Shopping in Oak Park

Visitors of all ages can find something to entertain them at My Hobby Place & Toys, where the inventory ranges from toys that foster education and development to hobby supplies for older children and adults. The store stocks products from more than 40 name brands, including Lego Star Wars and dinosaur sets and the Fisher-Price corn-popper push toy that kids must demonstrate mastery of to graduate kindergarten. Baby Einstein's Discovery cards teach toddlers to recognize animals and master basic vocabulary, and art supplies by Crayola and Melissa & Doug stimulate artistic impulses more easily than séances with Michelangelo. The Celestron travel telescope kit fits a telescope, a tripod, and two different eyepieces into a backpack-style carrying case, and the Model T rock tumbler polishes up to 3 pounds of stones using a 115-volt motor and four grades of polishing abrasives. Grownups can play trivia and humor-based board games or wrestle with jigsaw puzzles of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe.

Founded in 1995 by a back-pain sufferer who discovered the difference footwear inserts can make, Good Feet comprises more than 120 store locations across the globe everywhere arches are out of alignment. Good Feet crafts orthotics endorsed by football legend Emmitt Smith that are tailored to individual foot contours via a three-step process meant to accommodate the various activities dominated by feet such as aerobic exercise and tube-sock modeling.

Lynn, Patricia, and Martina each discovered a love for design and creativity at a young age, and this passion ultimately brought them together to work at a crafting studio until 2006, when the owner of the studio retired after more than 20 years in business. Not wanting to say goodbye to each other or their customers, the three friends decided to purchase the business, and Crafty Lady Trio was born, creating a place for customers to knit, stitch, and socialize.

When asked what sets the company apart, Lynn Cusumano cites its specialization. "I think we have the largest selection,” she adds, “and largest number of experienced teachers." These resources shine through during classes, which, instead of adhering to specific lesson plans, cater to each student's skill set. Pupils purchase kits and patterns ahead of time from Crafty Lady Trio's store, and then help them blossom into colorful projects such as scarves and shawls with an expert’s guidance. The trio also leads longer crafting retreats and a weekly club for more advanced projects.

Courses take place within a 3,600-square-foot studio space that holds five teaching tables. For the trio and their students, this isn't just a place to work. It becomes a haven for making friends and sharing a passion for needlework.:m]]

The eyewear experts at Blink flatter faces with a collection of frames from designers such as Prada, Valentino, Nine West, and David Yurman. As clients browse, staff members remain on hand, eager to expound on the subtle differences in lens materials or coatings. They also help clients browse both classic and avant-garde outlines, as well as a colorful array of Ray-Bans primed for future trips to the beach or the lighting department of the local hardware store.