HP_020719

4 | February 7, 2019 | The highland park landmark news
hplandmark.com
Sale promotes local shops,
helps residents beat the cold
Hilary Anderson
Freelance Reporter
Tuesday, February 19
5 pm to 6:30 pm
Whitehall of Deerfield
300 Waukegan Road
FDA Approved
Most Appointments Available within 48 hours
Convenient Chicagoland Locations
847-243-6978
The holidays were over.
Winter doldrums were setting
in. Long-term storeowner
Pam Hillman had
an idea.
‘Why not have an indoor
sidewalk sale,’ she asked
her family of retailers in
downtown Highland Park.
“We all have leftover
‘orphan items’ from last
year,” said Hillman, who
owns Beanstalk Toys and
Books, Sprout Kids and
Wild Willow “We need to
clean out and get ready for
spring. Collectively we
offer unique items in our
stores. There is something
for everyone who shops
in downtown Highland
Park.”
It was to start Thursday,
Jan. 31 and continue
through Sunday, Feb. 3.
The only problem was
Father Winter forgot to
inform everyone that he
was sending a Polar Vortex
to the Midwest including
Highland Park.
The weather was frigidly
cold and many of
retailers and businesses
closed for a couple of days
because of the dangerous
temperatures.
One that remained open
on the coldest day on record
was Uncle Dan’s, according
to store manager
Kyle Peters.
“We were open part of
the day but had about 40
customers in here,” Peters
said. “Most were buying
heavy coats.”
Saturday finally saw
customers. Some came because
of the sales. Others
because of “Cabin Fever.
Many said it was for both
Caitlin Lawlor waits excitedly as her mom, Suki, buys
her a puzzle Sunday, Feb. 3, at Beanstalk Toys and
Books, which participated in the Indoor Sidewalk Sale.
Nicole Carrow/22nd Century Media
reasons.
“Sales bring people
out,” said Deerfield resident
Myrna Tyson, who
was seen at Rock N Rags
buying something for her
granddaughter.
Ross Boutique could not
have been busier.
“This indoor sale is
a great idea,” Leslie
Scramuzza said as she busily
helped customers find
items. “We have our hair
salon, own line of cosmetics
and carry salon-grade
conditioners.”
The Nic & Zoe Boutique
has its own reasons for
being unique.
“I love our customers,”
Amy Seldon said. “They
come here for comfortable
clothing, business casual,
accessories, handbags and
more.”
The store, Free People,
attracted customers, too.
“It has been good and
busy,” Dyland Timmeey
said. “We have a lot of
[women’s] cute clothing
on trend. We are community-based
and provide
an experience that shoppers
cannot get at a big,
corporate-based store.”
Beanstalk is undoubtedly
the Highland Park location
of Santa’s toyshop.
Parents and children
were there en masse. One
toddler climbed on a moving
unicorn. Another was
pulling stuffed animals out
of a doll cradle.
The store uniquely
wraps gift packages, assembles
and delivers toys
locally.
Ami Ami’s Merrie
Spade has an eye for styles
yet to come that she puts in
her store.
“I always look for
emerging designers before
they happen for the general
public,” she said.
B2’s Jan Cain was continually
busy with customers.
“This store has been
here 42 years,” she stated.
Another long-term store
attracting customers was
City Woods.
“This store has been
here for 30 years under
the same ownership,” said
Debbie Vicini, who has
worked there since 2005.
“It is like a family here.”