I recently returned from a trip to the Galleria in the Andersonville neighborhood. If you live in the Chicago/Chicagoland area (or you're visiting) I truly cannot recommend this place strongly enough.
Someone described it on yelp as "etsy.com in but in a real life shop" and she is SO RIGHT. It is four levels of retail space that houses tons of mini shops inside. There's handmade art, clothing, soaps, jewelry, ceramics, furniture, candies, and tons of other goodies for sale.
You can check out the website here: www.andersonvillegalleria.com and there's a photo below that gives you a little idea of some of the things on sale...
I bought a generous bar of the most delicious smelling, organic vegetable fair trade soap for $4.00. I found a beautiful handmade necklace for $9.00. I spent an hour and forty minutes browsing all of the different goods, and I easily could have spent another hour.
I am a big fan of shopping small. Many of the people who sell their art/wares/gourmet goodies at the galleria make their living doing so, and how cool is it that I can help support that? I think it's pretty freaking fantastic that I have the power to help a family make their living by choosing to dine at local family owned restaurants rather than chain diners, or help a talented local jewelry maker pay her rent by purchasing a gorgeous, one of a kind piece from her collection, rather than something I find at a big chain retailer.
I love Target as much as the next girl, but lately I've been trying harder than ever to spend money when I can to support the local family owned businesses/artisans. These people need our dollars and they appreciate our dollars way more than Target ever will. Shopping small helps support people just like you and me; families just like yours and mine, and I'm all for that!
I urge you to shop small next time you have a little cash to spend; you might love it as much as I do! :)
Emme
Someone described it on yelp as "etsy.com in but in a real life shop" and she is SO RIGHT. It is four levels of retail space that houses tons of mini shops inside. There's handmade art, clothing, soaps, jewelry, ceramics, furniture, candies, and tons of other goodies for sale.
You can check out the website here: www.andersonvillegalleria.com and there's a photo below that gives you a little idea of some of the things on sale...
I bought a generous bar of the most delicious smelling, organic vegetable fair trade soap for $4.00. I found a beautiful handmade necklace for $9.00. I spent an hour and forty minutes browsing all of the different goods, and I easily could have spent another hour.
I am a big fan of shopping small. Many of the people who sell their art/wares/gourmet goodies at the galleria make their living doing so, and how cool is it that I can help support that? I think it's pretty freaking fantastic that I have the power to help a family make their living by choosing to dine at local family owned restaurants rather than chain diners, or help a talented local jewelry maker pay her rent by purchasing a gorgeous, one of a kind piece from her collection, rather than something I find at a big chain retailer.
I love Target as much as the next girl, but lately I've been trying harder than ever to spend money when I can to support the local family owned businesses/artisans. These people need our dollars and they appreciate our dollars way more than Target ever will. Shopping small helps support people just like you and me; families just like yours and mine, and I'm all for that!
I urge you to shop small next time you have a little cash to spend; you might love it as much as I do! :)
Emme
So much fun! And I agree with the shopping locally- it's so true!
ReplyDeleteYou and Cher should come in for a visit together; a sister's visit. We can go to the Galleria! xoxoxo. See you soon for wedding dress shopping! Can't wait!
ReplyDelete