A cute little gift shop in Evanston. I found some postcards to send to friends, but they also have…read morehome decor, jewelry and other gifts all packed into this little storefront. Worth a stop if you are nearby.

Yesterday we participated in our first successful Small Business Saturday…read more Stumble and Relish was on my bookmarks list and this time I had reason to go! There are many lovely crafted items. So many unique finds too! They have Evanston-centric decor and souvenirs so if you're looking for that perfect gift for yourself or a loved one, you're sure to find it here. After making your purchase, they will box your items (free of charge) upon request. This is my first opportunity shopping local and after my visit here, it won't be my last!

Ahh! This used to be Studio Armadi, remember that! This is a stationery and paper gift shop. Items…read morestart at six dollars and goes up. The staff and service are passengerific!

NiceLena is painted so vibrantly that you can't help but pop in!…read more Besides being a gift shop filled with gifts (stationery, magnets, stickers, planters), several of the items are designed and MADE BY the artist herself! There's little signs that say "hi I made this!" and they're everywhere! Love love love that touch! Lena is chatty and joins in the conversation which I love-it makes you feel like everyone is welcome and included. While I was checking out, she told us the most exciting part= you can bring in any vessel and she will fill it with candle wax! Think of all the perfect vessels you have at your house RIGHT NOW! Those could be candles! This is the kind of place you WANT to visit! The stuff inside is great as is the owner/designer/artist! Enjoy!

Such a cute and welcoming shop filled with trinkets of all kinds. There is something for everyone,…read moreincluding pins, mugs, buttons, stickers, earrings, clothing, and more! The store owner is so sweet and a pleasure to talk to! Things are reasonably priced and it's always great to support a small business :)

Chicago has the best souvenir shops and this one is among them. They have everything that you could…read morewant to remember Chicago by. We were looking for several things like quality magnets, mugs and frames and found some here as well as one other souvenir shop nearby. The prices are reasonable here. We didn't need to go anywhere else. The manager here was very nice and helpful. She had some good recommendations about sightseeing that we appreciated. We took a picture of her. We are happy that we found her shop.

I was walking by on my way to get something to eat at the Taste of Chicago when I spotted this…read moreplace. I love collecting souvenirs everywhere I travel, especially a shot glass and a magnet, so of course I had to stop in! Love the name!! The store wasn't crowded at all, which was great, and it was well stocked with plenty of Chicago souvenirs, T-shirts, magnets, shot glasses and other items. The staff was helpful, and I thought the prices were very reasonable. Great little place to stop if you're looking for Chicago souvenirs without spending a fortune.

Went to an absolutely FUN opening here - Shane Swank and Steve Walters showed their art here last…read morenight. There is much to love here! ART, books, gifts, unusual items, gifts and a really great vibe. GO HERE, shop local, and let's help this business thrive!!

Super cool shop filled with lots of fun art and gifts. Run by two artists, they curate items from…read moretheir vast network of local friends and artists. Great addition to Rodgers Park

Described on their website as "An Art Deco and Art Nouveau Concept Store," so if you are…read morecultivating an historical vibe, this is the shop to check out for decor and gifts! Lots of flappers will be found, as well as cocktail accoutrements, trinket trays, jewelry, stationery, and bath products.

Gorgeous selection of truly unique items. This is my go-to store for glassware and special gifts…read more Don't listen to the negative reviews, the prices are worth it -- you're paying for the work of someone finding and curating these items which you may otherwise not find yourself. That's invaluable!

Cuuuuuute alert! For all you artsy crafty mavens out there, this is your stop. It's a shop filled…read morewith a well-curated selection of paper goods, books, coloring books, custom art, fabric lamp shades, and gifts in varying price points. From the second I walked in, I was engulfed by a most delightful smell, perhaps a candle burning somewhere? I was greeted by the owner's assistant, Kate, who gave me an overview of the shop and some of the classes they offer in the back, like coptic bookbinding, collage, crafting, and self-motivation classes. They also have a meet up group called The Grown*Up Girls Club where you can meet up with other like-minded individuals and explore new art/craft/maker techniques. The Club meets the second Sunday of every month. The Collage Cafe is a newer business located in an adorable corridor mixed with other art-inspired shops. You can go door to door and visit each one while you're at it! Can't wait to stop back in. But, as I'm writing this, when I go back I realize the selection is too overwhelming for my taste (in a good way of course) because I want one of everything.

