Retail Therapy Rides &

Shop the Fox –from West Dundee to Oswego

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

They say it’s not the destination, but with the delightful communities located along the Fox River Trail one can’t help but stop and shop at creative and fun boutiques.

The Batavia Boardwalk Shops are open May 12 through Dec. 17.

In West Dundee, check out The Half Full Nest Vintage Market where Sleepy Hollow resident Angelike Ajroja’s love for art, home décor and antiques come together in a delightful shop that is housed in a former church.

“As a local resident of 25 years, the building always intrigued me,” Ajroja said. “When I was looking for a location for the shop, all it took was one peek through the front door side windows and I felt in love. We worked diligently for five months making renovations to restore the building to its original, historic beauty.”

She opened the business in 2019 and since then, shoppers have enjoyed hunting among her treasures that include antiques, vintage items and new pieces from the collection of dealers and artisans. The shop carries a wide assortment from statement pieces to perfect gifts for friends and family.

There’s plenty to explore along the trail, so put a basket on your bike, and here are a few more great destinations to check out.

Algonquin

This charming boutique is a great place to find a cute top, stylish jeans and accessories. Piece together an entire look or find something to compliment your wardrobe at Maggie’s On Main, 102 S. Main St., Algonquin

And before you leave the downtown Algonquin shopping district, check out Heavenly Attic Resale Shop, 307 S. Main St., open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spending a few dollars here will help support those in need and you just may find your own treasure.

Elgin

Along with fun shopping at Meraki Market Hub, 66 S. Grove Ave., there is a coffee bar located inside this location that houses more than 6,000 square feet of retail space featuring handmade items, clothing, antiques and home décor, to name a few of the favorites. The name Meraki comes from modern Greek, meaning to leave a piece of yourself in your work, or the idea of loving what you do so much you put yourself into your work.

Another must-stop in downtown Elgin is Rediscover Records, 9 S. Spring St., which carries new release to classics in almost every music genre. Housed in a building that dates back to 1885, find albums that will remind you of a different era, or hear your favorite artists of the day on vinyl.

Batavia

One can spend an entire day shopping and dining in the TriCities of St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia but if you’re riding in the area Friday through Sunday, make plans to stop and visit the Batavia Boardwalk Shops, 114 E. Wilson St., open May 12 through Dec. 17. These small shops have become a big attraction, as merchants take up residence in this incubator site to test the market and gain retail experiences with community support. This year, nine new merchants will be moving into the shops with a 10th shop to house rotating vendors each weekend, explained Kristen Desler, assistant director for the Batavia MainStreet.

Through the years, many of the shops that started at the Batavia Boardwalk Shops have used their experiences to launch their business into brick and mortar locations across the community, so find alumni of this shopping area in and around the TriCities.