Brighton charm bracelets are even more charming now that the new holiday beads have arrived at The Little Traveler!  You can add a festive flare to your own bracelet, or even create a whole new Christmas-themed jewelry piece to bring out at the holidays.  These charming little beads also make lovely gifts.

As with all Brighton jewelry, these holiday charms are created through a multi-step process that begins with a designer’s hand sketch. Each piece is cast in solid brass or zinc alloy and is lavishly dipped in pure silver. Since silver has a natural tendency to tarnish (oxidize) and scratch, Brighton adds a protective layer of lacquer to assist in retarding this typical occurrence.

I wanted to share a story with you about the little traveler.  My dear friend and neighbor had a birthday, and she is a person who has everything. I had no clue what to get her but I wanted to do something to make the day a great one for her.

The two of us came to The Little Traveler for shopping, had a lovely lunch in the restaurant, enjoyed the fashion show and had so much fun looking at all of the fun merchandise in all of the rooms and nooks and crannies at the Little Traveler.

The best gift  you can give someone is your time, in my opinion, and the time we both spent at the Little Traveler that day was priceless. I know that we will make this an annual event and I look forward to next year and having another lovely day.

I just wanted to thank you for making sure our baby shower went as planned! It turned out beautiful, everything we wanted and more! Your staff was wonderful, and our waiters Nick, and Adrianna were amazing, they could not have been anymore attentive or efficient!!! Again thank you sooo much for making our day special!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Weibel

Thanks!
Catherine O.

I wanted to thank you and your staff for helping to make my Mother’s birthday extra special this year.  We visited your store on Friday, September 16^th.  My sister and I had an idea – we wanted to take my Mom through the store and have different clerks present her with gifts we had purchased earlier.  We bought items in the following sections:  candy, wine, gourmet, kitchen, Dept. 56, linens, flower shop and Vera Bradley.  Each and every staff person was very happy to play along and had the purchases wrapped beautifully.  When we arrived to each section, your staff cheerfully greeted my Mother by name (Eileen) and wished her a happy birthday while presenting her nicely wrapped gift.  Two even sang – which was unexpected!  I believe the singers were in the wine shop and flower shop.

Some special staff mentions – my sister originally spoke with Dale in the Christmas area about a Dept. 56 house.  Her enthusiasm towards holding and wrapping a house for my Mom led to us wanting to expand to many other departments.

Judy, the wonderful person who answered your main phone on the afternoon of Thursday, 9/15, patiently listened to my idea and tried very hard to find someone to help me coordinate the event on Friday.  She led me to Peggy Maness in linens.

Peggy told me to see her first when I came to shop for the gifts.  I told her which areas I would be going to and she went around and talked to everyone to give them a heads up.  She is also the one who suggested a common ribbon color – we chose yellow.  (The Dept. 56 house was already wrapped too nice to change from the pink.)

So I wanted to share a giant “THANK YOU” to your staff.  Everyone we worked with was so pleasant and really helped surprise my Mom.  She loved it!

My Mom had spent three months in the hospital and a nursing home earlier this year and now has to face another surgery.  She loves shopping, so our afternoon at the Little Traveler was perfect for her!  After dinner, we took all the presents home and she got to open them there, so the fun lasted for hours.

Thanks again.  You have a wonderful staff there!

Patrice Mendala-Zitt

I was born and raised in the wonderful town of Geneva, Illinois.  Now I live in Naples, Florida . In fact, Sylvia Simon was my neighbor.  My parents have passed away, so now when I visit Geneva, The Little Traveler, you are my home.

Growing up my mother, sister and I would go to the Atrium Cafe for every special occasion.  As I had my children, we continued the tradition. Then there was my ladies luncheons among the antiques and the wonderful food was always memorable.

My husband was a great shopper, so whenever we would visit Geneva, you were always our first stop.  We would always experience great finds. Please don’t ever change!  You will always be home away from home.

With loving memories, sincerely

Ruth C. Griffin, Naples, FL

The food was absolutely delicious–we had a hard time deciding which course we liked best! The finger sandwiches, breads, and desserts were all fabulous, as well as the delightful teas! John and Taurino did a wonderful job of serving us and coming back many times to see how we were doing (the hostess was so helpful, too!).

Many thanks for the lasting memories that you helped to create for my guests on Aug. 27…this was a special day that we’ll fondly recall many times in the future! Little Traveler always surpasses our expectations and makes our important family milestone events so perfect!!

Thanks for all of your help with this special day.

-Linda

Hi Little Traveler,

Last weekend four of us traveled from Akron, Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio to visit our friend in South Elgin, Illinois. Three of us have been friends since 1st grade and the other two were added at our all girls Catholic high school. Our Chicago friend, Ann, said I must take you to the Little Traveler in Geneva. What do they sell we asked? A little bit of everything was her answer. So, we all bought our matching scarves to remember our weekend. The women who sold us the scarves took the photos and told us to email them in and possibly they will be on the website. So here they are.

Thanks Little Traveler, we enjoyed our visit.

