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[Crazymoogle]

Okay, just went missing for a relatively large period of time to move to a new country. There's a whole epic tale of what's better, what's worse, why Douglas Adams was abso-fucking-lutely right about always carrying a towel, and how not having a car is basically like playing Frogger, but I haven't had time to translate the entire experience into words yet. The worst time I could think of to make a move, but this kind of paperwork waits for no man.

You see, I need games. And manga. Everybody's talking about God of War, the PSP, whatever the hell else came out this month, and it's all news to me.

So:

1. Recommendations for Video game stores? EB Woodfield seemed more like a raccoon nest than a store, and honestly this is the first time I've even seen a Gamestop.

2. What about a place to procure some manga? Am I supposed to rely on the half-assed supply of bonafide bookstores, or is there a comic place out there that takes this shit seriously enough to want to make some money?

3. And dammit, has my game even been seen in a store over here or what? -_-;

*Summons Bojtrek and any other GAFers who might have some general tips about the state or the Schaumburg area, or just want to say "hi".

 

[Dead]

If you feel like driving, you can try Graham Crackers comics in Naperville, havent been there since I moved but Id assume theyd have a nice selection by now.

As far as game stores, all I know are the ebs/gamestops etc..

Ill post some more if I remember em...

 

[Patrick Klepek]

Whoah! You're near me now (10 minutes out, at least).

EB Games / GameStop is about it, though. There's an import store roughly 15 minutes from you called Game Club, but I haven't visited it in ages.

 

[NLB2]

Dude, why the fuck do you need manga/games? You've got a fucking castle!

 

[Tortfeasor]

Go to Keith's Komix on Roselle and Weathersfield. He used to run the local moondogs for years until they went belly-up and opened his own store. Whatever you want, he will get for you, and do so quickly and at a good price.

 

[Dead]

There's an import store roughly 15 minutes from you called Game Club, but I haven't visited it in ages.

See, I really wish I knew this when I lived in the area

 

[Argyle]

Isn't there a game store a few miles west of Woodfield, on Golf Road?

I can't remember what it was called but I bought my copy of Goldeneye 64 and an import Saturn Marvel Super Heroes (yuck!) there...about 8 years ago? (This might be the same place exxy is talking about)...of course the place I'm thinking of might be long gone...

I probably should just shut up since I haven't lived out there in years and years

 

[NLB2]

Isn't there a game store a few miles west of Woodfield, on Golf Road?

I can't remember what it was called but I bought my copy of Goldeneye 64 and an import Saturn Marvel Super Heroes (yuck!) there...about 8 years ago? (This might be the same place exxy is talking about)...of course the place I'm thinking of might be long gone...

I probably should just shut up since I haven't lived out there in years and years

IDK, but there's a fucking Medieval Times!
I go to school with the wizard, btw !

 

[FoneBone]

You're not working at Orbital anymore?

 

[Crazymoogle]

If you feel like driving, you can try Graham Crackers comics in Naperville, havent been there since I moved but Id assume theyd have a nice selection by now.

Well, I mean *everything* is a drive, but given that I haven't heard of Naperville yet that might be a bit far. I'll have to stare at a map some more. The only comics place I've been too so far was on W. Schaumburg, but it was basically one of the old school, almost issues-only places that seems to take trades and manga as more of an oddity than anything else.

As far as game stores, all I know are the ebs/gamestops etc..

Well, I guess I was fishing for hints on what a good one might be to go to. I had a pretty awesome relationship with the EBs back where I used to live, but the two EB's I've tried here haven't really encouraged me to try hard to keep my business with them. What's the word on Gamestop vs. EB?

Dude, why the fuck do you need manga/games? You've got a fucking castle!

???

Whoah! You're near me now (10 minutes out, at least).

EB Games / GameStop is about it, though. There's an import store roughly 15 minutes from you called Game Club, but I haven't visited it in ages.

Yeah, I'm basically a fair bit NW of Woodfield. An educated guess regarding my career would probably point out where. Pretty cool place so far, although having to drive just to reach a grocery store is a pain in the butt.

Well, I don't really need imports (I was thinking translated manga, like Tokyopop and the like), but that's good to know. What kind of import shop are we talking about? Games? Books? CDs?

You're not working at Orbital anymore?

Nope. Complicated story, not sure what I want to say about it. They're still plugging away on their games as of last month.

