Today’s local, eco-friendly shop takes us to Madison Street in Forest Park. If you love thrifting, you’ll love the Forest Park Emporium (7345 W. Madison Street), a truly fabulous address for treasures from the 1920s to the 1990’s, all guaranteed to bring back childhood memories.
The Emporium is a dazzling Aladdin’s cave, hosting multiple vendors, each with an in-store booth featuring a truly charming jumble of objects that will transport you to another place and time. You can expect to be plunged into a wonderland where anyone who looks carefully can come away with a one-of-a-kind treasure.
The broad assortment of merchandise includes great vintage clothing and accessories (prints were never bolder or sassier than they were in the 60s and 70s), wooden toys and old-fashioned board games, literary finds, and antique house wares for any room in the house (the kitchen goods are hard to resist with their sunny colors). For those who love to sew and create, they also sell vintage textiles with fun, unanticipated patterns.
I love browsing their jewelry case, with unique items in brave designs. You can look forward to individual vendor sales, and they also have a $1 box on the counter where you can snag an ultra-collectible piece, (guilt-free at that price)!
One particular vendor consistently offers gorgeous reclaimed and restyled vintage merchandise: Two Girls Shop (see gallery for photos). I first fell in love with their lovely restored baubles and spunky paraphernalia at the Emporium, and you can now find their reinvented furniture pieces thoughtfully displayed in the window of Buzz Café in Oak Park (905 S. Lombard Avenue).
“Everything has been discarded by someone somewhere and has been reclaimed and given a new life.” Furniture, dishes, glasses, home decor, and gems are all rejuvenated with care and consideration.
A striking rust-colored hutch and a distinctive upholstered ottoman (which could substitute as a small, mod coffee table) showcase the artful eye and fine craftsmanship of Two Girls Shop. If you’re looking for handsome home décor or cool and unusual jewelry pieces, stop by the Emporium in Forest Park or drop by Buzz Café to take in the view.
For store hours call the Emporium at 708.488.1618. For more info on Two Girls Shop, visit www.TwoGirlsShop.etsy.com or www.TwoGirls.Gems.etsy.com or find Two Girls Shop Chicago on facebook.
