A Vintage Christmas

by Randy Weckerly

Geneva, IL

State Street and 3rd Street in Geneva, Illinois is your stop this holiday season if you want to put your shopping anxieties and online moments behind you. It might be the year to shop local and give thanks to your hometown entrepreneurs who have made it through the pandemic and are now ready to serve you.

While talking with many of the store owners in the past thirty days, I unexpectedly felt joyous that this could be a throwback moment to my childhood experiences. With container ships sitting offshore, it might be time we look for “local shopping moments” which could be a very real aspect of gift giving this year.

I am a self-diagnosed, self-confessed and proud Baby Boomer, having grown up in the 1950’s during major cultural and technological developments. We had our phone installed in 1954, a new GE refrigerator the same year, and our first 13 inch black and white TV brought into the house, with one channel mind you, and available programming for about five hours per day. We upgraded to a new grade school in the Fall of 1955 in Freeport, Illinois as the boomer and suburban expansion was in full force.

Why the history? The memories are plentiful. We celebrated with large extended families in our hometown during the holidays, on both sides. Too many cousins to count, but the Weckerly’s insisted that everyone received a gift from everyone during our celebration on Christmas Day. We did take pillow cases to bring our treasures home.

A humble family, as I look back, but rich in love. As we gathered on Christmas Day, in a small “Leave it to Beaver” house, but full of family, turkey and dressing, collaborative aunts cooking and cleaning, while three uncles could be found taking a nap on one bed late in the afternoon after consuming way too much food and drink.

I reflect on this time era, as we had no shopping centers, no Amazon, no online, just our magnificent downtown full of neighbors, friends, and plentiful stores. I worked hard all year to save money for Christmas shopping as I grew older. As I shopped in Freeport, I remember going from Ringer Jewelers and visiting with Harold the owner when buying a special present for my mother. Harold was a joy and friend. Sol Levy’s Men’s Shop, E & W Clothing, and the Magic Shop for my brother. These store owners became family to most of the Freeport community.

Here’s my point. I visited with Freeport’s owners from year to year as I grew up. I believed in Santa then, as I do now, but maybe more joyous in anticipation of Christmas Eve as a child then now. But the owners knew us. They knew our relatives and they knew our needs. They were the heart and souls of the Freeport Shopping Experience.

In the past couple of years in getting to know the entrepreneurs of Geneva, Illinois, I realized in 2020-2021, Geneva is rich with a prideful and self-reliant group of business owners.

I also remember my first Christmas Holiday experience in the 1980s bringing my young sons to Geneva for the caroling, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts and looking at the lights walking through State and 3rd St. stores in Geneva as my sons grew older.

This year, I thought it might be interesting to share with you some of insights I have learned about a few Geneva business owners. I realized I should share with you only their first names, the same as I know them. And when you visit their stores this year, just remember to use their first name, as they all are generally onsite as you shop or dine in Geneva this Holiday Season. These entrepreneurs would enjoy you just calling them by their first name as you drop by, in the same manner I experienced growing up in Freeport. To give you some things I have learned along the way here in Geneva:

Anthony of “Osteria Bigolaro”: Anthony became a classically trained Chef at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago, IL. At LCB he studied classic French cuisine and later had the opportunity to travel to Italy to study his favorite cuisine, Italian. When returning home, Anthony worked in local restaurants gaining experience. As years went on Anthony's love for authentic Italian cuisine grew and focusing on the craft of making handmade pastas. That is what led him to open “Osteria Bigolaro”. An osteria is a casual and inexpensive restaurant found in Italy and a bigolaro is a vintage pasta extruder that originated in northern Italy. It was the perfect name for Anthony's vision. “Osteria Bigolaro” will focus on the art of handcrafted pastas and homemade bread along with great wine.

Noe of “State Street Diner”: A classic diner/ restaurant where the occasional hometown movie stars bring their family. A fixture in the Geneva fabric and only open until 2:00 PM each day, you will find daily specials on a chalk board in the center of the diner and a New York actor or actress sitting at the lunch counter on occasion. It actually happened to me, with Jenny McCarthey working on her show at the lunch counter as I was enjoying a bowl of soup.

Mike and Becky of “Stockholm Restaurant and Brewery”: Two of the nicest people on the planet and both the Heart and Soul of their business and community. Fun Fact…Mike only drinks decaf coffee…maybe why he brews beer.

Krysta and Jeff of “Pug & Hound”: Both are Vet-Techs and recently got married in the past 30 days. Passionate in their care and understanding of dogs and cats, they even offer home delivery. To find out what a Pet Apothecary is, was a bonus of my time spent visiting their store.

Dori of “Bell Jar Vintage”: Dori is a delight in getting to know. If you want to pick up the collectible you need for a gift or for yourself, this is the store. Let your imagination run wild, take your kids in to shop, and simply have a great visit with Dori. She is the consummate entrepreneur and has filled her shop with a love and knowledge of items from yesteryear. I believe this could be your highlight stop of the season.

Vasil of “Geneva Diner”: If you have a moment, take time to talk with Vasil. His story in coming to America from Albania is one that will bring tears to one’s eyes. Family left behind or worse, begins his story of crossing the border to Greece and finding a way to America. His story I will leave for another time, but understand, his passion for being in the Geneva Community for over twenty years shines through his learned eyes. Take a moment to say Hi to Vasil, or “Bill” as most know him.

Chris of "Old Towne Pub and Eatery": Grace under fire is how I experienced Chris's ability to handle guests, answer the phone, take reservations, online orders, talk with reps and clean tables. It's amazing watch one man get so much done with such style. Great food, warm and charming atmosphere and one of the hardest working men in the community. This is a must stop during the holidays to just a enjoy some great food. This is just a short nugget of who I met along way. I hope to bring more of the stories from the riches of Geneva’s shopping and dining district in future vignettes.

From downtown Chicago, Geneva is an easy 60minute Metra Ride which stops at the south end of 3rd Street.

In the end, it is people who make your Holiday’s rich, albeit family, friends or business owners. I am joyous in a sense that shopping locally could be a blessing of riches in experience for many who venture to Geneva, Illinois this season. Cheers.