The O factor

Though we're sure Oprah’s uber-busy campaigning for Obama and launching her first primetime network series “The Big Give,” her people haven’t been too busy to launch her first retail store, kitty-corner from Harpo Studios in the West Loop. We stopped in yesterday to take in all of of the O-ness that is The Oprah Store.

Then we stepped up to the store and saw four glowing “O”-shaped lights on silver pedestals in front of giant O-shaped window displays, we took a deep breath and prepared ourselves for “O”-verload. We expected to be bombarded with souvenir-worthy tokens like T-shirts and baseball caps, but the shelves are also packed with pajamas, teapots, luggage, baby booties, water bottles and stationery, all emblazoned with the “O” logo. We’re not sure why you’d want to buy “O” logo dinner napkins or serving trays, but if your pooch is a die-hard fan, you can outfit him in a magenta polo with the signature emblem on the collar.

Since the big O herself was nowhere in sight, the closest you’ll get to the media mogul is the “Oprah’s Closet” section, where you’ll find clothing she may or may not have actually worn (apparently, for celebs it’s common enough to have a closet full of never-worn clothes). If you’re Oprah’s size (or sizes, a store staffer told us she's been everywhere from a size 6 to size 14 over the years), you could conceivably score some deeply discounted designer goods here; we spotted silver rosette-adorned Manolo Blahniks for $250, a Miu Miu pleated skirt for $200 and a Chanel tunic for $150, but also Banana Republic flats for $30. And not surprisingly, 100-percent of the proceeds go to her Angel Network charity.

As you’d guess, most of the foot traffic so far has come from visitors in town for Oprah show tapings at the studio across the street, but if you’re in the neighborhood, we think it’s worth stopping in to check out the bevy of goods made by South African artisans. Earthy woven baskets, colorful Zulu wire bowls and carved wood picture frames sit in an expansive modular shelving unit near the rear of the store; the centerpiece of the display is a collage in the shape of Africa, made up of postage-sized digital images of Oprah and the young girls at her leadership academy in Meyerton, South Africa.

Click here for more on the Oprah store, including pics, hours and maps.