I wrote a review several years ago in which I praised Julie's ability to pick out jewelry…read more(specifically earrings) that look good on me. I have bought at least three pairs of earrings from Julie which I never would have picked up to try on myself -- I needed her eye to help me (1) find them and (2) realize that I wanted something like them in my jewelry wardrobe. The way this usually plays out is: I come in to the store and find a few things in the cases to try on; I am drawn to the way earrings look hanging on a stand or propped up on those little pieces of wood or leather that all jewelry stores use, but it's very hard correctly connect all the dots from "I like the way that looks in the case" to "that would look good on me." Earrings genuinely do not look the same once you pick them up and put them in your ears, and I've made the mistake more than once of buying earrings that looked great in my jewelry box, but not as great on. (But I have not done this at Virtu, because I think Julie would stop me). So first I try the things on that I pick out, and then Julie usually slides on over with, "...but would you consider these?" And she does it in a really friendly way that is not pushy or a high-pressure sales tactic, it is more "I think this shape/color/contrast would look good in your particular ears." And she is right with astounding frequency, including sometimes with pieces I would never have looked twice at in the case. It is a genuine skill and I find it impressive. For this reason I unfortunately have to limit the number of times I visit per year because I am so likely to buy things!

What a lovely shop, with an even lovelier proprietor! I've been visiting metta baby down the street…read morefor the last few weeks, and when I've passed Virtu it piqued my interest. Today I was at metta baby for a CPR refresher so I finally had the opportunity to head down the block and check it out. The owner had opened it a few minutes early because when I got there at 10:58 (they open at 11) there were already a few people in and she joked that perhaps she should open at 10. She was super friendly with everyone in the store and very helpful. There were a couple folks with whom she was talking about the being a business owner (they were also business owners), and the business climate in Bucktown. She was joking around with some other customers about some funny cards that she carries. When I was looking at the various jewelry cases she has throughout the store, she let me know right away that if I wanted to see anything to let her know, and she told me about some of the designers that she had in her shop. I really enjoyed talking with her, and I'm almost ashamed I didn't get her name. Her passion for her business and local businesses in general, as well as her dedication to truly providing fantastic and thoughtful service to her customers was palpable. Virtu's proprietor is the epitome of why I LOVE to shop local; oftentimes people at mass merchandisers, whilst hard working and helpful, don't have the same sort of pride, flexibility, and ethos of care that a local business owner does. I visited a couple days before Halloween, and she mentioned that after the holiday she'd start putting out the Christmas merchandise which is already waiting to make its debut. I think she also mentioned that she has extended hours during the holiday season. I'm excited to stop in once she's in the holiday swing to see what I can find here for friends, loved ones (and who knows, maybe even myself), and maybe even something special for my little one's first Christmas.

New plant daddy here, got my first couple low maintenance plants last month at Hearthstone &…read moreTerrace and I did not make it a secret to the lovely people there that I didn't know one thing about plants. They seemed almost excited to welcome me into the world of this hobby that seemed to have taken storm during the pandemic for many renters and homeowners. Absolutely love visiting this shop and giving them my business because frankly, they're nice people who have a passion and a vast amount of knowledge of all things plants. Now a month later I got three wonderful pots in my living room and working on making this a much bigger hobby in my life. Don't be afraid to ask these people any questions or to have a good look around the place. A must-visit stop in the Uptown neighborhood.

Neighborhood gem! Large variety of plants, pots, decor, candles and more. Very friendly and…read morehelpful. Pricing is reasonable, great if your looking for a gift or something to make your home feel special

This is place is a gem in Andersonville. I did most of my…read moreChristmas shopping here the last two years. Every gift from this shop is very special and well received! Wonderful selection of plants (and flowers when in season) and so many beautiful items. The staff is very welcoming and knowledgeable about your new plant baby. Also, I strongly advise you to follow their Instagram! It's hilarious and breath of fresh air!

Cute shop with lots of Instagram worthy plants and stationary…read more They do update their Instagram as well with new arrivals and have been very responsive to any first aid question I had on my new babies.

