Third Ward Alderman Melissa Wynne and Elaine Kemna-Irish of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce celebrated the openings of Dragonfly, 1309 Chicago Ave., and Stumble and Relish, across the street at 1310A Chicago Ave., with ribbon-cuttings on June 19.
“[Dragonfly] is a wonderful addition to the Third Ward,” said Ald. Wynne.
“I grew up in Evanston. I’m very excited to be back in Evanston,” said owner Amy Boone.
The shop features home decorations, candles, picture frames, clothing and jewelry. Ms. Boone said several years ago she had a shop named Dragonfly in Chicago. “Dragonflies are good luck. If you see a lot of dragonflies, it means it’s going to rain – and if it rains, that brings money,” she said.
At the ceremony across the street, Ald. Wynne welcomed Stumble and Relish to the “thriving Chicago/Dempster business district.” Jaime Leonardi, who owns the shop with her mother, Paulette Leffler, said, “Evanston has been good to us.”
The Stumble & Relish website notes the mother and daughter duo “love the little things to stumble on and savor … sweet things to relish in pure happiness, gifts to give and something to make you smile.”
Stumble & Relish carries handmade jewelry, letter-press cards, soaps and other gifts. One popular item, said Ms. Leffler, is purses made from recycled bus seats from Mexico.