A cute little shop in downtown Ottawa. I really liked how everything was decorated Christmas and…read morethey had a lot of varieties-your typical red and green, whites with flecks of silver and gold, and some really adorable gift items. The shop owners were very kind and it was a busy shop when we were in there. They also sold appetizer and dips so they had a few out for customers to try. There was definitely a little bit of everything. It's very much a home decor shop, but yet there were a lot items that could be used for gifts at any time of year. I found a cute Christmas decoration for the house and would've walked out with more if the prices were a little lower. I could get a lot more for my money at a place like Hobby Lobby or Target, but I enjoy shopping local and finding a unique purchase!

Beautiful shop decorated for Christmas. Many lovely gifts to choose from. Staff was very friendly…read more Had a great time shopping plus the cookies and cider were an added benefit

Driving down highway 178 (Clark street) just beyond the down town business district of Utica Il on…read morethe east side of the street you will find an old western frontiersmen style of store called Mix's Trading Post. Upon waling in through the front door you will either be delighted or intimidated at the decor and style, but do no fret this place is awesome. From 1920's post cards ($1.00 collectors items) to moccasins to Motorcycle Jackets, this place has it all. I stopped in on this particular occasion to look for a new pair of biker boots, I have looked around and I was either unhappy with either the style or prices I found else where then I laid my eyes on some traditional style Milwaukee lace up boots (not those plastic buckle sort of things that look like roller blades) with a nice modern touch dual zippers on the side so you lace them the way you like tie a good knot and you never have to lace them again! Thankfully they take credit cards becasue I was not planning on making a purchase but at $105.00 who could pass this up. The owner is good old guy who checks up on you but does not follow you around and keeps good conversation short. If you are from the area and have not been here what are you waiting for? and if you are just passing buy stop on in and check them out there is something here for everyone.

In 15 years of coming to Starved Rock State Park and exploring the surrounding towns, I've only…read morestopped in twice, the first time in 2002 or so, and more recently just 2 days ago. The place hardly changed (except for a new biker bar annexed to it), and is a welcome sight whenever we visit town, with its familiar storefront and vintage Western style sign. It promises unique treasures inside, and it delivers! The eclectic mix of merchandise includes biker/Native American/fantasy themed tchotchkes. They also sell Minnetonka and Red Wing boots. I saw a whole wall of guns and bullets. My prize finds are vintage Starved Rock postcards and some new old stock glass seed bead bracelets. Prices are inexpensive to moderate. I hope they stay in business for many, many more years!

A nice little shop in the center of North Utica. On my way in to August Hill there was a sign on…read morethe door saying they'd be back in 10 minutes, and I stopped in after my visit to the tasting room. This gift shop is bursting with interesting items, from locally handmade candles (soy wax), to dishcloths that disintegrate after a few weeks, to pouches and pockets made from paper. There are t-shirts, items for infants, and so on. It's a very small shop. I love the sustainable and environmentally friendly niche it's carved out for itself. The proprietor was welcoming and friendly (chatting with myself and the shoppers as we wandered around). I bought several candles (I really need to stop buying or start burning them, because I have more than I have burned in the past ten years), one of which was the plant parent scent for a friend of mine. It smells so amazing--like having a bouquet of cut flowers right next to you--that I worry I'll talk myself out of it and it won't make it to her birthday. You should pop in when you're in town.

I came into town to see my best friend who's getting married in September, and as her maid of…read morehonor, we wanted to get some things handled. We were walking downtown and came across this place, and although it said "by appointment" on the door, they were happy to accommodate us on the spot. The young girl with dark hair was able to help us look at all shades and options for the grooms side and had much cheaper rates than other places we had looked. The tux rentals are itemized instead of one flat rate, so I'm still unsure if it'll be cheaper in the end but we loved the convenience and that we could shade match dresses at the same store for an all in one experience for ease and peace of mind that we'll match. She let me know that any dress I found in the area could be shade matched to the best man, and I found the perfect dress at only $160! I did find it weird that I'm usually a size 0-2 and the dress that fit was a size 6, but they were awesome at getting me alteration recommendations and assisting with me being out of state. They got the bride all set up with everyone's information so they could stop in whenever and pick out their dresses and get sized. They made it beyond easy for us to handle our outfits and with the wedding less than three months out, thank gourd for their ability to rush and keep it relatively inexpensive! I would honestly consider coming here for my wedding based on my experience as the maid of honor alone.

My husband and I came to Marion Mae so he could fitted for a tux. I went along and I'm glad I did…read more I have 3 weddings coming up this year and I found the most gorgeous dress that fits me perfectly for a totally reasonable price. Also got blinged out shoes that go perfectly! And the saleswomen were all so helpful.

Great experience, thank you!!…read more I was tasked with clearing out my grandparents' hole which held 90 years of stuff; worse still, I was in Colorado and the home is in Ottawa, IL. Rob and his team saved the day! Without ever meeting me in person, they worked diligently (and carefully) to remove almost every sellable item from that home! Thousands of items! Upon my return from vacation I had only 2 days' work to clear out the remaining bits and bobs, clean the house, and turn it over to the new owners. A job that could have taken me weeks to finish, ended up taking 2 days. A HUGE THANK YOU to Rob and his team!

This place is MASSIVE!!! Everything from soup to nuts...China to tools!…read moreSalt N pepper shakers....just about everything! Several little rooms full of hidden treasures..

Purchased my leather jacket from here and a pair of boots. Store owner, Kieth, is an awesome fellow…read moreand was very helpful and patient with this new rider.

I've been stopping here for a few years, mostly on motorcycle rides to Starved Rock state park…read more Until yesterday I've never spent any real money at the store. That all changed this weekend when my wife and I left with a few hundred bucks of new leather. The service from the owners was FAN-TAS-TIC. We were eagerly shown new styles, fitted into some great gear and even had a bit tailoring and button moving on the leather we bought. It's great to see real service is alive and well at Stonehead.

I loved this bar. So much room for big events. Had a live band. Multiple full bars. The food menu…read moreis short but it's good food! Will definitely be back here.

Good food, good music good drinks. and shopping. Great place to see your local bands.read more

A mom and pop place that has been in business for years. It was around well before me and my…read moremother remembers it from her childhood. I remember shopping here a few times with my grandfather, too. They have numerous items, including furniture. Prices are a bit pricey on some things but buying items locally saves me from having to go to Ottawa and Morris. Employees are nice, too.