Shopping in Burr Ridge

At PersonalizationMall's bustling headquarters in Burr Ridge, Illinois, skilled technicians and graphic designers render customer-submitted family photos and children's names onto coffee mugs, photo frames, and T-shirts. Gift-making artisans sandblast anniversary dates into glass chalices, while textile experts embroider his-and-hers towels and baby blankets. Family names are emblazoned across more than 5000 different products, such as garden stones, golf balls, and handsome gift boxes. Shipping times as short as one day allow for the immediate gifting of presents that convey messages such as “happy birthday” or “forgive me for falling asleep in your rose bush”. Customers can preview their customized design before purchasing to help fashion the ideal gift or individualized party favor.

For more than two decades, American Mattress has promoted peaceful slumber in bedchambers throughout the Midwest with their vast selection of mattresses, headboards, and linens. The sleep experts strive to stay abreast of the latest bedding technology: their Serta mattresses are made with gel foam that supports curves, and Tempur-Pedic mattresses repel allergens, mites, and poltergeists looking to spoon. This devotion to a good night’s sleep has helped them earn the title of Best Mattress Store from suburban Chicago’s Daily Herald five years in a row. Additionally, American Mattress doubles down on each of its beds with a 30-day comfort guarantee and a 60-day best-price guarantee.

To call The Body Shop a mere skin and body care store is to miss half of what makes it special. Late founder Dame Anita Roddick was a pioneer for ethical business practices; upon opening her first store in Brighton, England, in 1976, she developed company values such as "Defend human rights" and "Protect our planet." She somehow balanced principles and profit, partnering in global campaigns with UNICEF, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, all while expanding her brand into 2,500 locations in 60 international markets. After her death in 2007, then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market. . . . She was an inspiration.”

Indeed, the Body Shop exhibits an eco-friendliness that's hard to come by in a company of its size. Its products have been fair-trade since 1987, and its Against Animal Testing movement led to a UK-wide ban of animal testing of cosmetics. The products are made from ingredients harvested from around the world: shea butter from Ghana goes into body scrubs and butters, and Indian artisans craft wooden massagers and tote bags that are screenprinted by hand. But all that isn't to say the company's production practices overshadow its final products. Skincare treatments such as the Blue Corn 3-in-1 deep-cleansing scrub mask often appear in Allure, Marie Claire, and other national publications.

Helping customers improve their vision is the main concern of the optometrists and eye-care professionals at Eye Boutique, who provide preventive screenings and help choosing from their more than 1,800 frames at each location. In each shop, licensed doctors of optometry scan eyes with comprehensive exams before diagnosing issues or prescribing high-definition Zeiss lenses and contact lenses from Optix and Acuvue. Designer frames from Guess, Nike, and Kenneth Cole house lenses fashionably, and Teflon protective layers help guard lenses from scratches and reduce glare. Sunglasses from brands such as Ray-Ban and Coach also protect eyes from harmful UV rays, creating an accessory that is both stylish and useful, like a diamond with a job.

Since Dr. Stanley Pearle opened the doors to the first Pearle Vision in 1961, the franchise has expanded to more than 800 stores nationwide. In these stores, optometrists assess the ocular health of patients before onsite opticians help them navigate the assortment of frames from brands such as Versace, Ray-Ban, and DKNY. If they're not in the store, clients can utilize the Try-On tool, uploading a photo to see what they or their dog looks like in different types of glasses. Pearle Vision also helps focus the world with contacts from Acuvue and Biofinity.

The floral-arrangement specialists at The Enchanted Florist aim to create tangible expressions for their customers' affections through thoughtfully designed bouquets and gift baskets. Well-versed in the language of flowers, they compose arrangements brimming with fresh-cut snapdragons, lilies, and roses for celebrating the birth of a new baby, expressing sympathy, or retrieving a safe combination from someone with allergies. For birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions, the florists fill wicker baskets with Ghirardelli chocolates, Columbus salami, and fresh fruit. In addition to bouquets and gourmet baskets, they craft table arrangements, boutonnieres, and other floral creations for upcoming weddings, using the couple’s budget and taste as a guideline.