August 27, 2010
Growing up on a farm just about 30 miles west of Geneva, I thought that it was such a treat to be taken to my mom’s favorite lunch destination, the Little Traveler. This was a favorite place for mom and her friends to reunite and catch up on life. Sometimes I was afforded the opportunity to “tag along.”
As time went on and I moved away, finally settling in SC, I began to appreciate the unique experience of visiting the Little Traveler each summer with my mom. Nowhere else seemed to offer such a wonderful opportunity to dine and shop for hours all in one store. One summer when I was coming home for a class reunion, she suggested that we have lunch at the Little Traveler to see if I might be able to find just the right dress for the occasion. Sure enough, we found a two-piece outfit that was the prettiest teal color with some crocheted detail that made it a one-of-a-kind outfit. She loved it the minute she saw it on me and insisted on buying it for me.
Sadly, six years ago this very month, my sweet mother passed away leaving an unbelievable void in my life. As I was making my decision as far as what I should wear for her funeral, I put aside the notion of wearing the traditional black outfit and decided upon that awesome teal dress that we shopped for together. It represented not just a singular moment of time we shared at your shop, but in a larger sense it represented the importance of spending quality time with the people you love most. Thanks for providing some great memories!
Beth Jacky, Lexington, SC
June 26, 2010
Dear Little Traveler,
When being asked what childhood memory stuck out in my mind, I was extremely surprised at the picture that flashed in my mind. The image of the front of The Little Traveler. The lunches, puppet shows, and story times that I was given the opportunity to sit through have made a memory that is unforgettable. I remember my mom getting the newsletter and I would anxiously await what event was scheduled.
I was first taken to The Little Traveler when I was five years old. I went with my grandma and mother in order to meet my childhood obsession: Madeline, the character from my favorite book. My grandmother promised me I could take my picture with her. Sure enough, I got my picture and even got to work side by side with my grandma to make a hat just like Madeline’s. Little did I know at the time that this outing would be one of my favorite memories.
My grandma became sick this year with cancer, and during her treatment I kept playing that memory over in my mind, hanging on to such a fun time. I am happy to say my grandma is cancer-free at the moment. I hope we can make another trip to lunch at The Little Traveler once again, and I can feel like “one of the ladies.”
Sincerely,
Kelly Del Valle, Woodridge, IL
Kelly will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter. Send your letters to Almanack Editor, 404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.
April 5, 2010
A Letter from a Friend:
My story begins when I was 5 years old. My mother told me and my sister Anne that on the weekend we would take the train to Geneva to meet our great-aunt Kate. I had heard stories of her worldly travels and at Christmas we always received a special gift from her. Living in Chicago in 1946 and not owning a car, the train was really our only option. What an adventure!
We walked up Third Street to The Little Traveler and rang the doorbell. Someone let us inside and we waited in the foyer to be greeted. I remember looking up the long staircase as I heard aunt Kate’s footsteps from above, then at the turn of the stairs she came into view with a big smile. She was a very gracious and generous woman whom I will never forget.
I have returned to The Little Traveler often since then and, in fact, I was there last weekend. I always take a moment to gaze up the stairs when I enter to remember her. I am so pleased that her legacy lives on. Her name was Kate Howard Raftery, the founder of The Little Traveler, but she was my great-aunt Kate. Great indeed!
John Howard Loader
Oak Lawn, Illinois
John will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter. Send your letters to Almanack Editor, 404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.
February 3, 2010
I first visited The Little Traveler with my college roommate who was from Geneva. We were freshmen at NIU in the late 1950’s and I loved it then as I do now. I’ve never been to a gift shop that feels like it was dedicated to everything I like. It totally fits me and my likes. From the jewelry to the stationery to the garden room, I love it all. This past winter I bought five (5) snowflake pins that I gave to very special friends.
I’ve started bringing my only granddaughter there to celebrate her Oct. birthday. We started when she was four and have done it for three years now. Also, when being rewarded for being so good when her Dad was recuperating from surgery, her mother wanted to reward her and Kathryn said she wanted to go to Geneva shopping with Grandma Purple. Now what’s better than that?
