I recently stopped into Ecclection, and I was impressed with the charming selection of new and…read morevintage items. This is the place to go for whimsical gifts for any age. They had some toys, body care items and great gifts for the vintage-lover in one's life. They also feature wares by local artists, which was my favorite feature of all. The shop owner was personable and available for any questions. Shops such as this often have high price points, but that was not the case at Ecclection. I look forward to returning when I have birthday and holiday gifts to purchase for gal pals.

Fantastic shop for locals and tourists alike; it's just far enough off the beaten path that I think…read morelots of tourists need to be in the know to find it. I've driven by the shop several times and wondered what it was--I saw the solidarity fist; bar? Union headquarters? I found out what it was when I ended up here to buy souvenirs when flying home to visit family. They have TONS of stuff, lots of t-shirts and sweatshirts, but also hats, glasses, mugs... even pacifiers with the Chicago flag on them (you know I bought one for the toddler). They have some standard Chicago flag stuff but they also put their spin on it with some flags made with animal paws, or maybe my favorite was the one with apples on it. I think that's what lured me in, actually; my best friend is a teacher and I wanted to get one to take to her. The guy that works there told me the story, that the teacher's union was going to strike and this was a design they had come up with and Rep CHI started printing them. I looooooove the way the Chicago flag is used as the basis of so many designs and this is one of my favorites. Prices are super reasonable and you'll find lots of great stuff here. If you have visitors, I'd definitely bring them here first to look for souvenirs. The parking is fairly easy, all street in this area of Jeff/Portage Park. And grab a few of their little buttons on the way out!

I loved discovering this shop over the weekend. They have a fully comprehensive wealth of…read moreChicago-themed items for sale. What sets them apart is that their pricing is so affordable. I will be back for Christmas gifts (even when I shop for me, to me, haha) because they have the best selections. This time, I only purchased two buttons. They are only $1. I never see buttons that affordable. I am pretty sure it was the owner behind the counter, and she was super fun and nice. If she was not the owner, she was a very devoted employee. I look forward to my next visit because this expansive shop is outstanding!

Worked with the owner on a custom basket for my husband. communication on the contents and the…read moreefforts made to accommodate my requests was top notch. Recommend Thoughtful Presence without hesitation. And glad to support a local business.

Thank you, Mary! You helped me design a fabulous combo grandpa basket for baby boy while adding in…read morethe most delicious snacks. I really appreciate the time and effort. My boss loved the basket.

I just wanted to thank Bruce so much for doing such a beautiful job on centerpieces for my son's…read morefirst birthday. I didn't have any idea what I wanted and he knew exactly what to do in the price range I wanted. He is also such a kind man and just exudes the qualities of the best parts of shopping local. I can't wait to have an opportunity to return.

The floral arrangement was nice, but there wasn't much of an assortment and the service was not…read morevery friendly. I went in and they didn't have any flowers to match the color palate I was looking for, so I compromised. I told them I was looking for $100 arrangement and the final cost came to over $110. There was not conversation about this and the person working was not very friendly. They didn't make any small talk and seemed inconvenienced that I was there. It's not like they were busy and doing anything.

I am sorry for writing this, but this place is way too disorganized. They started a book club early…read morea few months ago and did not contact me, even though I was in the area. Add this to the higher prices and a few other mishaps, I won't be back. I gave them two stars because I really appreciate them being a small business, but they have burned me too many times

Great small bookstore with little extras to pu together a bookish gift, great events, lovely owners.read more

I really love this little thrift shop next to cute and quirky October Cafe. It's filled with a few…read morehard working and very kind volunteers. They provide baskets if you'd like to hold while you shop and a table where you can set your items down until you're ready to purchase. I've never had an issue with getting an item snagged. I always leave with more items than anticipated and they're high quality vintage treasures every time! I've found two fantastic fitting blazers and their blazers are priced at $7! Almost unbelievable. Staff is friendly, keep items organized and the place stays well stocked it seems. I find anything from houseware, to decor, to clothes every time. A great selection of toys as well. During the holidays this year, they even had a Santa sitting and reading stories with free pictures. It was very sweet- and free! Worth a stop and be prepared to shop.

