind the counter) that are wonderful. This place is one of my favorite stores I've ever been to.
It's a very nice place to shop, not too cheap but they offer a lot of herbs (all the way to mugwart) and the free smells are great :D.
Great place for getting presents, or for looking for personal remedies. There's quite a bit of medicines that people don't know about and work just as well as rx drugs for things like stress, immune system, all the way to self meditation and spiritual experience herbs and such.
cool, cool place
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I nearly weeweed my pants with joy the first time I came here. It's like a perfectly preserved 1920's Swiss Drug Store, but updated...Tons of fancy soaps, candies, teas, bubble bath, loofahs, homeopathic remedies. Nostalgic and cozy and fun.
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I have been going to Mertz Apotheke for decades. Aside from a German lineage, I went to a language magnet school (LaSalle in Old Town) for grammar school and we went there on field trips. The destination was actually the offices of Amerika Woche, but I remember going to Mertz and Meyer's. But those trips down memory lane only appeal to me, so on to the review.
Mertz carries some of my favorite soaps (such as Roger & Gallet) that are not so easy to find. They also carry the German Nivea products which I was raised on and really like. There are wonderful, moderately priced perfumes. It really is a treat for the senses.
Additionally, there are homeopathic remedies (which I personally despise), some great healing teas (some of which I love) and other natural remedies. Over the years, I have relied on the pharmacists/apothecaries for numerous recommendations. Every time I have surgery (which, thanks to my pale northern European ancestry and predisposition to precancerous moles, is often), I head there for an ointment that is the best thing I have encountered to reduce scarring.
There is one thing that prevents me from awarding the maximum number of stars here - the fact that they are not open on Sunday. I am busy and moved out of the neighborhood a few years ago so it's tough to only have one day each week to get there.
The satellite location in Macy's is nice - I purchase all of my candles there - but does not compare in scope or feel to the original storefront in Lincoln Square.
Cool place to browse and they have a large selection of Demeter fragrances, the most I've seen in any retail store. They didn't have the one I wanted and they offered to order it for me. It came about two days later and there was no extra charge. (Ordering from Demeter directly was always a huge hassle for me).
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Wow! If I were European and homesick, this is where I would shop. I get a kick out of the sensory experience of smelling the products and looking at the gorgeous packaging.
Yes, it will cost more than the CVS/Osco/Walgreens. Yes, it will be good quality and worth it! I've found stuff here that even my organic-loving brother hasn't seen before. People rave about the gifts I've bought here. I'm trying to keep it a secret from my suburban friends and family so they won't buy the items for themselves.
Most of the staff speaks German, I believe, and share what they know about their interesting products.
It smells like grandma's house in here.
But they have things I never knew existed. I swear, witches (whatever, ok, "Wiccans") probably shop here for their various mystical throat lozenges or whatnot.
Great selection.
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I really like this store. There are so many good things to say about this establishment, that I don't know how much space I can take.
To recap: I had a really powerful poison ivy rash and was having a hard time even opening my eyes. I was prescribed steroids and rest from my doc. I went here in the midst of pulling all of my hair out when I talked to the pharmacist. He was so nice and told me that steroids were bad for me, he even knew the dosage was way too high for me. He gave me a cream and natural breathing treatment and within about 20 hours it was 90% clear and keep in mind the poison ivy was severe!
On a positive note, they have vintage and natural toiletries, hair dye, fragrances, children's skin care, candles, etc.
I picked up a unique all-natural lip balm from Spain that smelled and stained my lips like cherries. LOL.
I will be back.
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I still have my package of Smooth Moves here in the kitchen.
I'm still unsure if I want to take it.
Trixie....You and your friends at Merz convinced me to buy this body de-tox. At the time, it sounded like a good idea. But when I sat in the hotel room in Chicago..... I just stared at it. I still stare at it. Never tasted it nor touched it yet. I'm still contemplating.
I'll keep you posted.