-Helen
November 30, 2009
Dear Little Traveler,
Greetings from South Florida!
Though I live in a vacation capital, for the last few years I have spent my vacation in Batavia with visits to my brother and sister-in-law. And I just want to share with you how the highlight of those visits has become a day spent in Geneva at The Little Traveler– and I do mean a pretty full day. Our day always takes on the same delightful pattern: we shop our way to the middle of the store, stop to energize at The Atrium Cafe for lunch, continuing shopping our way through the rest of the store.
These enjoyable “day trips” have actually taken on the status of family legend where the mantra, “Don’t buy anythng that won’t fit in the suitcase,” is featured. It seems that with great regularity I not only fill my suitcases with your little treasures but I fall in love with a large treasure that requires a very large box that must be shipped home! A chandelier, a wall decoration, and a statue have all made the trip from The Little Traveler in Illinois to my home in Florida.
Let my family tease me. I’ll be back for more treasures… and I’m glad that you ship!
Thanks for the fun! See you next year.
Fondly,
Trish Kornblatt, Boynton Beach, FL
Trish will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter. Send your letters to Almanack Editor, 404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.
October 21, 2009
Dear Sir:
I had the most delightful experience at the Little Traveler. I would like to share it with you. I had finished my shopping and was ready to go to my car. However, it began to rain while I was going to the front door of the Traveler to wait for a let up- – it just wouldn’t stop raining. I walked back to the jewelry dept. to bide my time and then a wonderful employee came to my rescue.
I did not have an umbrella and was wearing a jacket with suede trim. It was decided I shouldn’t get the suede wet. So your employee got a big plastic bag, cut a hole for the head and a slit for one hand to open the car door. When I thanked them for the rain gear, they said, “Of course, we’re a full service store,” and off I went.
Thanks so much to that special employee (I did not get her name), but the staff is really special. That’s why I keep coming back to The Little Traveler.
Mary Lou
October 21, 2009
Hi Mike.
I had a spur of the moment lunch at The Little Traveler yesterday. I just want to tell you how wonderful it was! Lunch was delicious, our server so sweet and kind. My friend and I walked around, she bought a jacket and every person in your shop said ‘hello,’ and asked if we needed help.
I left a birthday card my friend gave me. I went back today to see if it was there (it was an expensive “talking” card), and they put it away in a drawer and gave it back to me! Today, too, every person said hello, smiled or asked if I needed help. You run an extraordinary shop!
Joanne
October 14, 2009
Dear Little Traveler,
While reading the recent “Little Traveler Almanack,” I noticed the presentation “Visit with Walt Whitman – America’s Poet” on March 30. Though we live in Northwest Indiana, our travel time in excess of an hour, my husband and I were very glad we attended. Mr. Lindsay did an excellent job in his portrayal of Mr. Whitman.
To be sure, we will be looking forward to attending additional dramatizations, and in particular, “The Life of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln” in May. Perhaps we will even bring some friends.
Thank you for presenting these educational series. For over 30 years our family has enjoyed our visits to The Little Traveler.
Yours tuly, Elizabeth
October 9, 2009
I have been to your store many times, but never for any of your history events. My 28-year-old son enjoys poetry, and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was when I saw “Walt Whitman — America’s Poet” living history portrayal as one of your highlights in March. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend some quality time with my son. When I asked him if he would be interested in attending the presentation, he said, “Sure.” For two weeks I waited with great anticipation, and then the day finally arrived.
From our first greeting at the front door, to the service from the wait staff, the guests at our table — and then the ultimate — Mr. Whitman’s presentation. It was truly wonderful! My son and I thoroughly enjoyed the morning. I can’t thank you enough for providing this opportunity for my son and me to bond! A beautiful memory this trip to The Little Traveler will provide me for the rest of my life. And hopefully it’s the first of many more events that I will attend.
Cindy
I come to your 