This place is crazy unique. One of the best fun/funny gifts stores anywhere. High quality stuff, beautifully curated, great interesting and hilarious. And if Dame Joan Cusak is there, you will have a quintessential Chicago experience. 10/10, would recommend! read more

Super neat shop! We loved the greeting cards, art books, pins, Chicago postcards, and especially loved the more unique objects for sale, like the NASA-patched toddler bomber jacket and wooden tree swings! Staff was super friendly and helpful. Everything was displayed beautifully. Very tidy and organized. I bought a funny greeting card and it was packaged up in a cute paper popcorn bag! A lovely touch. read more

See all

It was really cool. Found some awesome stuff we couldn't find anywhere else. And the staff went above and beyond to find the Jane Austen product for us. read more

This curious little shop is a blissful marriage of humor, nostalgia, and quirkiness. The staff is incredibly welcoming and friendly, and the shop itself looks like a step back in time. They have a delightful collection of clever greeting cards, silly socks, puzzles, games, toys, books, jewelry, candles, and nostalgic Chicago goods. Today's haul included finger puppets, retro candy, mood rings, a few cards, and a small tin of fried chicken candy. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Choose the small journal that's titled "Psychiatric Notes About My Dog." Treat yourself to a few pairs of tiny foot puppets for your fingers, then have finger races and dance-offs with your friends, family, or the person sitting next to you on a plane. This place is awesome! read more

Judy Maxwell Home - Gift Shops Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love that Old Town and Wells Street in particular offer small family owned restaurants, stores, and businesses! Love that Judy Maxwell Home offers a general store atmosphere with cards and unique gifts. Love the VOTE 2020 selection of dog collars, leashes, necklaces, and prayer candles featuring Kamala Harris and Joe Biden! Lots of great books as well.....truly unique! read more

See all

This place was (believe it or not!) the highlights of my last trip to Chicago. ( usually avoid gift shops with a certain level of assiduousness reserved for Jehovah's Witnesses and the bubonic plague; it's true.) That said, some very clever and infinitely funny Chicagoan friends who live in Boystown convinced me to visit this charming little shop with them. (They're the same friends who turned me on to fried sprats and cold beer on the pier, mmmkay? These are GOOD friends, folks.) I ended up spending a couple of hundred bucks and now have oodles of great little stocking stuffers for my family back in Oklahoma City. Yay. Yay. YAY. #WillReturn read more

Judy Maxwell Home - Friendly staff with visitors - Gift Shops Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

A shop for out of the ordinary gifts and cards. Shop here to be generous and kind to people you love. And funny. This place is the shopping equivalent of eating warm chocolate chip cookies. They did a great job at creating a placid atmosphere that seems designed to help you enjoy the pleasure of browsing. No rush. Take your time. There are plenty of interesting things to guide your eyes through the store. I get the feeling that the Oldtown chamber of commerce would like the rest of the stores on Wells to be more like JMH. It suits the Oldtown area brand. The almanac says it's going to be a rough winter, so don't put off shopping. Come check out the displays. They gift wrap items too. Joan Cusack might be the nicest person I have ever met. She was a customer in a place I used to work and was super cool. That comes across in this store. read more

See all

I took my daughter to the Judy Maxwell Gift Shop without thinking twice. We were staying at the Marriott Midway so talk about a drive to go to just 1 place in Chitown on a pit stop before returning home to the middle of nowhere, Texas. Once in the shop I fell in love with all the irreverent language every which way I turned. I also found a Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs cap I bought for my other daughter since she's a big Frazier fan. Once inside I found out who Judy Maxwell is and basically thought WTF!! I'll be back to also visit Orso's right next door to provar piacere di cucina Italiana. read more

This is why small business is so important. Exceptional customer service, personalized touches, whether a handwritten thank you card, holding a special item, the care taken with packing. Amazing, fun selection. It feels like the "Cheers" of shopping, where everyone knows your name. Quick shipping. Low turnover of staff or management. If only they'd franchise to Minnesota. read more

This store is so much fun! There really is something for everyone. Haven't met Joan but everyone who works there is super nice! Prices are reasonable and I love that they purchase stock from other small businesses and artists. read more

Great fun! Lots of cute and funny gifts and stuff! Always something new. Definitely the local spot for retail therapy and a laugh! I need that! read more

My daughter and I discovered this gem, a purveyor of whimsy that I recommend checking out. I could easily spend awhile exploring the unique and lovely things curated here. You will find something of a treasure that you cannot leave without purchasing! The team was also completely on board when I called to arrange a birthday gift surprise for my daughter. Thank you Dan!! read more

This gift shop is a gem in Old Town! Truly unique and custom items that will be sure to make someone feel special (and even laugh). Great customer service too! read more

