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I'm currently looking for a place to pick up quality components in the city. Just the basics, Resistors and the like, maybe even some op-amps. RS is best avoided
Much better to bike off in a gust of creativity then to mail order.
any suggestions?

This is the amazing part about having anything to do with electronics here. Chicago and it's suburbs, a place where roughly 8 million people live, only has about 3 or 4 independent electronics stores. It is all catalog with me unless there is an emergency that can be band aided by Radio Shack parts. Here are two I've been to. See if you can tell what I think of them with the emoticons.
-Tri-State Electronics has a good supply of basic components in their show room.
Tri-State Electronic Corp.
200 West Northwest Hwy.
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
http://www.tselectronic.com/
-North Central Electric Supply
call ahead to see if they got what you want.
3412 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
773.588.6012
(for tubes) Triode Electric .
Here is there website. I haven't been to their new place, but they usually have a good stock.
http://store.yahoo.com/triodeel/index.html
Zach Electronics (was Joseph) didn't seem to have much, and weren't too helpful last time I went there (4 years ago).
There are undoubtedly more hidden out there, so if any of you know of another please speak up.

I'll second Tri-State on NW Highway.

And, if you happen to be on NW Highway, maybe check out American Science and Surplus. They won't have anything you actually need, but it's good for imagination and curiosities.

-Rook

thanks for the reply's
I will have to check those out...

Sadly, American Science and Surplus is the only thing anyone had been able to point me in the direction of till now.. and as you could guess, I was very disapointed. Interesting place... but, not what I had in mind
thanks again
-Rob

I grew up a couple of blocks from NW Electrical so we have a long history.

Now trust me, if your ever in the need to do business with them heed my advice. Do not look directly at or engage in any kind of conversation with any of their employees. Stock questions are okay, but just leave it at that.
Trust me.
dB-