6 minute read
CHART A COURSE TO TRUE NORTH
Story by Ryan Searl | Photos provided by True North
This holiday season, give the gift of vintage — courtesy of Starved Rock Country’s own True North! Conveniently located on U.S. 6 in Morris, just a short drive away from Interstate 80 and Route 47, True North is a lauded destination for impeccably curated vintage, antique and oddity items.
This superstore, which first opened its doors in 2014, has expanded numerous times over the years; after a recent expansion the store now boasts more 100 vendors across 10,000 square feet of sprawling retail space. With a growing cavalcade of fans, countless awards and write-ups from some of the most prestigious vintage and antiquing magazines out there, True North has established itself as more than just a premium vintage store: It’s a tourist attraction for shoppers, offering an expansive selection of gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
“The whole idea at True North is that the entire family can come here, relax, see something cool ... just have a unique experience and still feel no pressure to buy anything. There’s really something for everybody to do, for all ages,” says Stacey Olson, the owner and visionary behind True North.
The layout of True North is a fusion of the classic antique mall formula mixed with the curatorial eye of modern pop-up shopping experiences. Each vendor space is uniquely themed and designed, with the merchandise often informing the aesthetic. These shops-within-a-shop reward repeat trips, as their stock is constantly being updated. In the newest wing of the store, you’ll find Instagram-worthy windowed vendor rooms, fully decorated and themed for the holidays, packed with plenty of seasonal decor and gift items. “We can’t wait to see what our vendors do with these spaces come Christmastime,” Olson says.
TRUE NORTH
539 Bedford Road, Morris 815-705-0161 www.shoptruenorth.com
CHART A COURSE TRUE NORTH
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True North specializes in what are called smalls, a term you may have picked up if you’re a fan of History Channel’s “American Pickers.” This subcategory of vintage pieces favors the eclectic and compact over the large and sober pieces many think of when they first hear the word “antiques.” These inexpensive, highly collectible, conversation pieces are rapidly becoming the hottest things in the world of vintage, and they just so happen to be True North’s forte.
“We don’t have huge 12x12 booths filled with tables — we have small booths filled with tons of exciting smalls. … On any given day we’re selling hundreds of items,” notes Olson. “It comes as a surprise to a lot of people, but the average cost of an item at True North is just $5.”
If you’re a fan of vintage clothing, you should start planning your trip ASAP. True North has always been known for old-school apparel, but they now feature a staggering 1,000-plus square feet of recycled clothing. The selection has also grown to include vintage children’s clothing, so the style and philosophy of upcycling can now extend to your children’s wardrobe.
“Not only do we have cool jean jackets, patches and pins, flannels and recycled T-shirts, we also have recycled kids clothes,” Olson says. “We know that parents don’t want to spend a ton of clothes for quickly growing kids, so why not wear something that’s gently worn in like-new condition?”
True North knows big shopping trips with kids can be challenging, especially when you’re planning on spending an hour or two in a sprawling shop like theirs. To keep the little ones entertained, True North has added a “Little Movie Theater” complete with vintage seats. This minicinema always has age-appropriate films playing for kids, We would be honored to host your upcoming party or special event and create an exceptional experience for you and your guests from start to finish! We have a large selection of food and beverage packages to suit your needs and spaces available for any type of event: holiday party, private party, corporate event, wedding shower, baby shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and any other party you’re throwing!
Please visit our website www.TheLoneBuffalo.com and fill out the Private Dining form to contact our event manager and receive more information!
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giving you some much-needed time to explore the store.
The shop has also doubled the size of its existing arcade area, adding classic games like Centipede, Galaga and Asteroids, sure to appeal to kids and kids at heart.
“Our average customer used to be in here for an hour. We’re now seeing that the average time spent in True North is about an hour and half or two hours. It’s the type of place where people can just sit down and have some fun,” Olson says.
If you’ve been to True North before, the store will feel at once familiar and brand-new. So, whether you’re a card-carrying member of the fan club or just a novice vintage shopper scouting for your next destination, look no further than one of the most exciting stores in Starved Rock Country. C S R
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
True North is kicking off the holiday shopping season with a series of exciting events! Here’s what’s on the schedule: n Nov. 20-23: True North will be hosting the annual
Turkey Feather Hunt event. “Tom the Turkey” will wander around the store nightly, hiding 50 feathers.
While you shop, search for the turkey feathers around the store, then turn in a found feather to win prizes, cash, discounts or deals. n Dec. 16-18: Discover complimentary gift wrapping!
The staff at True North will wrap anything within reason that’s purchased during this limited time event. If it fits in a gift bag, they’ll make it festive with red tissue paper, a bow and gift tag. If it doesn’t fit in a gift bag, the folks at True North will wrap it up for you at no extra charge. Looking to bundle some items? You can also put together a gift basket, and they will wrap that as well.
