week twenty-six 2025

Let’s start the week in review with some new products!

The Chicago Neighborhoods creates neighborhood posters inspired by the WPA Tourism Posters of the 1930-40’s. We regularly stock Albany Park, Ravenswood Manor, North Park, Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. We added the Chicago Travel Decal Map design, which is amazing like all Steve’s work. Stop in and see for yourself. 

We got in some new Chicago stickers last week too. Lettering Works has been a vendor of ours since almost the beginning of the shop opening. The majority of our Chicago stickers and a good portion of our Chicago postcards are Chelsie's creations. New to her line is a mini Chicago mix popcorn sticker, a Chicago martini, Chi-town, Italian Beef and Chicago Pope. We also added Jiberito and Wrigley Field stickers. And of course a restock of everyone’s favorite - the Chicago Handshake.

Last week we hosted Miko’s Italian Ice for Flavors of Albany Park. It was a great night filled with a couple hundred new faces. Thanks to everyone who shared our space and Italian Ice with us that night. And a special thanks to Myriam from Him + Her Vintage handing out Italian Ice all night. Afterward, Mr. Favorite, Myriam and I headed to the after party at Templestowe Pub, I got a chance to talk with fellow biz owners Andrew from Something Sweet Donuts and Karl from Twisted Hippo Brewing. As business owners we rarely get the chance to just hang out together. Everyone is so busy juggling business and family and life. It was a treat to relax and chat over a cold drink.

I spent all day Saturday applying barcodes to four of the 12 wholesale orders for a BIG retailer. All twelve orders ship next Monday. I'm aiming to have them all boxed up and UPS labels printed by Thursday end of day since Friday is a holiday. The goal is to have the weekend free to spend with family and friends. Wish me luck! I'm sure you all are ready to move on from these order updates too.

Don’t forget! Our Letter Writing Meet Up is this Thursday, July 3rd from 5-7pm. Join us and fellow snail mail enthusiasts in our space and share the magic of snail mail. Test out our pens, maybe use a vintage typewriter, decorate your letter with washi tape, we’ll even supply the postage. Stay for a couple minutes or spend the entire two hours writing, whatever works for you. Feel free to bring a drink. You can shop our stationery, bring your own or both. Our Letter Writing Meet Ups are a part of our mission to encourage long distance warm fuzzies through snail mail. Hope to see you there!

We’ll be closed on Friday for the July Fourth holiday. I hope you all have a Happy and Safe weekend!

Random, randomness...
• I listened to The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I’m starting to think I don’t really love WWII, historical fiction. The book's characters are interesting. The story was an epic tale of surviving, family both blood and chosen and helping others during a horrible time. It was heroic and inspiring but also tragic, filled with crimes against humanity. All very heartbreaking and not sure I’m in the right mindset for war novels and dictators right now. It's a beautiful story and a wonderful book but again, not sure it's for me. 
• I spent a couple hours with my friend Myriam at her beautiful event space. She has some amazing glassware, florals and vintage treasures she's ready to sell, as well as her handcrafted teas. We brainstormed how to best use the space for retail while keeping the event space set up for showcasing to potential customers. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon. Give her a follow! And stop by her newly opened retail space.
• Tom and I spent some time in our lil above ground pool, floating around and trying to stay cool in the ridiculous heat. It was a pretty low-key weekend and we made the most of having some downtime.