BEVERLY — Avoid a trip to the mall this holiday season by finding some great gifts in the 19th Ward.
Shopping local not only helps neighborhood business owners, it also saves gas and has the potential to yield some pretty unique items. Here's a few we found:
Saint Xavier University Has Its Own Ugly Holiday Sweater
Saint Xavier University in Mount Greenwood has its own version of an ugly holiday sweater available in its bookstore at 3700 W. 103rd St. The $34 sweatshirt combines both holiday designs with the school name and logo.
Morgan Jozsa (left), 19, of Oak Lawn works in the bookstore in the university's Shannon Center. She showed fellow student Sylvia Zarebczan, 19, of Hickory Hills the popular sweatshirts. Both anticipated selling out of the holiday items quickly.
Hockey Rats Welcome At Morgan Park Sports Center
The Morgan Park Sports Center invites hockey players to play pickup games — commonly known as "rat hockey" — at various times throughout the week. A five-punch card is availble for hockey heads like Frank Gall (left) of Morgan Park and Ian Feliz of Mount Greenwood.
The card costs $50 at new rink at 11505 S. Western Ave. in Morgan Park. Rat hockey players must be 15 and older and wear full equipment. Anyone younger than 18 must wear a full cage face mask.
Let the Quilter In Your Life Tell You EXACTLY What They Want
The Quilter's Trunk in Beverly is like a toy store for quilting enthusiasts. But for those unfamiliar with various threads, fabrics or machines, store manager Lisa Wilberding has found a way to simplify things.
Wilberding has created a holiday gift registry for the new store at 10352 S. Western Ave. in Beverly. Quilters can go into the store and fill out an index card with everything their hearts desire.
Gift buyers can then peek at the index card kept in a box near the register and buy things off the list. Sounds like a perfect way to ensure a perfect gift.
Bring Home a Gecko That Won't Sell You Insurance
Hardy's Aquatics and Pets in Morgan Park has a black Friday deal from 8 a.m. to noon that involves a free gecko. Anyone who buys the all-in-one gecko kit for $119.99 recieves the occupant for free. The kit includes a 10-gallon terrarium, light, water, and more.
The lizards normally cost $19.99. And owner Eric Hardy said he'll gladly keep the geckos and kits in the store at 1834 S. Western Ave. until closer to Dec. 25.
Represent Your School And Yourself With Custom Gear
Schools Are Us in Mount Greenwood sells more than just gym uniforms. The store at 3146 W. 111th St. also stocks hooded sweatshirts that can be customized with the names of local schools.
The custom hoodies cost $23 for youth and $25 for adult sizes. Many school kids also ask to have their names and jersey number also added to the back of the sweatshirt. The addition of a name costs $5 and a number costs $2.
Beanies with embroidered school logos are also available for $10 and pom-pom hats cost $12.
The Couple That Yogas Together...
The Beverly Yoga Center invites couples to relax a bit in its Beverly studio at 1917 W. 103rd St. Its couples yoga program is designed to be a break from the usual dinner and a movie date night. Classes cost $30 and are available from 7-8:15 p.m. on Jan. 23, Feb. 27, March 5 and April 16. All levels are welcome.
Shiny New Shoes For Your Car at Exotic Wheel
Roll up to your holiday party in style with some new rims and tires from Exotic Wheel at 10101 S. Western Ave. in Beverly. Manager Russell Britton of Washington Park said gift certificates are available throughout the gift-buying season.
A special is also a underway for these 20-inch Lorenzo 35 rims. Sold with all-season tires, a set of four costs $1,250, reduced from $1,800.
Drop Some Jaws With A Knockout Holiday Jumpsuit
Tres Chic Boutique is in the business of turning heads and dropping jaws. The store at 2235 W. 95th St. in Beverly sells dresses for weddings, proms and other special occasions.
This fully-beaded holiday jumpsuit by Mac Duggal features a wide leg and high waistline design for $700. Store manager Sam Nimer promises the outfit will be the talk of any holiday party.