A picture may be worth a thousand words, but at Image Gallery it can be transformed into something of even greater value.
Customers are encouraged to create unique gifts by bringing their favorite photographs into the store, which is located in the Northpoint Shopping Center in Arlington Heights.
The photos are used to create personalized collages, calendars, photo albums, video covers, greeting cards, T-shirts, mugs, stickers, buttons and even bottle labels. For each gift, customers select a product and a special design and message.
“It’s all about memories, and there’s nothing more special than memories,” said Renee Greene, assistant manager. “All we’re doing is enhancing them and bringing them to a different plateau.”
Prices range from $3.95 for personalized greeting cards and stickers to $49 for a unique wall calendar that includes 12 different photos. Other affordable custom-made items include bottle labels ($5.95), video covers ($7.95), mugs ($9.95), desk calendars ($21), collages ($24) and photo albums ($24).
Volume discounts apply to all items. Five or more duplicate collages, for instance, would be $7.95 apiece.
Since it opened last September, Image Gallery has become popular among new parents and grandparents and those who want to give unusual gifts.
Dina Skinner of Arlington Heights visits Image Gallery about once a week. Last Christmas she sent a calendar with photos of her 10-month-old son, Anthony, to his grandparents. Skinner also has ordered collages and greeting cards and promises she’ll be back soon to purchase special invitations for Anthony’s 1st birthday party.
“Everything is personalized, and the service is great,” Skinner said. “It gives you a chance to create unique gifts. I tell everybody about this place.”
In addition to bringing photos to life, Image Gallery also offers same-day photo-finishing and matting.
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Image Gallery, 350 E. Rand Rd., Arlington Heights; 708-398-9888. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