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(drool) Ahh. What can I not say about this place? It leaves me in a catatonic state. All I need is some Prozac & an iced coffee. Instead of going to salon after salon, I can use my time wisely and buy baby perfume, grass scented dryer sheets, Phyto products and mint hand lotion (to wake me up) all in one convenient place. The rich person's beauty product equivalent to Whole Foods. Get buzzed and enter the store.
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A Chicago staple that is a fun place to shop in, but an expensive place to buy in. I have lived in Lincoln Square for 10 years and their stock has hardly changed (which is good and bad, I guess). Stuff never goes on sale here, and if you want it cheaper, I would buy on-line or somewhere else. Shopping can be fun, though as the smells are wonderful from all of the soaps and lotions, etc. There are also teas, homeopathic medicines and toiletries that are not easily found outside of Europe. I do avoid it around Christmas because it can get pretty packed and I am always afraid of bashing into something or someone. There is always someone following you around too; making sure you are not shop-lifting. Not for the claustrophobic or paranoid.
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I must go in with blinders and a very short list, otherwise I spend way too much time and a whole helluvalot of dough.
Great finds and always great service.
I'm glad it's not far away, only wish parking was easier in the ever growing LSquare!
Some day I'll get the shave brush...some day.
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Geez. I'm a very thrifty person. Rarley do I buy stuff I don't need. And then...
there is Merz.
Look, you just need to go and see the place for yourself. Go the day after you get paid, and just be glad you don't live across the street from it like I do.
*it also happens to be the one place my boyfriend will go to with me if i do any type of shopping besides grocery. Lots of fun mens stuff.
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An amazing selection of products for any junkie out there who needs a fix. You know who you are!
This is a place you can spend hours and hours in,as well as lots of $$$$. This was our local pharmacy when I was a kid. It used to be on Lincoln Ave., just past Southport and they had everything under the sun as well as medications and toiletries. They don't carry standard pharmaceuticals any more,but you name it,they have it as far as alternative and holistic therapies go.Love all the European aromatherapy lines and Bach Flower therapy.
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If you have a weakness for imported soaps, lotions, bath salts, etc., then DO NOT walk in here! Every time I walk in here, I end up spending 20 minutes more than I expected sniffing at various milled soaps and exclaiming over the multitude of eye-catching, pretty items. I am an ardent fan of Dr. Hauschka's skincare line (if I could write a review about it here, I would), and Merz carries a huge selection of Dr. H. Nothing's cheap in here, but for a beauty product junkie like myself (I especially love all the German Nivea products), price tags are usually not effective deterrents. At least all the products are high quality and worthy of mark-up.
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This place has an amazing smell as soon as you walk through the door. Great place for buying unique gifts. Has strange hours though, call before you go to make sure they're open.
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The only place in the States that I know of to buy Labello chapsticks. What a haven for me, the self-proclaimed toiletry connoisseur. Dr. Hauschka brand, soaps, chapsticks, obscure "candies" .. remember those little pastilles your grandma put in your mouth to make you shut up? Violets? Yep, they have those, too. And Fisherman's Friend throat lozenges. Lots of organic brands.
Fastest way to go broke, but you'll file for bankruptcy lookin' pretty.
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My friends have been recommending this place to me for years. Although I am in the area very often, for some reason, I could never find the time to make it in the door. I finally did last week and I was pleasantly surprised. The selection is tremendous. I purchased some bath salts for a friend and she loved them. Wonderful aroma. I will definitely be back.
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I schlepped all the way up north during a crazy rainstorm to come to Merz. And it was worth it, they had a million and one beauty products, helpful and friendly staff. Cute. Apparently there is also a location on the Macy's on State...
Want to buy something unique for your favorite toiletry whore? Or, are you the bath products junkie? I could spend an easy hour in this place, then while I am there I find myself listening and trying lotions and potions that other people are raving about.
Also, the pharmacist is very knowledgeable about homeopathic supplements and when and how to take them.
They have so many things at this store but even the things they don't have they will order.
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Lov this place! Great products! Great Staff! You have to stop by here for lotions and facial products!
