ALWAYS LOVE COMING HERE when I visit my in-laws! Walked in and immediately was handled a holiday drink and just met with celebration! They have the coolest gifts. I buy so many things there for people. The cards selection are hilarious and always enjoy the olive oil tasting. As well they have delicious popcorn that is made! read more

We absolutely LOVE this place!! GREAT customer service. Great atmosphere. Soooo much to choose from. If you can't find something here there is something wrong with you. So many unique items and great finds. I highly recommend stopping by this place!! read more

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This store is too damn close to the Uptown Station. However, that is a good thing. By being so close, I can go over and grab some delicious popcorn and fudge before getting on the train to return to home. I need to be in Bloomington/Normal BNL, periodically for business meetings and they are always held in the conference rooms at the Uptown station. The meetings usually run long, but I still have time to run over to TGP. It's just a short block or two over and I am in popcorn heaven. My go to order is, Kettle Corn and Uptown Mix. The Uptown Mix is Cheddar and Caramel popcorn mixed. Sound familiar? I think every popcorn shop mixes those two together and puts a name on it that has a local twist. I keep telling myself to try other flavors, but I always get the same two. Another thing I keep repeating is, Birthday Cake Fudge. Oh, my it is super sweet, so one piece is enough. I am a sucker for birthday or wedding cake flavors. I even like them in my snow cones, concretes and cupcakes. It's one of my go to sweet flavor treats. I am also a kitchen gadget junkie and this store has them all. Hopefully, one of my next meeting I will have more time and will be able to shop their retail part of the store. The staff that I have dealt with, are super friendly. When: March 26, 2021 Why: I am addicted to popcorn. read more

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I've been shopping here for years. They now have expanded to include popcorn and candy. Seems like they don't have the kitchen appliances like I remember, but they still have some neat spatulas and other kitchen gizmos. read more

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Finally had a chance to check this place out and its pretty cool. They have a lot of interesting gift ideas, gadgets and kitchen stuff. Things are kind of pricey but not outrageous. They have a little popcorn/candy shop attached to it. They have a lot of fun popcorn flavors and they are yummy. The candies range from chocolate bonbons to jelly beans etc. We got a box of various flavored bonbons and some were a hit and some were a miss. Not all of them tasted like they were supposed to but some did. Really friendly staff though. read more

The Garlic Press - Home Decor Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Looking for a nice thank-you gift for a friend or a birthday gift for a parent or foodie? The Garlic Press should be your first stop. They have a nice assortment of kitchen items as well as picture frames, lamps, jewelry, local artisan stuff, etc. You should be able to find something that fits what you are looking for. The staff are all very professional and helpful. They will wrap your gifts and make suggestions. During the winter holidays last year they had a "guys night" where they invited guys in for pizza and beer and helped them pick out presents for the family. What a great idea! I have only tried the food at the attached deli a couple times but have never been disappointed. read more

The Garlic Press - Home Decor Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Fantastic. Not only do they have great specialty cookware, but they also have incredible decor items, personal items, stationary, all kinds of amazing treasures throughout the store. And when you combine popcorn and candy in the space next door, it is a win-win. And the staff is really wonderful, truly - personable, helpful, knowledgeable and just plain great. read more

Kitchen supplies, yes, but also everything else. For stores like this, it's often too easy to fall into the trap of "kitsch", but the items for sale at the Garlic press rotate often, and what is being sold is there deliberately. Honestly, the word "curate" springs to mind. Beyond just that, the staff are friendly and oh-so helpful, the fudge is divine... just go. You won't regret it. read more

This is a missed opportunity! Nice decor, friendly relaxed cafe, but the food, really? Stale bread, thick proscuitto slice, no butter! Boring salad, tasteless fruit salad! Cookie was good, hard to screw that up Pricing is 30% more than a panera for 50% less food and nowhere near the taste or quality of food! If you are not food demanding, your probably not notice vs another lame cafe!! read more

