Wheaton Shopping
An Eclectic Shopping Experience Awaits
By Kristin Roberts and Becky Cline
With its tree-lined streets and picturesque, historic storefronts, Wheaton begs you to walk a little slower and enjoy a leisurely stroll down the street. In a town where classic architecture is sprinkled with new, the mix of specialty shops and classic retailers provides the ideal shopping experience.
Whether you’re out for a day of exploring or have a specific need in mind, the variety of shopping venues in Wheaton has everything you could want and more. From the historical downtown area and Wheaton Town Square to the Rice Lake Shopping Center, shoppers will find local specialty shops and boutiques coupled with familiar establishments.
Specialty shops include antiques, gifts, jewelry, woodworking, clothing and a host of others, such as the collaboration of boutiques in the Market Shoppes at Design Gallery. The Wheaton shopping atmosphere also boasts a Farmer’s Market and a French Market. Peruse through fresh, locally-grown produce and other gourmet foods, as well as a variety of home-made crafts and trinquets at these two popular events. Shoppers can visit the downtown area’s Farmer’s Market at Cross Street and Wesley Street from June through October, and the French Market at Main Street and Liberty Street from April through October.
An important component which dramatically contributes to the downtown shopping experience is the Downtown Wheaton Association. This organization offers a variety of services and support to business owners who are seeking to locate in Downtown Wheaton, as well as to property owners seeking to invest in the downtown area, including façade rehabilitation grants and property rehabilitation loans. The Downtown Wheaton Association offers other services that are beneficial to business owners such as an online presence, co-operative advertising, education seminars, and newsletters.
Another unique shopping tidbit that not many people know is that Wheaton’s downtown is home to perhaps one of the narrowest stores just about anywhere. The Popcorn Store, which is located on Front Street, was built in what was formerly an alley between two buildings and features the exposed brick walls of the neighboring buildings. The store, which has been around since the 1920s, sells candy for as little as 5¢ a piece and, of course, hot, fresh popcorn. Another stop you’ll want to make is Tate’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream, especially if you have children accompanying you on your outing. Tate’s has antique child-size tables and chairs for the youngsters so they can enjoy the experience of shopping in Wheaton just as much as you do.
Just east of the area’s thriving downtown, situated along Front Street, is the well-known Toms-Price Furniture, a Chicago staple since 1908.
A top furniture destination in the Chicagoland area, Toms-Price has been attracting shoppers to Wheaton since its establishment in the community in 1955. “Toms-Price, though large, has a shopping environment that is warm and inviting … perfectly suited to a neighborhood setting,” explained Kim McQuiston, Advertising Director at Toms-Price. “The home-like atmosphere in the store reflects the casual, friendly and down-to-earth style of Wheaton.”
In addition to Wheaton’s abundance of shops and major retailers are a handful of extensive malls, all easily accessible in several nearby communities.
Major malls include Yorktown in Lombard, Oak Brook Mall, Stratford Square in Bloomingdale, Woodfield in Schaumburg and Fox Valley in Aurora; all offering a wide selection of shops, large department stores and restaurants. While shopping in or around Wheaton, you’ll find a variety of stores that carry everything you need.
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