HOLLY JOLLY SHOPPING

HOLLY JOLLY

Shopping

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’Tis the season to shop local at these 8 Kendall County stores

For a quarter century, Oswego’s holiday season hasn’t been complete without a tree — in this case, the shop known as The Marmalade Tree.

And for the past few seasons, Barb Tews has been in charge of doling out The Marmalade Tree’s bit of festive magic each holiday season. “It’s just such a special, wonderful place, and I’ve always loved shopping here,” says Tews. Three years ago, when Tews heard the shop

By Jonathan Bilyk | Photos provided

might close, she decided the season had arrived for her to transition from a long career as a teacher to become the owner of one of Kendall County’s longtime local retail destinations. The store features clothing, purses, jewelry and other accessories, along with home decor items, both for the holidays and all other seasons.

“Small, local stores offer better customer service and are generally owned by local families, which

means you can find many unique gifts, and the money isn’t going to a big corporate entity,” says Angie Hibben, president and CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce.

All across Kendall County, a wide assortment of local shops will dish out heaping helpings of cheer and gift ideas for every Santa making a list and checking it twice. Located in the heart of downtown Oswego at 79 Main St., The Marmalade Tree welcomes guests year-round but takes on a more regal sheen each autumn, when the store transforms into a holiday wonderland for that most festive of seasons.

This year is no different, says Tews, nodding to the store’s Yuletide decor and garb. “The holiday season is when we pay the bills,” says Tews. “We’re praying for another good Christmas season, and inviting everyone to come down and check us out this year.” Shops in Oswego, Yorkville, Plano and elsewhere will again beckon those seeking the perfect gifts for everyone on their list. And even for those truly difficult people on a holiday shopping list, Hibben says local business organizations, like the Oswego Downtown Association, offer gift certificates that are accepted by many local stores. In Oswego, those certificates can be purchased at the Oswego Chamber of Commerce office.

Here is a sampling of just a few of the magical holiday shopping options offered in the region:

OSWEGO  Hudson Design House, 76 Main St. Just down the street from The Marmalade Tree in downtown Oswego, the Hudson Design House offers shoppers what it calls a “curated lifestyle boutique,” featuring

69 W. Washington St / Rt 34 Oswego, IL 60543 (630) 554-9339 Merry Christmas!

Ed Hettinger Owner YOUR FRIENDS

Matt Hettinger Sales IN THE

CAR

NOW IN OUR 15th YEAR BUSINESS

Ed and Matt invite you to stop by and see how over 50 years combined experience can make your purchase truly pleasant. We are currently celebrating our 15th year serving the Fox Valley area.

We specialize in vehicles under $10,000 - many in the $4,000$8,000 range. All have been safety checked, serviced and should give you years of driving pleasure as a student, family, work or second vehicle. If you don’t see what you are looking for in our Downtown inventory regardless of the year, we will find that special vehicle by the for you. railroad

We truly appreciate the many loyal customers and referrals tracks! we have had over the last 15 years. Make your next vehicle purchase from us and we will exceed your expectations.

Also visit our website at www.HettsAutoSales.com

PAINTING (630) 554-9374 Est. 1989 Quality Painting You Can Count On Commercial • Residential • Interior • Exterior Fully Insured • Locally Owned • Skilled Trained Painters Welcome in Your Holidays w ith a Fresh Coat of Paint for your Home’s Interior! Call Mike at (630) 554-9374 t he br us hw or ks pa in ti n gc om pa ny.n et

THE BRUSH WOR KS 10% OF F A LL IN TERIOR WORK PLEASE PRESENT COUPON WHEN PLACING ORDER Limit one coupon per order

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“timeless furniture, home decor, women’s clothing and accessories, gifts, unique vintage finds, and specialty goods from local artisans.” The store participated in Oswego’s Holiday Open House Weekend on Nov. 5-8, filled with an assortment of new holiday merchandise.