The Garlic Press - The place - Home Decor Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Very cool spot in Uptown. Huge varieties of funny and cute kitchen, stationary, and home stuff. I would love to see them bringing back their old cafe because they had such good food and prices. The newly opened popcorn shop at the original location is overly priced ($10 for a small popcorn？). But the candy layout seems cool and very cute. read more

Must try if you're looking to grab a quick healthy midday bite in Downtown Normal. The coffee brought me back to life after many long nights when I was back at university. The best thing: The Cobbish Salad: Blue cheese curds unlike any you've ever tasted before. They must've let some extra mold grow. The next best thing: you can pop next door without walking outside into a kitchenware, spice and goods store. read more

The Garlic Press gift side has not close! I was there yesterday. Love, love, love it! Please correct!! Garlic Press gift shop is open!! (Garlic Press cafe has closed) read more

Candy shop & popcorn addition is amazing, the fudge is to die for. 4 squares for $16 & you get 2 squares for free. read more

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I love this place. I have never gotten a sandwich from here that wasn't delicious! I also frequently get the soup of the day. My favorite soups have been the tomato bisque and what I think was spicy pumpkin coconut soup (which sounds weird but it was crazy good). I was hesitant to try their coffee drinks, but I was pleasantly surprised. They're also pretty yummy. I enjoy going to lunch here with friends because of the location and also because they have little games (that they also sell in the store) on the tables that you can play with whomever you're eating lunch with. There was a game called "Table Topics" with questions that help you get interesting conversations started. It was very enjoyable to sit outside with my friend, eat, and linger for a little while playing that game. They have a shop next to the restaurant where you can buy a variety of items including cooking utensils, special cooking sauces/mixes, cookbooks, greeting/holiday cards, chocolates, and some funny gag gift type items. It's one of my favorite places to go shopping for gifts because there's something there for everyone. You can also take cooking classes there. I haven't taken a class there yet, but I've always wanted to! read more

This place is neat, but it's not that great. The prices are pretty outrageous, to be honest. I mean, $75 for an Atlas pasta press? It's rare for Sur La Table to be less expensive, but in this case, it's true. I don't blame the folks at the Garlic Press, though, they need to charge those prices to stay in business, I'd imagine their overhead is a bit insane, the selection is neat, but it features a lot of unitaskers that I can't justify spending that much on. The deli is ok, but once again overpriced. The food isn't anything too spectacular, but it's perfectly edible and kind of tasty, just not $7 a sandwich good. It's decent, but nothing too fantastic. It's more fun to browse than to spend money there. read more

Love, love, love this place! The store is unique with great stuff and the sandwiches are amazing. Bummer my daughter is graduating and I won't be around here anymore. read more

I love to browse this store. Has all the kitchen gadgets and essentials you'd ever need. Plus all sorts of fun dishes, books, gifts, linens, toys, stationery, treats, etc. I have yet to try the cafe, but I could spend hours in the store, so it's bound to happen soon. read more

This review is just for the deli only. Upon entering this place (recommended by so many residents), I find the blackboard with all the choices of coffee and teas. Maybe I am just dumb or illiterate, but I didn't know what half the stuff meant. If you like super fancy coffee or teas with gourmet sandwiches, this is your destination. If you like a gourmet sandwich with a drink whose name 80% of america knows, please head over to Starbucks. that being said, the pesto sandwiches are delicious. read more

An employee from the Garlic Press actually chased my daughters and their friend down in another store and accused them of shoplifting Poprocks. They were made to empty their pockets. When nothing was found, she walked away without an apology. They were embarrassed and humiliated. I am sure she went back to the shop and found the candy exactly where they said they put it. The only thing they did wrong was to not put it back where they picked it up. My girls were raised with respect and morals. This woman obviously was not. She should be ashamed of her abhorrent and appalling behavior. My girls are owed an apology. read more