As for me, I'm really looking forward to working with the company that hired me. Some really interesting projects in the pipeline and a real talented bunch of folks from what I can tell.

 

[NLB2]

???

Mid fucking evial Times!

 

[Brian Fellows]

Someone hasnt seen The Cable Guy........

 

[Matlock]

Could it be? Is CrazyMoogle working for...

...MIDWAY?!!

 

[kitchenmotors]

Mitsuwa market is located in Arlington Heights on Algonquin/Arlington Heights Road. It's about 5 minutes away from Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. They have a book store (which also carries import DVDs & CDs. You can order anything including magazine subscriptions), a grocery store, movie rental store, bakery, and more. Their website is www.mitsuwa.com There used to be a little japanese toy import shop in Mitswua called J1toy, but they moved to Arlignton Heights/Golf Rd...about 2 minutes from Mitsuwa. Their website is at www.j1toy.com

Of course, everything at Mitsuwa (well, almost everything) is going to be in Japanese. At J1 you will find english manga. And sadly, EB games and Gamestop is the best thing out here. A big plus of living near Woodfield is the Apple Store. XD

 

[King Jippo]

Could it be? Is CrazyMoogle working for...

...MIDWAY?!!

or High Voltage or EA

 

[madara]

In my day there was really cool place called Yaohan Plaza, think was like 100 E alogonquind rd, sounds exactly like that Mitsuwa place descriped below so it likely was renamed. It had Asashiya bookstore chain in it. I loved that place, I got ton famitsus, cds, etc from there back then. There us be Diehard Gamfan close by and arcade that use to beta alot hottest arcade titles back when was actually an arcade scene. Man I have get ride down there, its been 5 years.

 

[BojTrek]

WOW! I don't think I have ever been called out in a post before...

I might not be much help... I only work out here, I live in Chicago... I work right off the I-90 expressway at Arlington Heights Rd.

At lunch I normally drive to the Woodfield Mall and walk around the mall.

Yes, the EB games (on the 2nd. floor outside of Sears) is very small but they normally get a ton of items when launched. I went there on PSP launch day and they told me that after all the pre-orders they had 10 available if I wanted one. I guess that they had 20 extra when the store opened. I didn't buy one...

Right across from the EB games is a music store... they have music, DVD's, video games... in the back there is a MANGA section with DVD's and a few action figures... I am not sure on comics...

There is a Gamestop across from the Woodfield Mall in the Circuit City mall... it is right near the Old Navy... it is a little bigger than the EB games in Woodfield.

I normally shop at both to pick up my games... the games are always the same price and the buy-back price for games in approx. is the same for store-credit.

Sorry, I am not into MANGA... so look at the book store in that Circuit City mall area... if you are looking at Old Navy, it is at the far-right end of that mall. It is either a Barnes & Noble or some other type of book store... it is really large so they might have a section for you.

Down by Wrigley Field on Clark, north of Belmont Ave. there is a popular comic book store... http://www.chicagocomics.com it is a cool store... it is maybe 30-40 minutes from Woodfield... easy trip I-90 East to Addison Ave., turn left on Addsion Ave. and head toward Wrigley Field... once you hit Clark St. and see Wrigley Field, turn right and head maybe 6-7 blocks to 3244 N. Clark St. - The store will be on the right side...

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Mitsuwa is a great place for import comics and toys.

If you get to the city at all, I can also recommend Chicago Comics on Clark St (3300 or thereabouts). They have all kids of all sorts of comics, manga, small press, zine, indy, mainstream, Euroean, kid stuff-- you name it, they have it.

EDIT: Missed the recommendatoin above, with directions!

 

[Crazymoogle]

WOW! I don't think I have ever been called out in a post before...

:lol Nothing wrong with a minor celebrity moment Boj, but basically you were the only one showing up on schaumburg and woodfield searches. (I appreciate the info though, whether you live in the area or not).

I guess that's a lesson to the junior members out there: GAF SEARCH MAKES YOU FAMOUS. MAYBE.

At lunch I normally drive to the Woodfield Mall and walk around the mall.

Woodfield mall is definitely a bizarre place. I mean, the Lego store is definitely cool if you have the cash, but I've never heard of a mall even close to that size that doesn't have a food court. And the whole EB thing had me a bit confused because where I'm from, the biggest, highest volume (in both stock and sales) store was inside the biggest mall. Shrinking it down seemed bizarre. But the one further west on Golf wasn't so hot either so I guess I'll keep it in mind.

