I love this shop. It is the best gift boutique shop in Carbondale, IL! When I'm looking for gifts…read morefor others (or myself), this store is my first stop. While the store itself is a modest (smallish) size, the owner has packed it full of goodies galore - literally from floor to ceiling. And speaking of the owner, more often than not she is there to help you find that perfect item, ring you up at the cash register, and is the first to greet you by name when you walk in the door! The shop itself has an eclectic mix of items: -Yankee candles -boutique baby gifts -one of a kind, exquisite holiday decorations (including Christmas Village collectibles) -gourmet food items like teas, hot chocolate, crackers, cookies, etc -garden flags -women's accessories such as scarves -women's jewelry -unique linens like crisp cotton table runners and table cloths -kitchen decoration / accessories like picnic baskets, decorative olive oil dispensers, and select ceramics -small yard art -and much much more I know I said this already, but I love this place. I never go in without buying something! The staff will beautifully gift wrap your packages, help you create a gift basket, and they even have gift registries. The shop is tucked away in a quiet little strip mall (next to Murdale Shopping Center), but that ensures you almost always get a parking spot. If you're in Carbondale, and you want a nice little gift for mom, (yourself), aunt, (yourself), grandma, (yourself), BFF, (yourself), newlyweds, (yourself), or just about any ladies(yourself), you must stop here. The Apple Tree is just about perfect.

Letting my wife write this one... My daughter and I really…read moreenjoy shopping at this one-of-a-kind treat of a boutique! If we don't want the "same old" we go here! It's a wonderful place for a gift, and they will wrap it for you too! Great selection of jewelry, cards, garden flags, candles and dip mixes too. They never disappoint, which means we "never" leave empty handed!

Handmade Homestead makes handmade soaps, bath bombs, lotions, ChapSticks, face creams, dog soaps,…read moreShampoo & conditioner bars, and a variety of other items made from real goat milk from goats that they raise! My skin and hair love the products that come from the Wayers. You will just love it too! They have a variety of other gift items that they make to sell as well as items available from other local venders such as sublimation items this includes mugs, t shirts, travel tumblers, puzzles, and other items that can be made to order by Calico Impressions. Local Honey is available to purchase, as well as unique handmade jewelry, crochet items, artistic hanging art and much more. The Wayers Handmade Homestead is Gem! I love it and you will love to shop there for yourself and for your gift giving needs.

We where visiting Marion and looking to kill some time and decided to go antique shopping . We fell…read moreupon Pickers Paradise and just loved the vibe . Sweet lady that owns the shop was so nice and kind . I bought a couple of bowls to take home for my daughter and I . Thank you for your awesome service .

Pickers Paradise is awesome! A purchased a few items and the price was more than reasonable. Duane…read morewas working and he was really helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable about the town. He even gave us a visitors guide so we could check out local spots. Marion is a really cute town and these small businesses make it really worthwhile.

This was a good store to check out in the Makanda Boardwalk. Though there was only one person…read moreworking here he was actually very cool to interact with. This place reminded me so much of an Earthbound Trading Store and I had a lot of great down-to-earth items and incense to buy namely. They have a huge collection of rocks as well for those who are interested. Store here was really large too compared to all the other stores. Overall, I recommend checking this place out when you get a chance.

Stopped by Makanda shops on a Monday. Poor selections. 2/5 closed. One said call us at this phone…read morenumber, we are out back...really? One I bought ice cream and coffee, but was never greeted until I walked over to the man and said Hello, how are you. Disappointing....

I love antique and peddler malls. I love seeing the treasures others have shared. This place is…read morehuge. It's super clean. Nice restrooms. The prices are reasonable. You do need to watch on some of the pieces. Great people watching. There is a lot to choose from. Their staff is really friendly. This place will do well.

I love antique stores and this is by far the best antique store I've ever been to. I have been to…read moreantique stores throughout the nation and this is it. It was a road trip for me and the friendly staff helped me figure out what way is best to get through this amazing collection. The owner also gave me a lot of backstory on some of the artifacts. Love history and this is the place to go. There are so many treasures that are well organized in this amazing place. If you get overwhelmed, it's OK because it happens to the best of us. There's so much and you will probably find the treasure you've been looking for. I also feel that everything is reasonably priced. You're not gonna find markups here. This is the place to go for antiques! I kid you not . If you live there or near there, you need to visit. If you don't like me, it is worth the road trip. Don't worry if you've been chugging a caffeinated soda on the road trip they'll point you to the restrooms when you get there.