Cute place. Whimsical decor, friendly staff and imaginative sandwiches. A bit pricey for college campus food - $22 for lunch for 2 - 2 sandwiches, 2 pickle spears, 1 bag chips, 2 drinks. That being said, the sandwiches were good. I had turkey meatball banh mi and this was tasty - love the pickled red onion, cilantro, mint, basil, cucumber and sunflower sprouts as well as the savory meatball. However the baguette bread could have been fresher. Turkey club with guacamole on ciabatta was a large sandwich and very messy though tasty enough. Oh almost forgot there's a foodie type gift shop next door that's worth browsing around in if you have few minutes . read more

I decided to just take a peek in here this morning before heading back out of town. I love it. I've been in here for about 35 minutes, and I've heard nothing but Lucero. They sell everything a kitchen could ever need, and a lot of things it doesn't. The coffee is great, though the staff seemed a bit absent minded. The prices are a bit steep on the shop side, but the coffee shop is quite reasonable. Also, the tip jar has a drawing of Krang on it. read more

The deli is fantastic! The store is good to browze in but is pretty pricey. They do have great homeade carmels though. You can also take classes in different types of cooking and though I have not done it, I have had friends take some and they loved it. Be warned though, like all of downtown Normal, parking can be a pain in the butt! read more

Cute little specialty shop in downtown Normal. The prices are a little high for some things, but if you're looking for the special or unique gift for someone - come here! They hold cooking classes and have a whole room in the back with all the cooking gadgets you can think of! read more

The Garlic Press is, to me, what (Up/Down)town Normal is all about. It's a wonderful store with magnificent and unusual kitchen gadgets, great gifts, and an assortment of foods you don't find anywhere else in Normal. The prices are a bit higher than most places - but a few minutes in there and you don't care. The friendly & helpful staff more than make up for it. The Deli is wonderful, as well. I only wish it had better hours. Every sandwich I've gotten has been excellent. All in all, it's a wonderful shop, and I hope it stays open for a long, long time. I only wish my other favorite - Other Ports - hadn't gone out of business several years ago. read more

Really good "food of my people" here but Y U SO EXPENSIVE?? I enjoy all the vegan hippie dippie options but paying $7+ for a handful of cauliflower salad and a whisper of cilantro isn't really what my life is about, but if I get Kardashian rich I'll BRB for more of the tasty soups and salads. The shop next door is a kitchen wet dream but also the main cause of the global recession that we are still trying to bounce back from. It's a fun walk through in a "let's play house" fantasy dreamland but feels like one of those mums-on-holiday shops that you can't justify spending your whole bankroll on for no reason. TJ Maxx and Amazon here I come! read more

Love this local treasure! Fun finds, great service & quality kitchen & gift items. Always a great place to start gift shopping for others but I've been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of beautiful & unique quality jewelry, fun socks, handmade cards & gourmet chocolates too! read more

This is more about The Garlic Press customer experience. I live in Chicago, but come back to my hometown of Normal at least a dozen times in a year. Each visit home usually includes a trip to either the Garlic Press store or the cafe. The last few times I've visited the store, I've been made to feel like I am inconveniencing employees when asking pretty standard questions. For example, Garlic Press advertises gift wrap. I take advantage of this service even though there is an additional cost to me. However, on my last visit when I asked for gift wrap, the ladies at the register acted irritated and reminded me several times of the charge as if to dissuade me from wanting gift wrap. I was flat out told (by a woman with a tense look on her face) how short staffed they were and how it was just not a good time for them while she proceeded to have a conversation with her co-worker about working at Wesleyan. I can handle the message as I'm no stranger to working in a short staffed environment, but it could have been delivered so much better and if there was time for them to be talking with one another, there was probably time to wrap a gift. How about something like, "We are happy to gift wrap, but want you to know it may take a little more time today, is that okay?" Or a polite sign near the register stating that gift wrap is not available on that day instead of making their short staffing issues the customer's problem especially when a customer is charged for the service and is willing to pay. Some employees in the cafe have also had a very "can't be bothered" attitude. This has occurred when I've ask questions about features or order a hot drink they clearly don't feel like making. Again, leaving me with the impression that I've made an unreasonable request when in fact my requests are standard (unless making a vanilla latte with skim is suddenly a daunting task for a barista). Based on the quality, variety, and style of gifts and kitchenware available, the Garlic Press will most likely still be a shop I frequent, but how about making it less challenging for me to spend money in the store and cafe? Also, it is apparent that some employees require a review of customer service basics so that more customers don't get an eye roll with their latte order or a beautifully wrapped package from an employee with an irritated look on her face. Please increase customer satisfaction and the overall Garlic Press experience because I love the store and want to look forward to future visits. read more