One day my young daughters and I where walking by and came in into this beautiful place, what a…read morewonderful store! The owner is such a great lady, great host, kind and knowledgeable. I scheduled a coloring evening for a group of friends from church. We had a delightful experience! The place was set up with a wide variety of water colors, wood colors pencils, markers, etc. the pages provided were also varied, from really intricate to more simple so we were all able to pick something that suited our taste and level of artistry. We already scheduled another event and are looking forward to it. Definitely a great place for gifts, classes and more.

I came here for a Saturday opening and reception of Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas and…read moreBeyond Boundaries: Three Decades of Contemporary Chinese Art. It was so nice to go to a reception on a Saturday afternoon instead of a week night. The setup of the place is such that the food and drinks are floor level, but no food/drinks are allowed in the gallery space. Not convenient but understandable. This was my 2nd or 3rd time in this space. There was cheese/meat/fruit in one area, sealed pieces of cake in another area, and bartenders pouring wine, beer, soda, and water. Also a special drink dedicated to Alma Thomas. I was not familiar with her work, she was big admirer of outer space. It coincided with the Artemis II lunar space trip, so that was just awesome! The other exhibit about the University of Chicago's history with Chinese art was visually arresting and thought-provoking. There was a space separate for kids to do crafts as well. the bathrooms were small but clean, and a coat rack was provided, which was quite convenient. It is not far from public transportation, and I can't speak to parking, but the campus is so nice, if you live a mile or so away, it's a nice walk.

Family Day at the Smart Museum…read more When my daughter booked our family for Family Day as what we thought was part of U Chicago's Family Day, we were quite excited. A fun crafting adventure for the weekend. We almost didn't go as we were running late. Called and they said to come, so we did. Lucky to find a parking spot next to the Smart Museum on the University of Chicago campus. Walked in to the open atrium where we saw families of preschool aged kids with their mommies and daddies weaving on paper looms. My daughters have progressed to grad school, so we were a bit surprised. The museum curator also said when she scheduled Family Day at the Smart Museum of Art, she didn't realize that was also UChicago's Family Day. What a coincidence! So....we explored the museum first for inspiration. The museum is small, but had some beautiful installations. My favorite was the sunflower quilt print. The Sunflower Quilting Bee at Arles. Rosa Parks. Sojourner Truth. Ida Wells. Mary McLeod Bethune. Harriet Tubman. Vincent Van Gogh watching strong women advocate for equality from a distance. So powerful. Then, back to the atrium to pick up paper looms and fill brown paper bags with and assortment of strands of yarn, cord, shells and cards. Not having a plan, we went to work. Creativity inspired by our love for each other. Nice to have their featured artist come check on us. No, we were not on our phones. We were weaving small works of art. A great opportunity to spend a few quality hours with my daughters away from their responsibilities as adults studying to make an impact on the world. Family Day at the Smart Museum of Art. #2700

Incredible shop with even more incredible owners! The store is owned by a lovely couple, where the…read morewife designs all merch and the husband does a great job welcoming folks and making sure they know what's available. They had a great range of items with high-quality items. All items were dog/cat focused and had a wide range. Price is reasonable for the love that goes into each design and the quality! They also partner with local nonprofits and coalitions to help donate some proceeds to their organizations/causes. Such a wonderful shop!

My friend from Chicago came to Michigan to visit me and was wearing the cutest tank top. She…read moredirected me to this shops Instagram page. I messaged them and they were able to sell and ship me the tank top all the way to Michigan - in less than 24 hours!! When I'm in Chicago visiting I will be stopping by!! Thank you so much for your quick and kind service!! LOVE MY NEW TANK

What a fun and educational wine tasting by the lovely, enthusiastic and charming bartender, Crys!…read moreThanks to a really great deal via Groupon, you get tastings of seven different wines: white/red/one brut for two people for $45 including your choice of one white or red bottle to go. You get a card to rate each tasting w emojis, stars or numbers etc. My favorite was the Super Tuscan, as I prefer reds. (other Groupon options available.) This is my fourth wine tasting and it never gets old. I learned a little bit more about wine, wine making, etc. each time. The tasting room is quaint, comfortable clean and it's cool to see the wine barrels in the back creating that luscious liquid lol Many weekend nights offer live music/dancing for extended joviality among new friends. Dogs allowed a big bonus!! Free parking in lot.

Great wines and community! Definitely worth a visit. I love the monthly live music eventsread more