Wow...what a charming diamond in the rough... with beautiful Monroe county as a back drop…read more We Had the chicken rice casserole, asparagus quiche, Parma crusted chicken breast stuffed with provel, mushrooms, spinach, and a light, harmonious blend of herbs Also enjoyed chicken salad sandwich and buttermilk pie ( sort of a cross between creme brûlée and custard ). All FANTASTIC and highly recommended! Only negatives are; * limited menu and limited hours ( but as the delightful owner/only cook, Jeannette puts it: "She's it."). You have to check web-site daily to see that day's whimsical menu. * maybe nit picking but view on webpage is not their view... Still pretty though. A few tips: 1. Make a rez (small place and she has to turn people away sometimes) ...be a shame to drive all that way and not eat. 2. It's not too too hard to find...looking for the signs helps. Best to use directions from their website rather than mapquest ( which has some mileage off) both work though. * There is no town really of "Fults, IL"...nearest quaint town is Maeystown for a drive through on way back via Bluff road. On that note, HIGHLY recommend driving back via BLUFF ROAD. Melissa, the farmer's daughter (I know, and shame on you), will tell you how to get there...it's real easy...bucolic, river valley farmland on your left, river bluffs on your right Just as fast back to stl as route 3, ...but what do you care ...it's the journey as much as the destination, right? :) Hope this helped, John

Yesterday two friends and I drove across the JB Bridge, through Columbia and Waterloo to Kaskaskia…read moreRd., then on about another 6 miles or so to find a recommended lunch place. The drive was less than 20 minutes from the bridge, good roads and farmland. It would be lovely with fall color! Signage begins at Kaskaskia road, so it was not difficult to find. When we arrived we parked at the remodeled barn than houses the restaurant and gift shop. There are two outdoor dining areas as well as a few tables inside. The owner and her daughters welcomed us warmly. Jeannette, the owner, makes all of the food, locally grown whenever possible. Each of us had either spinach or asparagus quiche and it was light, creamy and delicious! It came with a Italian style green salad and fresh bread. One of us had cheesecake with strawberries that Jeannette had grown and frozen herself. The other two had buttermilk pie simply because we had always heard of it but never tried it... also delicious, topped with freshly whipped cream. We were seated near the kitchen and Jeannette chatted with us amiably while she tossed fresh salads for each order and warmed dishes individually for the guests. It was as though we were dining with a friend. They serve bottled water and soda as well as wine and beer. The gift shop has very cute items such as you would see in any nice gift boutique. Although lunch, water and dessert ran each of us $18+, all three of us intend to return. With the cooler weather Jeannette promises to add pot pie to the menu which changes with available ingredients and her mood.

Best place, best value! Family owned and run! I loved everything about it! You could make a day…read moreof it and not break the piggy bank!

Had a very nice time at Bandy's! Got a pumpkin, had fun in the corn maze. Not that many things for…read moreadults to do but it was still very nice, and they have a lot of activities for childern.

Veey nice resistor, to fuel up get a snack and maybe some fireworks!! So many affordable souvenir…read moreoptions. I want to try the hot sauce the have that requires a waiver (lol) but I jad to get back on the road... lunch there was good, sides are huge pieces but disappointed my chicken wasnt throughly cooked.

Nice place to visit great place to eat and the kids will love shopping around there . They have a…read morewide variety of things from caps to tee shirts to candy to a qt of oil. If you want it they got it.

I've heard about this little store on Facebook and couldn't make it to visit until now. This is a…read moregreat store to find a unique gift for someone who is difficult to buy for. I personally love the signs they have for sale. They are made locally.

I've been three total times so far and each time has been amazing. The owners are fantastic and…read morelovely people. The selection is amazing they have so many countries and cultures available. They will even custom order for you! And the shop is so cute and easy to view the products.

Amazing! Clean & delicious snacks from every country you could think of. The owners, husband and…read morewife are friendly and knowledgeable, such a pleasant experience we go often.