About 5 miles west of the intersection of Wolf Road and 159th Street in Lockport is a little slice of browser`s heaven called Bloomers/Dare to be Different.
A piggyback combination of two separate businesses, one featuring custom floral arrangements, the other featuring collectibles, plus country and Victorian gifts, etc., it`s one shop with extensive appeal. According to current co-owner/previous best customer Bobbye Svitak, ”We try to have items that will touch a lot of different tastes.”
But what if a customer doesn`t find just what they`re looking for? No problem. Other co-owner and crafter-in-residence Annette Rak will custom-design florals to complement any decor.
”We believe in the personal touch,” Rak said, ”so I`ll come right to your home and we will decide together what best fits your style.”
Rak, who teaches floral craft classes at the Homer Township Library, works in both silk and dried flowers. She also creates fresh floral arrangements but stresses, ”Bloomers/Dare to be Different isn`t really a full service florist.”
The selection of gift items at Bloomers/Dare to be Different thoroughly covers the currently popular American country motif. From gingham to calico, hand-hewn wooden shelves to antique-replica advertising signs; from barn-yard animals to Yankee brand scented candles, the shop is stocked to abundance. Recently added are Victorian-type gifts and decorating items blended with the Americana.
The shop`s broad spectrum of collectibles includes many familiar and respected names in the field. The Bradford Exchange, David Winter Cottages, Department 56 ”Snow Babies,” Phyllis Parkins porcelain dolls and Fred Stone horse-motif plates and lithographs are some of them. Others include f igurines by Jan Hagara, Perillo, and All God`s Children, to list a few.
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Bloomers/Dare to be Different is located at 15316 W. 159th St. in Lockport, approximately 4 1/2 miles east of Illinois Highway 53. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone 815-834-1037.
