Bucky Adams couldn't find a casual, fun store in Andersonville, where he lives, that offered affordable clothes and gift items—so he opened one himself.
Adams, 52, is the founder and owner of Bucky Gear, 5644 N. Clark, which offers men's and women's clothing, accessories, and, as he points out, "other cool stuff."
Bucky Gear certainly takes after its owner, who admits he is, "a t-shirt and jeans guy." The store has Big Star and Miracle jeans, PalmerCash t-shirts, Hidden Truth shirts, Kiss the Girl and Next Level hoodies and sweat shirts, and more. Bucky Gear also offers bags from Manhattan Portage and Pan Am. And even Noon Copenhagen watches.
Bucky Gear also offers hats, scarves, belts, jewelry "and lots of really fun and crazy gift items," he said.
"We turned a blank space into a loft/warehouse-looking place," Adams said. "We have exposed brick, warehouse windows, a Tike bar, old fans and school lockers. It's in a one block square building previously shared by the gangster Bugsy Malone.
"My favorite part of 'the Gear' is talking to people and hanging out with them. We seriously like music and a little dancing on occasion. Also, as a gay man, having hot guys try on clothes in my store is never a bad thing.
"The downside is working 7 days-a-week. I really miss Sundays with the great music at church, the newspaper, hangovers and football.
Bucky Gear opened Oct. 10, as Adams wanted the date (10-10-10) to always be a memorable one.
"My goals include continuing the search for cool merchandise. It's new and challenging for me, a work in progress," Adams said. "I know for sure, you always have to take care of your employees and they will take care of you. Also, we have to have fun.
"My last goal is to find ways to support the neighborhoods and organizations that make Chicago so special. I learned from my parents and my church, The Bodhi Center, to accept everyone, show respect and help where you can. Education Is Prevention (EIP) is our start. [EIP] is a new HIV/AIDS and sexually-transmitted infections' non-profit [organization] with an all-volunteer staff, a few pamphlets and very, very little money. They go directly to schools to talk to kids about how to protect themselves. I'm so proud to be a small help to their awesome goals and accomplishments.
"Bucky Gear is my dream. I encourage everyone to find their [goal] and go for it. On 10-10-10 I wrote, 'If you imagine, believe and work hard, miracles happen; dreams really do come true."
Adams has lived in Chicago for 16 years and is single, except for his 4-year-old rescue dog, Cody.
"He is a handful but I can't live without him," said Adams, who has spent 17 years as a Southwest Airlines flight attendant.
"The journey to getting open was long and challenging. The biggest problem was start-up funds. I had some retirement [money], but not quite enough to open. I met Sen. Dick Durbin on a flight and he suggested going to the Small Business Association (SBA). So, I took the SBA Score classes and found interest from Harris Bank. They have Canadian roots and were looking for small business investments.
"The other problem was a lease. Andersonville is very popular and the prices were tough. Fortunately, I discovered an up-and-coming area of North Andersonville. I found a reasonable rent and great businesses [nearby].
"10-10-10 was the biggest night of my life. It was an amazing sense of accomplishment and serious fun. We had a DJ [from] San Francisco, food and drinks, and lots of family and friends. It was also a chance to actually sell something."