Joan Cusack sold me a jar of honey BFF & I were walking around Old Town when we see this fun window display w/ all kinds of neat bric-a-brac Judy Maxwell Home - a fun curio shop owned by Joan Cusack - had a very eclectic collection w/ a wonderfully random bit of everything like Barnum & Bailey's Animal Cracker boxes, some fun costume jewelry, there was the pay phone in the window, a football helmet, some antique furniture, the gift baskets, some china pattern type dishes displayed on antique type table. Also, some funny cards....... .....and lots of jars of what I think I see as "Local Raw Honey". This immediately caught my eye as I am a big believer of the benefits of raw honey & I like to grab honeys from my travels Sure enough, it is confirmed that this is indeed raw honey, locally sourced - that's all I needed to hear! Thick & very mild flavor - this honey would be great w/ sweet & savory dishes alike. I could see using it in coffee or drizzled over cheese (just to name a couple uses) Joan happened to be in the shop on the day we visited & she explained how they use the honey w/ other things from their Tisane setup to have drinkys on cold fall / wintry days.....such a fantastic idea The shop was getting ready for the holiday season & starting to put together "themes" of gifts on their shelves - which would make it very easy to grab a unique & fun holiday gift.....they already did all the thinking & put it all together for you Definitely worth a stop if in the Old Town area - lots to discover & enjoy! read more

This is an interesting shop! It's a perfect place to buy a gift. It has comical gifts, "gag gifts," and legit thoughtful gifts. I bought a wooden scrabble tile with my initial. Three of us perused the store for quite some time and probably picked up everything in there saying "look at this!" It's worth a stop when you are walking the neighborhood or if you need a unique gift! read more

Had to exchange a Christmas present given to the fur baby. Great ladies helped pick out the cutest replacement. Wonder Gracie Mae! read more

Judy Maxwell Home - Gift Shops Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is awesome. The staff is Fuck'n awesome. The products are hilarious. I highly recommend visiting them.

Love this place! Perfect for gifts --for yourself and others. They have everything--for babies, kids, adults. Games, puzzles and beautiful kitchen items. Very kind owners and staff too. read more

LOVE this store! When they first opened, the fantastical window display immediately grabbed my attention. I wasn't even sure of what it was but I knew I liked it! Once they officially opened my feelings were confirmed. I dig it!!! Super cool vintage wares, cool art, cards, jewelry, locally sourced natural products, home decor of all kinds and...just treasures everywhere. What's more is that if you are a fan of anything I just listed, the staff will happily geek out with you whilst on your journey through the store. I love this addition to the neighborhood. Yay!!! read more

Always find random things here...like this baby outfit which they wrapped up like a Chicago style hot dog!! read more

Judy Maxwell Home - Gift Shops Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Such a fun place for birthday cards, gifts, and funny things to make you laugh. Love their window displays and creative nature!

This is a neighbor gem of a store in Old Town, Chicago. Great cards and gifts from inexpensive to investments, fun toys for all ages, hilarious tchotchkes and the best of all, super friendly and knowledgeable staff. read more

My friend and I went in the store today and giggled and giggled over all of the fantastic finds--this place is SO much fun. I was visiting from out of town and had wanted to stop by, it was truly a treat. Joan is the ultimate hostess and it's no surprise that her adorable personality is all over Judy Maxwell! read more

Super cute spot with quirky off beat brands and unique gifts. My husband bought a gift here for his work's white elephant gift exchange. It's a little more pricey for some of the merchandise but it's a fun shopping experience browsing things. Nice bonus was that they wrapped our gifts for free. read more

It is such an amazing store. Great for fun gifts, gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and I have yet to leave without buying myself something too! Staff is fun , knowledgeable & not at all pushy! read more

Nice, friendly little shop. Cute whimsical items priced appropriately for such a shop. It's no more than a five minute walk through, definitely could use twice as many products. Employees friendly and fun. read more

Living in the area, I have made sure to stop in at least once every couple months. Upon entry you will find an assortment of random and fun items. From postcards to books to coffee table items and more. There is always something new to catch my eye. If you are in the area, I recommend taking 10 pr 15 minutes to give it a whirl. read more

I was attracted to this cute little shop because of the gigantic pink flamingo in the window and upon entering this adorable shop, I found the cutest knickknacks, gifts, gag gifts, and toys. I bought a gift for my daughter (which she loved) and I could have purchased everything in the store had I had enough money. If you need a gift for anyone from new born baby to adult, this is your store. I loved it! read more

This place is fantastic, and thankfully so close to my work! It has saved me multiple times when I am in "last-minute gift" situations. The staff is fun and friendly, and there are always new items to look at. Sometimes I stop in on my lunch break just to look around, because something usually makes me smile or laugh. My friends and family are always pleasantly surprised with the gifts I get from Judy Maxwell Home, because they are unique items that can't be found just anywhere. It's great to have shopping options like this in Old Town. read more

Delightful surprises, items you did not know you needed, and perfect gifts for the hardest-to-buy for -- that is the enticing assortment you will find in this adorable little island of whimsy and wit curated by one of Hollywood's most delightful performers, Joan Cusack. The store is named for one of her favorite movie characters, the madcap Barbra Streisand role in "What's Up Doc?" The staff is friendly and encouraging, but never pushy, and they are happy to have your items autographed by Ms. Cusack, if you like. From delightfully goofy to oh-no-they-didn't outrageous, there is something here for everyone. read more

Very cool store. Clerk was great. Got some neat items for daughter's dorm. Something for everybody.