 Our merchants around the square are offering some of the finest and
most unique gift items you'll find anywhere.Three Roses Floral
If you've not yet found your Christmas spirit, then it's a great
idea to start your day on the west side of the square, where Three
Roses Floral is located, at 123 S. Kickapoo. The business is owned
and operated by Lincolnite Bill Bree.
 Step into a grand hall flanked with beautifully decorated
Christmas trees running the entire length of the building. As you
admire themed trees, choose special ornaments off the tree to give
or keep for your own collection.
In the center of the room, a baby grand player piano serenades
you with traditional Christmas music, and on the coldest of days,
the vintage marble fireplace may be lit for your enjoyment as well.
Three Roses, of course, is not only going to offer you beautiful
Christmas centerpieces and poinsettias; they also offer many gift
items.
They offer beautiful Nativity sets in a variety of sizes and
prices. These sets make wonderful gifts for collectors or for that
young person or couple who are celebrating their first Christmas in
their own home.
Beans & Such
Next door to Three Roses is the fabulous Beans & Such. The store
is well-known for its amazing variety of flavored coffees. As you
step into the building, the robust aroma of these remarkable
products envelopes you with a warm, cozy feeling.
But as you browse about, you'll soon see that this store is so
much more than coffee.
 Mary Lanterman and son David, the owners of the store, offer some
lovely high-end collectibles. They feature Cody Foster villages,
bottlebrush trees, Walnut Ridge chalkware and a complete line of
collectible figurines in the blue and white Dedham Pottery line,
which is a made-in-America product.
 In addition to all this, you can find a variety of flavorings to
add to your own coffee, as well as gourmet soup starter mixes,
unique seasoning products and so much more.
Action Rental and Sales
Leaving Beans & Such, the direction you take may depend on what
you are looking for, as each store on the square offers something
unique.
If you have a sports enthusiast who has been especially good this
year and deserves a really big gift, you might want to head north to
the corner of Broadway and Kickapoo. There you'll find Roger Matson
at Action Rental and Sales ready to help you choose that perfect
item.
Matson offers a complete line of furnishings for the sports
fanatic, starting with recliners, kids' chairs, youth rockers and
much more.
 Each piece is embroidered with your avorite team's logo. Whether
it is a professional team such as the Cubs, Cardinals or White Sox,
a college team like the Fighting Illini, or even NASCAR, Matson has
something for everyone.
And, if the big ticket is a little too big, at Action Rental and
Sales you can work with a payment plan that will fit your budget.
In addition to this the store offers a wide variety of
traditional furnishings, electronics and lovely portable fireplaces
that are not only beautiful to look at but utilitarian as well.
And, while you are there, be sure to register for the store's
Christmas drawing. This year the big giveaway will be a piece of
sport logo furniture. The drawing will be Friday, so be sure to stop
in soon.
[to top of second column]
 |
MKS Jewelers
Crossing Broadway onto the north side of the square, be sure to
stop in and browse a bit at MKS Jewelers.
At a fine jewelry store you're going to expect to find some
lovely pieces of jewelry, and at MKS you will not be disappointed.
According to Angela Getchel, this year's hot item is the Kameleon
line.
 This line of jewelry falls in the mid-price range, making it
affordable for gifting to that special lady on your list.
The line starts with a variety of foundation pieces such as
pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets, but what is most special
about the line are the settings. Settings are easily removed and
switched from one foundation piece to another.
With all the settings being interchangeable, this is a gift that
can be added to as time goes by. Start with your foundation piece.
Then on each special occasion throughout the year, you may choose to
purchase a new setting.
But again, MKS is so much more than just a jewelry store. They
offer a huge variety of crystal pieces and many name-brand
collectibles.
 Among some of the higher quality glass products is the Peggy Karr
line. This year the line includes art glass decorative pieces, tree
ornaments and a variety of pieces for your holiday buffet that are
dishwasher-safe.
Mary Todd Lincoln Hallmark
Leaving MKS, the Mary Todd Lincoln Hallmark shop is just a few
short steps away and a must-see for the serious Christmas shopper.
In addition to a complete line of Hallmark products, the store
offers a huge selection of Yankee Candle products as well as Beanie
Baby and other small stuffed animals.
The store is also budget-conscious, as you'll be able to find
everything from lovely, inexpensive novelty gifts to top-of-the-line
collectibles.
Julie Tarter, the store's owner, points out a new item for this
year that is flying off the shelves: African dwarf frogs in their
own little eco-aquarium.
 These lively little frogs spend their days entertaining you with
their antics in their small aquarium. They live entirely underwater
and bounce about, playing in their rocks and bamboo, or clinging to
the walls of the aquarium.
These low-maintenance little creatures require feeding only twice
a week and tank cleaning two to three times per year.
Mary Todd also carries the special food for these little guys,
and Tarter and her staff are well-versed in how to care for them.
Serendipity Stitches
As you travel back the way you came, be sure to stop in at
Serendipity Stitches on the corner of Kickapoo and Pulaski.
 While you may not want to try to take home the giant hand-knitted
snowman that sits in the center of the store, there is a smaller
version available that would make a lovely gift.
 In addition to this, the store offers handmade knit and crochet
items such as purses, scarves and sweaters.
The store's owner, Jeannie Xamis, and her little band of knitters
will also make up something special at your request.
In addition, if you know a knitter or someone who would like to
become one, the store offers a wide variety of books and patterns,
along with a complete line of yarns and tools.
Tomorrow we will finish up our shopping trip around the square.
[By NILA SMITH] |