This is a great little thrift store! Many, many interesting things for sale. Some antiques…read moresprinkled here and there and whoever runs it knows their business.

This was an unexpected quirky store . Lots of trinkets and ideas kids created and were sold in this…read morestore, along with different creative books. Overall a very unique and fun store to be surprised. Right next to Shuga Records on Milwaukee Ave.

Visiting Chicago from Indiana. Found the bookstore on Yelp and thought it would be really great to…read moresee. Walked from our hotel to the Blue line. Road the Blue line all the way to where we were supposed to get off. Walked to the store but it was closed. We were there at 11 but the store doesn't open until 11:30. We went walking down the street until it opened up. Found another book store which was really cozy, fun, and cute. Made it back to the store at 11:45. Store was still closed. Went into the record store for a few more minutes to wait. Still no one there. Went all the way back to our hotel and visited a different bookstore and bought stuff there. Thought the concept was pretty unique but lost my only opportunity to visit.

When I said to the older gray hair woman if they had anything for Hanukkah she said there's no…read moreJewish people in Park Ridge and she's never seen one since she lived there! What a stupid statement how would she know that for a fact I'm Jewish I would be remissed if I didn't say everyone was rude the others included the owner was very nice and helpful! I love the unique style of there gifts! I was just very shocked by what the women said it really upset me she should have none better. I don't know what year she's living in but I know several Jewish people living there. She's very uneducated about what's going on in this world and should have a more open mind It was so upsetting to me! I really loved the story unfortunately I will never shop there again it was a antisemitism comment we all need to love each other and think twice what we sty!

I called this store looking for a specific product to buy as a gift for my wife. The worker told me…read morethey did not currently have it in stock but could order it. I told her I needed it very soon. She was very polite and recommended another store nearby that she thought would have the product. She was correct, I wouldn't have found it without her! I really appreciate their honest, helpful staff!

Nice shop in Portage Park. I stopped at Junebug and saw it there so wanted to stop in, and I'm glad…read moreI did because they have a nice selection of bath and body items. The owner said that he makes them all himself, and he also has soap making classes which is pretty cool. And apparently he's a the Park Ridge Farmer's Market as well, so I've seen him there a couple times and didn't make the connection! I bought a couple of face masks because I'm a sucker for them. They had at least three or four kinds but I stuck to just two (they're the plastic face mask kind, not like a cream or powder that you mix). I also bought some eye masks so I am totally ready for a little self-care session. In addition to hand soaps and face masks, they have accessories like sponges, towels, body butters and scrubs, and so on. They have some other home fragrance items too. Parking is on the street with use of the Chicago parking app. They have an online store too!

Sam has an absolutely beautiful store with amazing energy. Whether the products are handmade by him…read moreor cultivates from other makers with care, everything he sells is high-quality and smells amazing.

Jessica is absolutely amazing! She helped us visualize and bring to life our perfect wedding…read more Jessica took my very vague suggestions about "jewel tones," and helped me determine what I actually wanted my wedding to look like. She sent over lots of pictures and ideas throughout the process to check in and make sure she was on the right track. She also helped us ensure that other design elements (table linens, dishes, wedding signs) would work with the flowers. The floral design was stunning. The installation on the mulberry tree was absolutely gorgeous. All of the bouquets, centerpieces, and flowers were true masterpieces. Jessica is incredible and Anemone is the best!!

Working with Jessica and the team at Anemone was one of the highlights of our wedding planning…read moreprocess. From the very beginning, Jessica fully understood our vision (despite me knowing nothing about flowers). We wanted a timeless look with white florals and lush greenery, and she brought it to life perfectly. Every detail was stunning, from the elegant bouquets to the show-stopping hanging installation for our ceremony/dance floor that absolutely took our breath away. Not only did everything look gorgeous, but Jessica also worked within our budget without compromising our vision, a rare and much-appreciated balance. Beyond the beauty, it meant so much to us that Anemone is a sustainable vendor. Jessica helped us compost and donate our flowers after the event, which made the whole experience feel even more meaningful. We're so grateful to Jessica and her team for helping make our day feel (and look!) so special. If you're a Chicago couple looking for a talented, kind, and eco-conscious florist -- look no further than Anemone.