Edie Boutique and Marigold
27 and 29 S. Prospect Ave.
ShopEdie.com
Owner: Amy DeGrazio

What are you most proud of at your stores?
“From a business standpoint, I’m most proud that we continue to grow, not only with expanding Edie and Marigold into other communities, but with continuing to push ourselves to be bigger, better, be different and more creative with our displays year over year.”

Unique holiday finds
There is never a shortage of eye-catching items and displays in either store, but the cute mitten tree caught our attention right away on a recent visit. It holds dozens of options to keep your fingers toasty warm (and fashionable) this winter. There’s also an ornament tree worth checking out to get your Christmas tree looking just perfect this holiday season.

There’s also a table display at the front of Edie with bright pink, red and green seasonal clothing items like sweaters, sweatshirts and hats adorning the words Merry, Ho Ho Ho, Cheer or Falala. Even a cute sweater with a trio of Nutcrackers across the front.

In our dressed-down era, these sweaters are still a way to be festive. And everyone can wear them at any age or size. They fit perfectly into everyday life.”

“These sweaters are super on trend right now,” Amy says. “People like to be cozy and cute this time of year. This is not an ugly Christmas sweater you’d wear to a pub crawl. In our dressed-down era, it’s still a way to be festive. And everyone can wear them at any age or size. They fit perfectly into everyday life.”

A new favorite item
Edie has a variety of fuzzy bouclé bomber jackets that are flying off the shelves. Stylish enough to wear out on the town or casually running errands with the family, they’re also an ideal six-month coat for battling the uncertainties of an Illinois winter and spring.

2 Sisters Boutique A&L and Brother J’s
33 S. Prospect Ave.
Shop2SistersPR.com
Owner: Natalie Amabile

What you’re most proud of with your store?
“I would say the personality of the staff. Truly, it’s such a friendly and helpful bunch of women we have here who love what they do. We pride ourselves on being inviting and unique every time you come in the store. We get shipped new and exciting merchandise multiple times a week, so it’s never the same store twice. No matter your style, we can find something that you’ll love that will give your wardrobe a boost.”

2 Sisters has the exclusive area rights to the Free People brand, and it has become a favorite of the staff and clientele. The brand is trendy and a little edgy, and the colorful sweaters, coats, tops and bottoms appeal to all ages.

Unique holiday finds
The Patchology skincare brand — which produces restoring night eye gels, face masks, hydrating lip masks, etc. — is all the rage right now. 2 Sisters also has a wide assortment of soft flannel pajamas, scarves and gloves to round out the stocking-stuffer list. Don’t forget the warm and toasty winter hats up front in the display window that are both stylish and functional to take on the worst of Chicago’s weather.

A new favorite item
2 Sisters has the exclusive area rights to the Free People brand, and it has become a favorite of the staff and clientele. The brand is trendy and a little edgy, and the colorful sweaters, coats, tops and bottoms appeal to all ages. “It’s a consistent seller for us, and people get excited when we rotate in some new items from them,” says Natalie. Don’t forget about the Brother J’s men’s section, too, where they have some great sweaters and plaid shirts for winter.

Raffia Gifts
13 S. Prospect Avenue
RaffiaGifts.com
Owner: Emily Larson

What are you most proud of at your store?
“That our customers truly enjoy shopping here and often say that our unique merchandise and personal touch is what brings them back.”

Unique holiday finds
The Glasshouse brand is all the rage, offering candles and fragrances (think scent stems, perfumes, etc.) in a variety of lovely seasonal scents. And Thymes candles, soaps, lotions and diffusers are always popular gift items. Raffia currently has Frasier Fir, Gingerbread and Highland Frost (described as a combination of faded sage, frosted eucalyptus and glistening Cyprus needles) candles in stock from Thymes.

The Jan Barboglio collection of meaningful keepsake pieces with attached blessings are really popular and serve as a beautiful gifts for anniversaries, weddings, housewarming, etc.

A new favorite item
The unique Jan Barboglio collection of meaningful keepsake pieces with attached blessings are really popular and serve as a beautiful gifts for anniversaries, weddings, housewarming, etc. Described as “aesthetically warm, primitively handsome home decor,” Raffia carries everything from Barboglio decorative tabletop items and glassware to figurines and frames — all of which are made from natural elements.

Sooo Cute Boutique
7 S. Prospect Ave.
SoooCuteBoutique.com
Owner: Vania Ignatov

What are you most proud of at your store?
“The amount of wonderful people and friends that I’ve met in the last four years. It has nothing to do with merchandise. It’s all about connections and the friendships. I’d say about 80 percent of my clients are repeat customers. There’s rarely a person who walks in who I have not seen before, and that means a lot to me.”

Particularly eye-catching is Sooo Cute’s selection of jewelry and quilted mini bags that serve as easy, smaller gifts, even for those who tend to be difficult to buy for.

Unique holiday finds
Sooo Cute has plenty of cute and trendy clothes that are perfect for the season, but particularly eye-catching is the selection of jewelry and quilted mini bags that serve as easy, smaller gifts, even for those who tend to be difficult to buy for. The bags are ideal for women on the go and can casually finish any look you’re going for. “And we all know the phrase, ‘I have enough jewelry, said no woman ever,’” Vania says with a smile. “It never hurts to look for the perfect accessories, and we have tons of necklaces and earrings and a growing number of bracelets.”

A new favorite item
One item that’s really gotten a lot of attention in Sooo Cute is the mid-length puffer vests with zippers. They’re a great fit for three seasons, especially with Chicago’s always-changing weather patterns. Another item that caught our eye navy and white teddy plaid bouclé coat that’s toasty warm.