Right across from the EB games is a music store... they have music, DVD's, video games... in the back there is a MANGA section with DVD's and a few action figures... I am not sure on comics...

What was the place called...Sams? Anyhow, it turns out to be a big rip. The manga selection is just for show really (basically just has whatever Tokyopop wanted to show promotionally) and the anime is priced ten dollars over that of the Best Buy down the street. I'll check out the Gamestop and bookstore (you mean Borders, right?) though.

Down by Wrigley Field on Clark, north of Belmont Ave. there is a popular comic book store... http://www.chicagocomics.com it is a cool store... it is maybe 30-40 minutes from Woodfield... easy trip I-90 East to Addison Ave., turn left on Addsion Ave. and head toward Wrigley Field... once you hit Clark St. and see Wrigley Field, turn right and head maybe 6-7 blocks to 3244 N. Clark St. - The store will be on the right side...

Not sure if that one is going to be doable until I have a car that isn't a rental, but I'll keep the place in my address book. I really need to find some places closer, though, so I'll check out the places Dead/Tortfeasor mentioned first. Really surprised me to hear of comic stores still die-hard on the comics part; back in Calgary manga was basically getting big enough to take over half a store. Had to start ordering Vagabond online because every copy in the city had a habit of selling out day one.

Of course, everything at Mitsuwa (well, almost everything) is going to be in Japanese. At J1 you will find english manga. And sadly, EB games and Gamestop is the best thing out here. A big plus of living near Woodfield is the Apple Store. XD

Well, might be worth a lark if they have some authentic game/anime soundtracks or something. Are you sure J1 has english manga though? All their site lists is import toys.

 

[kitchenmotors]

Well, might be worth a lark if they have some authentic game/anime soundtracks or something. Are you sure J1 has english manga though? All their site lists is import toys.

They have a nice rack full of manga. I believe some of it is english, but I'm not 100% sure. Worth a visit in anycase.

 

[BojTrek]

Woodfield Mall is definitely a bizarre place. I mean, the Lego store is definitely cool if you have the cash, but I've never heard of a mall even close to that size that doesn't have a food court.

Yeah... it is more of speciality type of restaurants (Rainforest Cafe, Joe's Garage, etc.) They are the type of restaurants you need an hour or more to sit down at... They have a Mc. Donalds and A & W Root Beer for quick fast food...

I agree they should have had some sort of food court... but with food spots all over the place, it forces you to walk... and what do you see on the walk? STORES... something might grab your eye and you walk in... it is a mind game...

 

[Crazymoogle]

I agree they should have had some sort of food court... but with food spots all over the place, it forces you to walk... and what do you see on the walk? STORES... something might grab your eye and you walk in... it is a mind game...

I guess. But on the flipside, with restaurants being sit-in, it's actually taking people off of the mall drag. The typical food court does a good job of stirring up activity, and if it's full, keeping people moving with whatever they did buy. But I guess I'm just not a fan of the layout. Seems like a lot of space going to waste.

Have you tried the mexican place there yet? Or can you recommend any of the restaurants there or nearby? (Didn't think I'd see A&W so far south, heh)

 

[BojTrek]

The A&W is hidden in a lower area next to Lady's Foot Locker...

Actually... Shaw's Crab House right outside of the Woodfield Mall on 1900 E. Higgins Rd. is an incredible seafood/steak joint... a little pricey, but nice to take dates to.

For Mexican... Chevy's outside the mall around one of the inner mall streets is great. The wife and I have gone there a few times... not too expensive... 1180 Plaza Dr. basically across from Circuit City.

Can't beat Portillo's for fast food... west of the mall on Golf Road.

Don't forget the Chinese Massage Parlor for $50 hand jo... oh wait... just kidding!