 Velvet Grace, 4025 U.S. Route 34 This boutique shopping destination offers “eye-catching, frequently changing displays and products,” including pillows, throws, wall art, frames, vases, furniture, candles, women’s clothing, jewelry and more — like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, which can be used to put a unique, new finish on existing furniture, cabinets and more.

 Fox Valley Winery, 5600 U.S. Route 34 One of Illinois’ premier boutique wineries, Fox Valley Winery offers gift-seekers the opportunity to knock the Christmas socks off party hosts, friends and goofy relations alike with the perfect bottle of wine, complete with a personalized label or as part of a custom gift basket. And while there, gift-seekers can partake in a bit of merrymaking as well, sampling the vintage for themselves in the Fox Valley Winery’s tasting room.

YORKVILLE  Flight Tasting Room & Bottle Shoppe, 508 Center Parkway Got anyone on the shopping list who might enjoy craft beer? How about an assortment of liquors, wine and mead, culled from distributors and makers in the region and around the world? Then a stop at Flight should be on the to-do list this holiday season.

 Duy’s Shoes, 135 E. Veterans Parkway Since 1954, Duy’s Shoes has offered visitors a collection of boots, shoes and sandals for just about any profession or athletic activity, complete with “old-fashioned personal service.”

 Vintage 71 Shops, 10711 Route 71 If vintage is on the holiday list – not involving actual wine — then a stop at Vintage 71 should also be on the agenda before the jolly man in the red suit takes flight. Vintage 71 offers a collection of “vintage retro” items, including “salvaged and repurposed items” for the home and garden, on consignment from many local artisans. The shops’ assortment of eclectic treasures also includes clothing, jewelry and other accessories.

PLANO  Cooper Home Furnishings, 112 W. Main St. Since 1886, this family-owned local gem has offered custom furniture, yes, but also a large assortment of other home furnishings and accessories that could make the perfect gift for just about anyone on your list, no matter where they call home.

Mer r y & Br i gh

Santa may need to reroute this year as the Schroeder family contemplates an unusual Christmas

By Hannah Hoffmeister Photos by Wendy Greenslade, Locked In Photography

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Like most families, the Schroeder family is considering how the holidays may change this year. The goal, Brigette Schroeder says, is to keep some parts — food, traditions, etc. — the same for the Yorkville family of four. “Everything is different, so we’re just trying to make the holidays as normal as we can,” she says. She and her husband, Mike, have two daughters, London, 8, and Millie, 7. Their adoption was finalized this February after almost six years as the couple’s foster daughters. “They look a lot alike,” Schroeder says of her girls. “Every time we’re out, we get told they’re beautiful, (and) we get asked if they’re twins.” London, in second grade, likes gymnastics

and cheer; she “excels in school…and is kind of wise for her years,” Schroeder says. Millie, in first grade, is carefree and a “girly girl” who loves animals and dance, she says. “They’ve very different in the aspect of London is more motherly and more reserved, and Millie is definitely more outgoing, a social butterfly, always smiling,” she says, adding the girls are “very connected, very bonded.” Holiday traditions in the Schroeder household include a lunch and shopping at the American Girl Store downtown, the Breakfast with Santa event at Whitetail Ridge Golf Club and several trips to see Christmas lights — Phillips Park in Aurora, Larsen’s Christmas Lights in Elburn and Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, among the favorites. “We pack our candy canes and our hot cocoa, and they get in their pajamas,” says Schroeder. Both girls want new American Girl Dolls for Christmas. Millie, who likes braiding and styling hair, wants hair styling accessories for her dolls. London, who likes to bake cookies, is hoping for an Easy-Bake Oven. Brigette, Mike, London and Millie go to Brigette’s parents’ house every year to celebrate the holidays, joined by Brigette’s sister, Jennifer, and her family. The family is still figuring out whether they’ll be able to do the same this year — which means Rudolph may have to reroute from his usual trip to the girls’ grandparents’ house. “That’s where Santa always goes,” Schroeder says. “This may be the first year Santa figures out how to get to our house.”