Marianne Bodine
Avon Lake Ohio

Zack met with my dughter and me to set up the menu and plan the event.  It was a beautiful lunch, and Zack and our servers made the day memorable.  They were fantastic and everyone said they would return at another time as the food was delicious.  The service was superb and timely!

Thanks for making the day special,and we look forward to another event in the near future.

Thanks,

Pat

Thank you!

Jo

It is my first place to go for a new baby outfit too.  Everything is different than you see in regular stores.  I am also happy to see so many items in the food areas being made in America.  Thank you.

Barbara

I watched her sweet little face as her eyes grew wide at the beautiful lights and decorations. I can only imagine what was going through her little nine month old mind. She was extremely well behaved… it was as if she knew she was in a special place!

I look forward to sharing many more visits to the “Traveler” with her and future grandchildren. Thanks for always being that special place our family loves to visit throughout the year!

Sincerely,
Maureen Anderson, St. Charles, Illinois

Maureen will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter, published in the Spring 2011 Almanack. Send your letters to Almanack Editor
404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.

When they graduated in 1960 they gave me a beautiful three-strand crystal necklace.  I have always treasured that gift.  I wanted to wear it at the reunion, so I went through everything in my wardrobe to choose something that would best show off the necklace.

Lots of little-worn “fancy” attire got pulled out of closets and tried on.  My daughter and I scrutinized each outfit until I came to a beautiful subtly-beaded black top that had been purchased at Little Traveler.  We both agreed it was a perfect complement for the necklace.

It is not the first time that Little Traveler has provided the right outfit for lots of different occasions.

O.G.

More than 50 years passed between my teenage years and my last visit to the Little Traveler. About 10 years ago I was visiting my sister-in-law in Glen Ellyn and she mentioned Little Traveler.  “Let’s go,” I said, and we were off to Geneva.  I was amazed at the fact this shop really hasn’t changed physically in 70+ years.  It is still quaint, but the inventory of merchandise is phenomenal.  I purchased a Tiffany lamp which is my permantent connection withthe Little Traveler from my home im south Florida.
Sincerely,

T.C.

Boynton Beach, FL

Whenever I entertain house guests, I plan a day at your wonderful store (lunch too!).  What a way to spend the day—they can’t wait to return.  You make my entertaining so easy and fun, something for everyone.

Thank you, A. K.

St. Charles, IL

I moved to Dekalb in 1960, married in 1963, and thus acquired both a husband and a son at the same time. In 1969 I had a daughter, and when my daughter was three years old and my son seventeen, I’d drive them both to Geneva on a Saturday and deliver my son to the train station. He would head into Chicago, and I’d take my daughter Reva to The Little Traveler for morning refreshments.

I’d have coffee in the Atrium Cafe, and Reva would have cinnamon toast and lemonade, a meal arrived at by my consultation with the waitresses. We did this about once a month. While dining, my daughter would toss pennies into the wishing well and make up elaborate wishes that she happily described not only to me but to the wait persons as well.

Then we would head to the toy shop followed by the antique rooms, the children’s clothing section, and several other special places. We did this for years. Eventually my children married and moved. My daughter became a theatre director and found work in California. She visited me when she was in her late twenties, and I took her to The Little Traveler early one morning. We
sat at our favorite table beside the wishing well. A waitress came over to take our order, looked at us, smiled, and asked, “cinnamon toast and lemonade for the lady?” I was stunned.

While we chatted, my daughter told the staff that she was working in the theatre, and they responded that after her wild wishes, they all knew she’d be doing something creative. It was quite a reunion. The wait staff have changed, and I now have grandchildren, but the pleasure of morning coffee in the Atrium remains, along with the wonderful memories.

Thanks for being a constant in a changing world.

JoAnne, Dekalb, Illinois

JoAnne 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.

Little Traveler,

Since I moved to Scottsdale AZ I have pined for you.

I just had 2 jars f Pumpkin Butter sent to me so I’m feeling much better,

Tiger

Thanks, Tiger!  Looking for something to do with that Pumpkin Butter? Try this recipe for Pudding Pumpkin Cake.

Thank you so much for the gift certificate to THE BEST unique store ever, “The Little Traveler.”  I so enjoy not only bringing guests there, but also enjoy coming by myself.

I recently lost my husband to a long battle of cancer.  While waiting for his prescriptions, I would stop by to help take my mind off of things. He always knew that The Little Traveler was a favorite of mine, often giving me gift certificates or would come shopping with me, so I could give him some ideas. Now, it comforts me to shop at The Little Traveler, feeling that a part of my husband is with me, overseeing what I am about to purchase.

One of my most cherished gifts that my husband purchased for me was the Swarovski Red Dress for Women Charm.  My mother passed from heart disease and since my husband purchased it for me, it has a very special place in my heart.

Knowing how much I enjoy shopping at The Little Traveler, my son has carried on the tradition.  Also, gift certificates can be ordered from people who reside in other states for us, who are lucky enough to live close enough to Geneva.  My sister, who lives in Texas, has ordered gift certificates for me, knowing that is the best gift that she could give.

Sincerely,

Kathie Osborn

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

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.