The Season of Gifting

Tis’ the season of giving, holiday shopping and shopping small. With a bounty of small business owners, Kankakee County is a one stop shop for all your gift giving needs!

When it comes to fashion, our boutiques pull out all the stops with plenty to choose from in terms of style. There’s no such thing as window shopping when you’re in downtown Kankakee. Whether it’s the beautiful lace pieces on display at Roze Lingerie Boutique, the bright pops of color you see in the storefront of
C & L Fine Goods Boutique or the edgy and trendy combinations on display at DressWell Boutique & E.Volve, there’s something that is bound to catch your eye. And Made for Me Boutique in downtown Manteno will be a total mood booster with its fun atmosphere and its employee’s smiling faces.

If you’re looking for a gift for that old soul in your friend or family circle, Kankakee County is home to some great vintage and antique gems. One of our brand-new stores in downtown Kankakee is Madame Saint Vintage. Every person that walks through their doors is flooded with color and nostalgia. From the vintage bar sets to the bright colorful clothing, you’ll feel like you walked into a time machine. The same can be said for Indian Oaks Antique Mall. This 18,000 square foot antique mall in Bourbonnais has over 150 individual booths with items including rare books, jewelry, beautiful glassware even Amish-made furniture and Amish country kitchen items. With 32 years of business under their belt, they’re sure to help you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones.

Kankakee County is home to many specialty shops to help you find that perfectly unique gift. If you’re looking for a gift for an avid cyclist, head down to Tern of the Wheel on Broadway Street in Bradley. Here you’ll find everything from riding gear to helmets to brand-new bikes. They can even help you with any repairs needed on a current bike. When you’re done at Tern of the Wheel, wander your way over to Razzle Dazzle Doggie Bow-tique. Here you can find the perfect gift for your furry friends to sink their teeth into this holiday season. They have a large selection of toys, accessories and even homemade treats. They also specialize in pet nutrition so you may find yourself heading home with some new food samples for the fur babies to try.

If you’re looking for a gift for the family music lover, head over to Ross’s Rock n Roll Emporium in Bradley. This large store is full of band accessories, apparel and has an entire wall dedicated just to vinyl records. On the flip side, if you have a music maker in the family, King Music in Bradley is a great store to find all your instrumental needs. They stock many instruments, sound systems, music books and learning essentials and they even offer music lessons.

While you’re shopping at all our great stores, make sure you’re thinking about where to go to keep your bellies full throughout the day. Kankakee County is home to great restaurants, coffee shops, and one-of-a-kind snacks. Start your day off with coffee or breakfast at The Well, Stefari Café or Recharge Coffee. The Well is a brand-new coffee shop in downtown Manteno that specializes in craft drinks that will keep you warm (or cold if that’s what you prefer) and put a smile on your face. For a more sit-down experience, Stefari, in downtown Kankakee, is great for grabbing a pistachio latte and signature avocado toast. But for the on-the-go shoppers, grab a delicious specialty drink and breakfast sandwich at the drive-thru at Recharge in Bourbonnais.

If you’re wanting to get back to shopping quickly, there are many familiar on the go restaurant options. But if you have some time to spare, try a gourmet burger at Burgers and Beer in Kankakee. Or pair the Tuscan Chicken Pasta at Brickstone Brewery in Bourbonnais with one of their great in house brewed beers. Or grab some pizza and wings at Sammy’s Pizza which are located in Kankakee, Bourbonnais, and Manteno.

After the shopping is finished, and lunch or dinner is done with, the last thing to do is to grab something to take home to the family that they can enjoy right away. Stop by Sweet Street in Bourbonnais to find some of the best assortments of candies, chocolates and snacks for the whole family. Or head to Cranky Mike’s Popcorn in Momence and choose from a large variety of flavors of homemade gourmet popcorn.

A successful shopping day in Kankakee will leave you with a full car, full bellies, and full hearts.