 

[yoshifumi]

there's comics revolution in randhurst mall in mount prospect, and comics plus near northwest highway in mount prospect...i don't know if they carry any of the manga you're looking for, but it's possible, and they're within a 10 minute drive of schaumburg.

there's probably about 10 ebgames and gamestops within the area also, so you shouldn't have any trouble looking for games. there's a gamestop in randhurst, an eb outside of randhurst, a gamestop on rand, a gamestop on elmhurst, a gamestop on golf, an ebgames in woodfield...they're everywhere.

mitsuwa's probably a good place to look for import anything. and food. speaking of food, valli produce has really cheap groceries...it's on golf, in arlington heights. there's garibaldi's, which has some great, really greasy italian food...actually all sorts of food, also on golf. and down the road there's sea ranch, a japanese restaurant that looks sort of shitty, but their food is awesome and pretty cheap. there's a good korean bbq restaurant called woo lae oak on algonquin, but that's kind of expensive. portillo's is great for burgers, dogs, and stuff, on golf. there's also heffy's on elmhurst in prospect heights where you can get 35% off with a student id at lunch, but that might only be with a high school id and when school would be in session. either way, you can get a meal for like $3 then. in the same strip mall there's lou malnati's, which has some really awesome pan pizza.

 

[Brian Fellows]

Try the Ford Shopping in Cicero. Its a really nice place

 

[Crazymoogle]

there's comics revolution in randhurst mall in mount prospect, and comics plus near northwest highway in mount prospect...i don't know if they carry any of the manga you're looking for, but it's possible, and they're within a 10 minute drive of schaumburg.

Interesting! Will definitely check those out on mapquest and try to reach whatever doesn't leave me completely stranded in Illinois.

there's probably about 10 ebgames and gamestops within the area also, so you shouldn't have any trouble looking for games. there's a gamestop in randhurst, an eb outside of randhurst, a gamestop on rand, a gamestop on elmhurst, a gamestop on golf, an ebgames in woodfield...they're everywhere.

Cruising down golf and Barrington gave me that impression (well, I had no idea there were *that* many, but I sort of figured something was up once I saw an EB side-by-side with a 7-11), which is why I was asking for preference. The phone book gives me locations on the big chains, but thats it.

there's garibaldi's, which has some great, really greasy italian food...actually all sorts of food, also on golf.

There's a closer one right across the street from me basically. I wouldn't call it great by a longshot, but it's greasy all right. Typical mall-style pizza. Ordering there is always this really difficult (and sadly amusing) struggle for language comprehension.

Incidentally, I thought the Calgary paper was shitting me when they talked about how Ginger Beef there was called "Calgary Style" because it's hard to find anywhere else, but lo and behold I can't find a single menu with Ginger Beef in it so far. Madness. Of course so far this place has 1% of the szechuan style chinese restaurants per capita, too.

IBC rootbeer in the bottle almost makes up for it though.

I definitely need to check out this portillo's. Burger King has definitely made a good impression me here as opposed to Canada, but its still basically the homogenized fast-food I've come to expect.

in the same strip mall there's lou malnati's, which has some really awesome pan pizza.

Coworker took me there already. We ate some crazy super deep-dish type with the tomatoes and sauce on the top? Not my favorite by any stretch but I admire the variety. Where I moved from there is a Domino's, Panago, and three other chains in every neighborhood, but it's all basically the same sort of thing.

The A&W is hidden in a lower area next to Lady's Foot Locker...

Was wondering where it was hiding. Is this like a one-in-the-state sort of thing or are they somewhat more common? (Obviously they're everywhere where I'm from).

And what's the deal with that mall beside Woodfield? (same side, farther west a bit)

Try the Ford Shopping in Cicero. Its a really nice place

Cicero? Uh...care to point what direction that might be in?

 

[Brian Fellows]

It'd be about 25 miles southeast of Schaumburg I think. I guess in city miles that pretty far though. Though I dont think you'd really wanna go there anyway unless you're as big a fan of bourbon chicken as I am.

 

[BojTrek]

And what's the deal with that mall beside Woodfield? (same side, farther west a bit)

The one with Galyan's Sporting Goods? I only go to that one for Shaw's Crab House or Galyan's... there is a Gameworks in that mall and a movie theater... it is not of Woodfield Mall... that one? It has a tons of small specialty shops...

 

[King Jippo]

Portillo's is the greatest place in the area in terms of fast food & "native" cuisine. Its a chain unique to the area, though I think there is one opening in LA next fall as a sort of experiement. j1toy, or whatever they're called, had a decent enough selection of english language manga. I was also suprised at the very large manga (ahem, "graphic novel") section at the Borders Books on Golf. I dont read manga, so I dont know anyplace else as far as specialty stores go.

Outside the chain stores of EB & Gamestop & the big electronic stores I dont think there are any unique game stores anymore. There were a few import stores in that area back in the day, but I think the internet killed them with more selection and better prices (that parts for sure).