The Garlic Press is awesome! It is my "go to" store for gifts, cards, dinnerware, cookware and utensils. They sell truly beautiful and unique things. My life is richer from all of the wonderful things I have bought over the years from them. read more

I give them credit for an adorable atmosphere, and for pulling off something original in Uptown Normal. It's not the place to take a vegetarian, though. They have very few vegetarian dishes, all of which are either very spicy or heinously bland. Their sides lack flavor. I've been there three times and ordered something different each visit.... finally decided I'm not going back. read more

Waited 30 min for them to serve a so-so nothing special Rueben. Slow service totally ruined the experience.

Love this shop! Great card & gift selection. Beautiful, unique jewelry. I took my young daughter in to browse & they had a sign posted on a small jar of plastic dogs stating to please see them at the front counter if you had previously purchased one of these items. My daughter wanted one & worried that the sign indicated a possible issue or recall of some sort I inquired what the sign was referring to. The gal at the counter said that they had been mistakenly charging too much for the plastic pups and were offering refunds to anyone who may have been affected. Talk about honest! read more

Great cooking classes, wide selection of not-mainstream home decorations. Small store, but fun shopping. Pricey, but upscale selection. Middle-age store, indeed. read more

After a nice visit with my niece at college I decided to look on Yelp for a place to eat Somethin quick I found "The Garlic Press" reviews sounded pretty good so I went. My bread seem like day-old there was no flavor to the sandwich I had some soup that had way too much salt! The little shop was nice if you want to pay for overpriced kitchen tools .The personnel were not helpfull at all they all seemed like they'd rather be somewhere else. I guess that's what you get for college students making minimum wage? read more

You should know that they have an adjacent cafe...great food...Garlic Press is a staple in B/N...just a fun place to go to find a unique gift...have them gift wrap; amazing presentation. read more

I lived here once and this store is one that never leaves my mind...wonderful selection and amazing unusual gifts... They have a great buyer with a great eye for the unusual. I would love to buy this store and stick it all on the walls of my kitchen! read more

Great local lunch place. Awesome unique sides and great desserts! The place is always busy which means you know its good! Right across from Stave the wine bar too!!!! read more

nice shop, interesting lunch counter, but like their store, it's real pricey and you're just left wondering why? There's nothing in there that's so amazing you know why you're paying the high prices. The best part of TGP is probably the classes they offer. That sets it apart. But I can't help but question the value of their offerings in the store and the cafe'. read more

Not incredibly sure how to describe this place, but my wife wanted me to stop in here so I obliged. It's like part country store/part deli/bakery. There are a ton of kitchen appliances and they sell a whole bunch of other knick knacks. I went over to the deli section while my wife was shopping and they had a good looking bakery selection. I couldn't resist so I got one of their chocolate - peanut butter brownies. I'm not going to lie - it was pretty good. There were a bunch of people eating lunch here while I devoured my brownie. It's an OK place. read more

Great cooking store, fantastic deli. If only Bloomington-Normal had four or five more places with this kind of quality and creativity, dining out would be a lot more enjoyable. read more

Ordered a soup and sandwich to go. Absolutely great. A bit pricey but very delicious. Friendly staff too