Chef's Catalog closing Highland Park store - 40% off sale

Since it was sold by the Markovitzes some years back, there's definitely been a drop-off at Chef's Catalog. Still, I'd occasionally pop in (Northbrook location) for a look around even though their 'sales' rarely, if ever, seemed to actually feature lower prices. But every once in a while, I managed to find something I needed at the store and I always appreciated its proximity to my house and office.

Anyway, as others probably did, I received an e-mail this morning announcing that their Northbrook store is closing and that everything in the store is 40% off, while supplies last. Last time I was in, they did have a fairly extensive amount of Le Creuset in inventory. If it's actually still available and being sold at 40% off, a visit might well be worth it.

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Chefs (nee Chef's Catalog)
151A Skokie Boulevard
Highland Park, IL
847 831-1100

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out today

mhill95149 wrote:Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out today

Can you please report back on the selection? I am very interested in a Le Creuset round oven. Thanks.

Pucca wrote:

mhill95149 wrote:Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out today

Can you please report back on the selection? I am very interested in a Le Creuset round oven. Thanks.

IIRC, there were a few round ovens left in blue and flame. Size-wise, there were 4.5-quart models and 2-quart models for sure and possibly some others but I don't think there were any larger ones. There were also some oval ovens left too, in both colors, assorted sizes. There were also more than a few knives left (Shun, Henkels and Wustoff) and many All-Clad pots and pans, from several of their lines. Lots of odds and ends were available but it was pretty evident that the clearance sale didn't exactly start today.

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I just got off the phone with a guy (after a woman hung up on me) who said that they have exactly 3 All-Clad pieces left: an 8" nonstick frypan, a 2 or 3 qt sautee and 1 other that I don't remember. All were in the MC2 finish only.

tem wrote:I just got off the phone with a guy (after a woman hung up on me) who said that they have exactly 3 All-Clad pieces left: an 8" nonstick frypan, a 2 or 3 qt sautee and 1 other that I don't remember. All were in the MC2 finish only.

It must have been a mad day there because when I was there at 11 am, there were racks full of All-Clad stuff. There were 12" chef pans, for example, from every line except the stainless . . . strange indeed.

Edit to add that I bought a 12-quart All-Clad stainless stockpot when I was there and there were several others on the shelves at the time. Oh well, they must have had a helluva rush after that e-mail went out.

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A friend and I are thinking of taking a long lunch and driving up to the store from Evanston on Friday. Before we make our final plans, I'd love to hear from anyone who goes today to check things out. If it has become slim-pickins, we may rethink our strategy should the weather continue to be crummy. We'd be interested in Le Creuset, All Clad, Wustoff - good prices on some of the higher-end things. Anyone know if they are selling some of their fixtures? I've admired some of the racks that they have in the center of the store.

Thanks.

vickyp wrote:A friend and I are thinking of taking a long lunch and driving up to the store from Evanston on Friday. Before we make our final plans, I'd love to hear from anyone who goes today to check things out. If it has become slim-pickins, we may rethink our strategy should the weather continue to be crummy. We'd be interested in Le Creuset, All Clad, Wustoff - good prices on some of the higher-end things. Anyone know if they are selling some of their fixtures? I've admired some of the racks that they have in the center of the store.

Thanks.

I did notice that the stainless tables (approx 2' x 3' tops, with one shelf) were being sold off at about $700 each. I didn't think that was a very good deal, though. Probably would be worth a call over there.

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tem wrote:I just got off the phone with a guy (after a woman hung up on me) who said that they have exactly 3 All-Clad pieces left: an 8" nonstick frypan, a 2 or 3 qt sautee and 1 other that I don't remember. All were in the MC2 finish only.

I just got back and this is just plain not true.

There must have been 3 dozen All Clad pieces of various types. They are not all stainless, nor are they all the most popular pieces, but they are definitely there.

I picked up an MC2 2qt saucepan.

There are fewer Le Creuset pieces. One 3.5 qt round oven and a couple of oval ones of the same size.

There are not many Wusthof knives left, but one each of a number of Shun and Henckels.

For people looking for some mid-range electronics, they have a number of toasters and such that are floor displays still around in good numbers.

And for what it's worth, they have a number of work bowls for Cuisinarts marked down to $10 or so. Ours is cracked so I was going to pick one up but I couldn't remember the size.

As for the steel tables, I'm not sure. But while I was there, someone asked about the shelving and the woman behind the counter said a number of people had inquired about it and they were keeping a list to call back. Can't hurt to put your name down.

gastro gnome wrote:

tem wrote:I just got off the phone with a guy (after a woman hung up on me) who said that they have exactly 3 All-Clad pieces left: an 8" nonstick frypan, a 2 or 3 qt sautee and 1 other that I don't remember. All were in the MC2 finish only.

I just got back and this is just plain not true.

There must have been 3 dozen All Clad pieces of various types. They are not all stainless, nor are they all the most popular pieces, but they are definitely there.

Don't you just hate it when you call a store and the person you talk to gives you bad information? At the risk of damaging my karma, I will say no more . . .

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Thanks so much for the update. I have all the common sizes of pots/pans/le creuset/knives, so the unusual sizes at good prices might just be up my alley. Seems like it may be worth trip to Highland Park at lunch. AND the sun is shining. My boss is already trying to figure out how to get out of his lunch meeting to come along.

To return gastro gnome's favor, I thought I'd report on what we found at Chef's at lunch today. The store is getting pretty shopped out with one guy on the floor constantly moving merchandise to the front. There is still a modest amount of All Clad, but even at 40% off, I still couldn't bring myself to buy a 6 quart stock pot for $300. There were some good deals on the smaller pots and I got an All Clad 3 1/2 quart saucier for $47. There were also a few ScanPan items, but many of the boxes did not contain the lids for the pots. There were still a few toasters and toaster ovens, attachments for kitchen aid mixers, and workbowls and some attachments for cuisine art food processors. Not many knives left and only four pieces of orange Le Creuset. A few odds and ends in the crocks and serving dishes section. All in all, I'd say the stuff is pretty well picked over. If you are in the neighborhood, you might want to stop by. But I wouldn't advise making a special trip.

When the Clark Street Chef's Catalog went out of business I got a terrific deal on paella pans, which I'm quite enjoying.

paella
paella

Enjoy,
Gary

We also got lucky when the Chef's Catalog on Clark closed -- we ended up with a KitchenAid Professional mixer for $210!

I called Chef's Catalog today and was told that today would probably be their last day. They were suppose to stay open until the end of the month, but have pretty much run out of merchandise.

Cynthia stopped by Chef's Catalog today before leaving for Ghanian dinner. They have indeed closed their doors.

Regards,