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This place is ancient, and so very awesome. They offer everything for you. Mostly I buy these great washcloths that are so soft, and a few very amazing lotions (especially in the winter to keep my skin soft). It's just fun to browse around. There is so much to look at! I love the fact that they have many odd items from Europe too. The staff always know what they're talking about, which amazes me, because there are 1000's of things in there to remember.
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I walked in to Merz for the first time the other day and oh my lord. Can you spell "sensory overload!?" I have never seen so much-- stuff, for lack of a better word. Immediately, and every five seconds thereafter, I was asked if I was finding everything I needed. I must say, it is refreshing to know an establishment still exists where people are there to help YOU, and not just mill around restocking shelves.
The pharmacist, Mike, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. He directed me straight to the answer for my ailments even though I didn't quite exactly know what I was looking/asking for. I don't like taking traditional medicine when I don't have to, and he seemed to completely understand.
I love that they carry everything from German Medicinal teas to Tom's of Maine.
This is a one stop shop, Chicago.
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Merz Apothecary is so good for your mind and body. If you can't make it there to enjoy the place in person, the website is nice also.
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I could spend hours browsing in Merz. They have something for everyone (even men) and it's a great place to shop for gifts. I highly recommend checking out their selection of Archipelago products- their Rice Milk Lotion/Creme is to die for. Wonderful for that dry, winter, wind-burned skin I get in Chicago in January. They also have a selection of herbal supplements, teas, lip balms, hand-made soaps, candles. Also, the guy behind the counter knew so much about homeopathic remedies- it was refreshing.
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Wow! I checked this place out after reading the reviews here and I was not disappointed! I think I could have walked out of there with about 20 different bars of soap. There is so much nice stuff in here! Next time I'm going to have to find out what the deal is with all those jars full of strange liquids behind the counter.
Ear candling: never had it? Or you just can't freaking HEAR ME? It sounds gross, but you need it, Because every mildew, mold and pollen-filled spring Chicago becomes a level of hell Dante neglected to mention, too horrific for his editors to leave in (NOT the mucus again... Noooo!!!!). My ears and nose are clogged, stuffy, drippy, my head hurts, the skin starts to peel, my voice hoarse, my throat is scratchy, itchy, I'm cranky and my boyf(r)iend hides because in the near-five years we've been together he rates allergy season considerably worse than PMS.
Sounds gross, but if you have lots of allergies, sinus build-up, etc, these guys also carry D-Hist: which rocks my world by taking away my allergies and not having any side-effects whatsoever- none people! Pay attention! D-Hist is the best allergy product ever! Better than Claritin and doesn't require a prescription or any big-brother-sudafed- sign-ups. They have nose pourers too, to rinse the stuffy, day-glo mucus and... yeah, you get the idea. You'll like how you feel AFTER.
Just so you know, I understand everyone in the Midwest has allergies, but this is my GROSSEST post ever. I hope someone out there reads this post, and realizes that my two decades of experience may grant you the peace I've discovered from Mertz. I'l log off now.
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Oooh, I love this place! I could spend hours just checking out and sniffing the huge variety of soaps, lotions, candles, etc. I bought some bath products (each one from a different country) as a birthday gift for a friend last month and she couldn't believe all that great stuff came from Merz. My seasonal allergies had been driving me nuts, so while I was there I asked the guy behind the counter if they had anything that might help. He recommended these herbal pollen allergy relief tablets from Switzerland, and they really made a difference. I've since been back to get a second bottle (along with a yummy smelling bar of Brazil nut soap)!
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There are so many interesting products in this store, it could take days to go through everything. The space is small and cozy, but I think that gives it a more "authentic" feel.
The staff is friendly, two employees greeted me right when I walked in and then left me alone the rest of the time.
The only downside is that some products are pricey (I understand why), which makes finding products you like an expensive adventure. It really sucks when you buy a $10 bar of soap and it irritates your skin.
You really should check this out - there is something for everyone here.
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