 

[BigGreenMat]

Wow had no clue there were so many Chicagoans/burbies on GA. Boj pointed out a good one in the case of ChicagoComics. Nice store. God am I glad I am out of the burbs cause of all the damn driving you have to do to get ANYWHERE. Living on the northside is quite nice.

 

[darlyn]

You can add one person to your list of Chicago people. I live on the south side though, and there really isn't too much worth mentioning down here that I know of. I'm hoping to move up noth soon soon soon though!

 

[Whimsical Phil]

Isn't there a game store a few miles west of Woodfield, on Golf Road?

I can't remember what it was called but I bought my copy of Goldeneye 64 and an import Saturn Marvel Super Heroes (yuck!) there...about 8 years ago? (This might be the same place exxy is talking about)...of course the place I'm thinking of might be long gone...

I probably should just shut up since I haven't lived out there in years and years

It was called Cyberzone, and it's been closed for a few years now. I actually shopped there quite a bit back in the day before I realized that you could get import games for much cheaper on this "internet" thing.

Apparently, the owner of Cyberzone (I wanna say Scott) decided to rip-off his customers and skip town. If I remember correctly, it was around the time when the GBA was coming out in Japan. He had a bunch of preorders for it and eventually decided telling his customers that they needed to pay off the system in full in order to get it. Of course, since he jacked up the prices of import stuff, he was charging about twice what the system was worth.

After he had gotten all his money for the systems and whatever games people wanted, he boarded up the shop and disappeared. No one's heard from him since.

This story, of course, is total "friend of a friend" stuff, you understand. Back when I lived in Schaumburg, I had a couple of friends who worked at one of the local FuncoLands. They heard the tale from several customers who frequented both stores.

Pretty low, if you ask me. And that bastard charged me eighty damn dollars for Rockman Battle & Chase.

 

[Whimsical Phil]

There's also a great, little comic shop in Schaumburg called Dreamland Comics.

They don't have a huge manga selection (at least they didn't a couple years ago when I was last there), but the two owners (a husband and wife) are the nicest people I've ever met at a comic shop. They were always extremely cool about ordering anything I needed out of Previews. There was a few years where I got all of my comics (manga and otherwise) through them.

 

[Crazymoogle]

There's also a great, little comic shop in Schaumburg called Dreamland Comics.

They don't have a huge manga selection (at least they didn't a couple years ago when I was last there), but the two owners (a husband and wife) are the nicest people I've ever met at a comic shop. They were always extremely cool about ordering anything I needed out of Previews. There was a few years where I got all of my comics (manga and otherwise) through them.

Actually Phil, that's one of the places I've been too already. Thanks for clearing up the ownership situation; it seemed like a clean place but just really had next to nothing in inventory. Their manga selection was basically the usual case of whatever the publisher wants to push, and even regular comic trades were pretty slim. The whole place gave me the impression that comics weren't so much of a focus, so I just left before finding something worth buying. Maybe I'll give them a second chance in the future.

 

[Whimsical Phil]

Actually Phil, that's one of the places I've been too already. Thanks for clearing up the ownership situation; it seemed like a clean place but just really had next to nothing in inventory. Their manga selection was basically the usual case of whatever the publisher wants to push, and even regular comic trades were pretty slim. The whole place gave me the impression that comics weren't so much of a focus, so I just left before finding something worth buying. Maybe I'll give them a second chance in the future.

Well, like I said, it has been a couple years since I've been in there (I'm out in San Francisco now), so their focus may have definitely changed. They were just always super cool about ordering tons o' obscure crap from Previews for me and holding it so that I could just pick up one stash of comics a month.

And it's been mentioned already, but there are multiple Graham Crackers in the Chicagoland area, and they all rule.

 

[Tortfeasor]

Dreamland went through some ownership changes, and now it sucks. Outside of Chicago comics, Keith's Komix is the best place to go in Chicagoland.

As far as Cyberzone goes, there was plenty of notice he was closing up shop. He didn;t rip anyone off or anything, and as far as I know still lives in Chicago. He was a really cool guy with a great idea, but just got edged out of the market due to internet sales ramping up. I had the impression that he was up to his ears in debt when closing, and had taken a job outside of retail to help him try to keep his house, etc...

