Welcome to 2020! It's hard to believe we're already entering a brand new decade. Before we go charging full steam ahead into the 20s, we want to take time to reflect on the past decade. You've probably noticed that we've made a few changes around here during the past 10 years. We thought it would be fun to countdown the Top 10 Traveler Transformations in the 2010s.
UPDATE on 3/20/2020: Yeah, about that charging full steam ahead...not really happening at the moment. But while our store is temporarily closed because of coronavirus concerns, we're taking hope from our accomplishments in the 2010s. We kept moving then, and we'll keep moving now, even if we're quarantining.
#10 The Bath Shop
During the past decade, our Bath and Body collection grew to become its own department! The Bath Shop at the center of our store is all about everyday pampering, including soaps & lotions, essential oils, CBD products, body care for men, and even sleepwear. Learn more about our Bath Shop.
#9 NEW Visiting Repair Experts
As you probably know, The Little Traveler is often visited by various experts who can restore your treasures. Since 2009, we've added 5 new regulars to our repair expert lineup:
DOLLMENDERS - doll "doctors" who repair and restore antique & modern dolls
ROBBEN'S METAL RESTORATION - They polish, solder, plate, remove dents & more on most metals.
JULES' CHAIR CANING - It's not a lost art! Make your broken caned chairs & more functional again.
BOB'S LAMP REPAIR - Bob will get your lamps, chandeliers, and other lighting fixtures working again.
GAGE'S CLOCK REPAIR - A family tradition carries on to restore your treasured antique and modern clocks.
They join MARY LOU'S CRYSTAL & CHINA REPAIR and TOM'S KNIFE SHARPENING in the lineup.
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#8 Stonewall Kitchen Shop
All-natural gourmet sauces, jellies, mixes, dressings, and meal starters by Stonewall Kitchen are longtime LT favorites. Throughout the 2010s, their popularity continued to grow, along with their offerings, so we gave Stonewall Kitchen its very own shop-in-a-shop in our Gourmet Rooms. The Little Traveler now carries the largest selection of Stonewall Kitchen in the Chicago area. Learn more about this favorite brand.
#7 History Breakfasts
Our store is more than just a store. A lot of what makes us us are the fun events we host throughout the year. During the 2010s, in partnership with the Geneva History Museum, we began hosting History Breakfasts.
During these informative talks and multimedia presentations, historians from the museum share the history of our store as well as many other facets of our hometown, Geneva, IL. 100% of proceeds from our History Breakfasts benefit the Geneva History Museum. These programs are so popular that we'll carry them into the 2020s Stay tuned for dates. Sign up for our Weekly Emails to get new event dates delivered straight to your inbox:
#6 Nora Fleming
During the 2010s, the Nora Fleming serveware collection with its signature interchangeable minis came to The Little Traveler. You all love it SO much that we're now the largest Nora Fleming retailer in Chicagoland! Learn more about this popular collection.
#5 JULIETS
In the 2010s, an idea was born that gives you and your friends a fun day out while earning money for your favorite cause: JULIETS (Just Us Ladies Into Eating Together & Shopping). Since we started the program, we've had a great time with many JULIETS groups as they shop & laugh & receive exclusive LT experiences.
Sound fun? You pick the day (Monday-Friday) and bring a group of 6-15 people, and we'll give you the "Traveler Treatment," including a 10% donation to a non-profit or other charity of your choice. Pre-schedule your date with our JULIETS coordinator. Learn more.
#4 Shoe Room
In 2012, we introduced you to the comfort and contemporary styling of Naot Footwear in our very first room dedicated to shoes. Since then, we've been on the hunt for the very best in quality, comfort, and style and have added Taos, Dansko, Birkenstock, L'Artiste, Vionic, and Cougar shoe & boots. We want to help you find the very best shoes for travel, weddings & special events, long days on your feet, nights out in the city, and of course, shopping excursions in downtown Geneva.
In 2020, it's hard to imagine LT without our fabulous shoe room, isn't it? Learn more about the collections in our Shoe Room.
#3 Room Renovations
Since 2010, many a wall has come down or been repainted, all with an eye toward improving your shopping experience while preserving the tradition of The Traveler.
Among the most notable renovations:
- Re-imagining of the Cafe as an outdoor French Bistro
- Opening up the Baby Room into a bright, fresh space
- Widening the entrance to our Clothing Gallery "library"
- Creating central checkout in the Gourmet & Wine Rooms
- Expanding Housewares into a 2nd, wide-open gallery.
Stay tuned to see what's next...
#2 Sunday Brunch & Afternoon Tea
Adding Sunday hours allowed us to start a whole new sensation in our Atrium Cafe: Sunday Brunch. For only $8.95, enjoy an all-inclusive brunch. See the full menu.
Also during the 2010s, our Atrium Cafe began serving daily (Monday-Saturday) Afternoon Tea in traditional English style. Learn more.
#1 Fair Trade
In 2014, we brought Fair Trade to The Little Traveler in its very own Gallery. Fair Trade provides a sustainable market for handcrafted products made by artisans around the world. It gives artisans and farmers who would otherwise be under- or unemployed the opportunity to earn necessary income.
THANK YOU for embracing the Fair Trade movement. Your enthusiasm for these products has allowed the collection to expand to include the work or more and more artisans and craftspeople. Learn more about Fair Trade and our vendors.
