Best Gift Shops For Mother's Day In Chicago
She's probably the only person on the planet who will never tap the "decline" option when you call her, and for that alone Mom deserves a special little gift for her unconditional phone acceptance. That and the fact that she walked through the valley of the shadow of death for you to be here and get those phone calls. Here are some sweet local shops where you can find a gift as distinctive as Mom.
Frill
1747 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 342-8900
www.frillaccessories.com
Frill is an "accessories boutique" stocking items from the funky to super sparkly. Statement necklaces? Frill has the motherlode. Au courant floppy hat? Pick one that she probably just saw in a fashion magazine. Jewelry, handbags, hats and scarves fill Frill. You can also find Frill in LaGrange and Lincoln Square, so be the smart kid raised and shop the shop closest to your crib.
Inkling
2917 1/2 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 248-8004
wwwtheinklingshop.com
If anyone appreciates the lost arts - exercising to a Jane Fonda VHS to playing a Trivial Pursuit board game - it's Mother. Ditto writing letters on actual paper that's not only functional but beautiful. Inkling, in Lakeview East, features greeting and note cards and stationery created by independent designers and printed by small presses. You might not stop there when you eye artist made jewelry and the "Build Your Own Terrarium" bar where you can choose small plants and objects to create a truly one-of-a-kind gift for Mom - just like she created a one-of-a-kind you!
One Strange Bird
2124 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-4420
www.onestrangebird.com
You know this description has come to mind at least once about each other. If Mom can be a strange bird, she'll like the gift you get her from this Division St. shop: interesting art, handmade gifts, cool pieces of apparel and accessories; paper goods; as well as bath and body products made not by a Chinese factory but rather by home grown artists. You can even purchase a gift card for Mom to take a class in painting, drawing, mixed media, print or jewelry making or crafts from hand dying a scarf to putting together terrariums.
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Mary Mary
706 N. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 654-8100
www.marymarygifts.com
If you work in the heart of the city, Mary Mary is an easy place to shop for Mommy Mommy. The Gold Coast boutique, ensconced in a historic brownstone building, displays a cornucopia of accessories and home decor from crystal chandeliers to chandelier earrings and metal sculpture to fun kitchenware - the definition of "eclectic."
Hardscrabble Gifts
3333 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60608
773-696-9574
www.hardscrabblegifts.com
Has Mom made the retirement trek to Florida or Arizona for a lifetime of humidity or dry heat and endless snowbird visitors? Get her a special Chicago themed gift from Hardscrabble Gifts. These aren't the de rigeur tchochke items tourists tote back home from cheesy shops downtown, but rather artist designed cool pieces: a cheese plate donning a Chicago flag design; White Sox/35 Red Line tee shirt; and Chicago-centric designs on everything from shot glasses to jewelry. In addition, the shop stocks a ton of recycled, fair trade, personalized, customized and locally made gifts.
Related: Best Locally Made Beauty Products In Chicago
Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
