IndyCindy Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Future travels may be taking me to the Windy City. Can anyone recommend brick and mortar miniature shops in the area? Ones in the suburbs would be ideal. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minilover62 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Lollys in Elgin http://swdstudios.com/lollys/shop.htm Oakridge was big, but now is basically online, very few stuff on their physical store https://www.oakridgehobbies.com In Milwaukee, the last brick and mortar has tons of stuff, I go there all the time and is still full of stuff, old and new, very friendly staff (1.5 hours from downtown Chicago) http://www.rosesdollhouse.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SewMini Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Oak ridge is definitely off my list. They have virtually nothing now in the store and what they did have seemed like really old stock. Lollys is the only place I know of in the Chicagoland area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minilover62 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 39 minutes ago, SewMini said: Oak ridge is definitely off my list. They have virtually nothing now in the store and what they did have seemed like really old stock. Lollys is the only place I know of in the Chicagoland area. I have been planning to go to Lollys for a long time now, but no chance yet. I hope I can make it before it closes like all the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniaddicted Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 12 hours ago, minilover62 said: Lollys in Elgin http://swdstudios.com/lollys/shop.htm Oakridge was big, but now is basically online, very few stuff on their physical store https://www.oakridgehobbies.com In Milwaukee, the last brick and mortar has tons of stuff, I go there all the time and is still full of stuff, old and new, very friendly staff (1.5 hours from downtown Chicago) http://www.rosesdollhouse.com I too have been to Roses, have made it an annual adventure even though I live in Chicago area. I haven't experienced the "very friendly staff" in a few years, maybe things have changed. Not that they were unfriendly but watched me like a hawk, which, if I'm going to spend a few hours and several hundred $$ seems to send the wrong signals. So I now immediately introduce myself and try to create rapport. Lots of stuff, and a wide range of price points- inexpensive and high end. Lollys is my go-to, but as the miniatures hobby is not as hot as it was 8 years ago, she (Janet) has shifted her inventory, so not much in the way of Bespaq, but she has a lumber inventory. Interesting to see this change, sad though for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keifer Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 There is a place in Niles too but I can’t think of the name...kinda hard to find. They had a decent amount of stuff but I’m can’t compare to Lolly’s since I’ve never been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 1 hour ago, Keifer said: There is a place in Niles too but I can’t think of the name...kinda hard to find. They had a decent amount of stuff but I’m can’t compare to Lolly’s since I’ve never been. Tom Thumb Crafts Their website looks promising 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keifer Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Thats it...thx Kathie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minilover62 Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 17 hours ago, miniaddicted said: I too have been to Roses, have made it an annual adventure even though I live in Chicago area. I haven't experienced the "very friendly staff" in a few years, maybe things have changed. Not that they were unfriendly but watched me like a hawk, which, if I'm going to spend a few hours and several hundred $$ seems to send the wrong signals. So I now immediately introduce myself and try to create rapport. Lots of stuff, and a wide range of price points- inexpensive and high end. Maybe since I go over there often, they know me by my name and some kind of trust have been built. Elaine is very nice, and Kathie is much better lately, after she took care of some health problems, so hopefully the next time that you go, you will enjoy better your visit!. What I don't like much is the fact that the store is in a locked basement (if anybody has problems with stairs or is claustrophobic then you can't go there, no windows or elevator). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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