We had to stay home for the first time for the holidays due to covid so this Christmas was looking…read morea little different for us. We'd never had a real tree and since we lived across the street from Jayson Home, we decided to pick out our first live tree to make the season a bit warmer. Their tree selection was perfection. All the trees were healthy and came in many shapes and sizes. The staff was super friendly and helpful. When we finally found 'the one' it was love at first sight. We just knew. The staff gently wrapped it up for us and we left it there to pick up the next day. When we arrived to take our tree home, we were surprised when a staff member offered to carry it across the busy street into our house! We were prepared to make the arduous journey alone, but this man was a saint. Once inside, we grounded our tree, released its casing, and stepped back. Wow. After a horrible year this was just what we needed. The aroma hit us like a million happy Christmas memories years before. Thank you Jayson Home for helping make this year a little brighter for us and for your helpful staff!

I recently went to Jayson Home to pick up a small orchid. It took everything out of me to stay…read morefocused and not look around. It's one of those places where you pop in for a minute and can easily leave an hour later. This place is teeming with eclectic items for every room in the house. Even though the store is big, it has a feeling of being one of those small shops in a seaside town with great art objects and home decor. The kind of store you wished they had back home only it is back home in Chicago! My only quip about this store is the customers you run into during your visit. While Jayson's carries items for most people's budget, they do have items for those who have, let's say, extra, extra income. And for some reason the people I've come across in my path of perusing come off very snobby. That aside, I have found the service to be friendly and helpful.

Super cute little gift shop. I bought some little wooden cars for 2 year old's birthday AND was…read moreable to visit a mini art vending machine (my goal for going). Glad the mini art drew me in because the store is so fun and the staff was lovely.

HEADS UP, LOCALS: If you're shopping here to support independent artists and local businesses, take…read morea closer look at what you're buying--you might be buying TEMU. Living in Wicker Park, I intentionally spend more money at neighborhood businesses because I want to support the community behind them. That's why I purchased a ring here for $34. Later, I found what appears to be the identical ring on Temu for $3.20. The price difference isn't what bothered me. Local businesses need to make money. What bothered me was believing I was supporting a unique local boutique, only to discover what appears to be a mass-produced item readily available online. Maybe some items here are made by local artists. I hope they are. Too bad the owner wasn't there when I stopped in, because this is feedback I would have preferred to give directly. Whether the response to this review is that the ring isn't from Temu, that retail markups are normal, or that other products in the store are locally made, the underlying concern remains the same: customers who choose to shop local deserve transparency about what they're actually supporting. That's what makes this so disappointing.

This is a fun, unique (not-a-cult) coffee and artist café in the West Town area…read more I loved grabbing an iced latte and browsing the unusual candles, cards, clothing, jewelry, cutting boards and more. I found items to be pricey, but it would be worthwhile to shop here for a one-of-a-kibd gift and to support local artists. I will be back before the end of Summer, for sure. The layout is bright inside, relaxed, clean and welcoming. Clean restroom customers can use too. Check out the vintage clothing in the back room, extremely artful, food-like candles, and gift card creations.

Stumbled upon this neat store while waiting for a table at Uncle Mike's (it was recommended on…read moretheir waitlist platform). Cool concept and items in the store, it is fun to browse and check out the variety of items they carry in the store from arts and drawing tools, to pens and stationery, to candles and scents, to clothing, to novelty gifts and to foods and snacks! If you fancy a drink, there is also coffee and couple small tables for you to sit down and enjoy. The space is nicely curated and organized; however, the things are simply too pricy. There are metal egg holders that are $100 each! The coffee drinks are priced similar to any other coffee joints these days though.

A wonderful place for good energy and healing in the South Loop. So glad that it is in the…read moreneighborhood and I encourage everyone to check it out and support this institution. Beautiful crystals, meditation mats and an area for workshops/classes. Just beautiful energy!

What a beautiful, well-stocked store! Went in to browse the crystal collection and was not…read moredisappointed. Incense and sage were being burned and I felt welcomed immediately. There are tons of big beautiful crystal pieces for home, jewelry for any taste, a selection of spiritual items, candles and incense, as well as fairly-priced smaller crystals which is what I was looking for. They even included a cute little velvet bag with my stone. Definitely will be returning in the future for myself and anyone I need to get gifts for!

Super cute store! Have a really good selection of candles, books, stickers, trinkets, and cute…read morelittle gifts or decorations. Prices range but for a boutique business not bad at all. Candles range from 10-35$. Service was great the person who helped us was friendly and nice, they even give a discount for new customers at the time we went! They also offer candle making experiences which sounds so fun!

Love this store. Good selection. Nice owners and beautiful things... I just go in a happily…read morebrowse. Than but beautiful things.