 

[kitchenmotors]

It was called Cyberzone, and it's been closed for a few years now. I actually shopped there quite a bit back in the day before I realized that you could get import games for much cheaper on this "internet" thing.

Apparently, the owner of Cyberzone (I wanna say Scott) decided to rip-off his customers and skip town. If I remember correctly, it was around the time when the GBA was coming out in Japan. He had a bunch of preorders for it and eventually decided telling his customers that they needed to pay off the system in full in order to get it. Of course, since he jacked up the prices of import stuff, he was charging about twice what the system was worth.

After he had gotten all his money for the systems and whatever games people wanted, he boarded up the shop and disappeared. No one's heard from him since.

This story, of course, is total "friend of a friend" stuff, you understand. Back when I lived in Schaumburg, I had a couple of friends who worked at one of the local FuncoLands. They heard the tale from several customers who frequented both stores.

Pretty low, if you ask me. And that bastard charged me eighty damn dollars for Rockman Battle & Chase.

:lol

If there's anything worse than old yentas it's video game geeks with nothing to do but tell tall tales.

 

[Whimsical Phil]

As far as Cyberzone goes, there was plenty of notice he was closing up shop. He didn;t rip anyone off or anything, and as far as I know still lives in Chicago. He was a really cool guy with a great idea, but just got edged out of the market due to internet sales ramping up. I had the impression that he was up to his ears in debt when closing, and had taken a job outside of retail to help him try to keep his house, etc...

That's interesting about Cyberzone. Like I said, I was hearing the "rip-off" story third-hand, so it may not have been entirely accurate.

I still stand by my complaint about him jacking up prices, though. Eighty bucks for Battle & Chase! And don't get me started on what he charged me for Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Pazurudama...

He would also start doing this creepy leer thing whenever I'd go into the place with a girl. Weird.

 

[Whimsical Phil]

:lol

If there's anything worse than old yentas it's video game geeks with nothing to do but tell tall tales.

Back in my day, we didn't have your fancy inter-webs to get our im-port games from! We had to drive out to im-portation shops, and pay four times the yen to dollar rate for our Chinese Player-Station games.

 

[Tortfeasor]

I still stand by my complaint about him jacking up prices, though. Eighty bucks for Battle & Chase! And don't get me started on what he charged me for Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Pazurudama...

He would also start doing this creepy leer thing whenever I'd go into the place with a girl. Weird.

He absolutly jacked up prices... That is how he paid his rent and bought groceries.

He typically had the software before anyone else. He had some contacts in japan who would buy up the games at retail and send him the titles overnight. He used to buy his US titles from a few local distributors (one of which was me), and he sold those at normal retail. As far as import pricing goes though, he was pretty much in line with what NCS was charging at the time. Because of his contacts, there was no better place to buy an import system at launch than from his store.

And yes... He did have a creepy leer when hot girls came in... Particularly asian ones. Wanna talk about creepy though? He had a cast of regulars who would hang out who were the scariest bunch of losers I had ever seen. They would belly up to the counter, read his japanese import mags, and chat up games all day. You had to wade through them to get to the counter to buy something and when you did, they would comment on your purchase. This type of behavior is not just resident to his store though... The other day I was in the EB on Roselle and asked about Scrapland when a guy hanging around the counter talking to the employee asked me if I meant "Crapland". I wanted to slap him!

 

[Saurus]

Dreamland went through some ownership changes, and now it sucks. Outside of Chicago comics, Keith's Komix is the best place to go in Chicagoland.

Keith's Komix is definately the best place in the area.

 

[krypt0nian]

Mitsuwa market is located in Arlington Heights on Algonquin/Arlington Heights Road. It's about 5 minutes away from Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. They have a book store (which also carries import DVDs & CDs. You can order anything including magazine subscriptions), a grocery store, movie rental store, bakery, and more. Their website is www.mitsuwa.com There used to be a little japanese toy import shop in Mitswua called J1toy, but they moved to Arlignton Heights/Golf Rd...about 2 minutes from Mitsuwa. Their website is at www.j1toy.com

Of course, everything at Mitsuwa (well, almost everything) is going to be in Japanese. At J1 you will find english manga. And sadly, EB games and Gamestop is the best thing out here. A big plus of living near Woodfield is the Apple Store. XD

Thanks for the new toy store location. I hit Mitsuwa last week and was CRUSHED to see that they were gone. 2min is worth toy heaven though!