Well-known international shipping companies that are located in the Chicago area, that allow for pickup at their warehouse, to avoid shipping fees.

hardware stores

• ULine
  • Waukegan
• McMaster-Carr, Elmhurst

metal

• D. Wexler & Sons — hot-rolled mild steel
  (internal note: see 'business_cards.txt' for more details)
• MetalSupermarkets.com
• Otis-Oakley, they're in the secondary steel market