LAKEVIEW — The long-enduring love of the GI Generation is chronicled in movies like "The Notebook," but customers at Taboo Tabou can now get their hands on artifacts of the real thing.
Owners of the lingerie and sex toy shop at 843 W. Belmont Ave. recently discovered a treasure trove of love letters written to an Alabama soldier during World War II, and they'll be giving all 40 of them away in a Valentine's Day raffle.
After finding the letters in an Alabama thrift shop, Taboo Tabou tried to track down the writer, but had no luck. So now the store will give away the mementos next week.
In the letters, Rose Rossi writes to her husband, Leno Rossi, describing the daily goings-on in West Blocton, Ala. She begins with an endearing salutation of "Hello, honey," chats about the "awful warm" weather in June 1945 and tells him what their neighbors are up to.
"It's simple, day-to-day stuff, but I think there's a really cool human connection in being able to see the way they love each other on a daily basis is the same way we all still love each other," said Taboo owner Alexis Thomas.
"Although," she adds as an afterthought, "now we have vibrators."
One of dozens of love letters from Rose Rossi to her husband Leno V. Rossi during World War II. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
Taboo Tabou is pulling out all the stops for Valentine's Day, with 14 days of giveaways and special events. Wednesday night, relationship coaches will discuss "How to Love Me" during a self-empowerment workshop. This weekend, Taboo Tabou will have a spanking booth at Spin Chicago's Heartbreak Hotel.
Customers who spend at least $100 also get free surprise gift boxes valued at $50 filled with unique items meant to supplement their purchase.
"It's nothing we sell in the store, because we didn't want someone to buy what we're also giving away," Thomas said. "If you're buying clothes or toys or whatever, this is going to enhance it."
From free gift wrapping to a Bottle and Bottega date night giveaway, there are plenty of ways Taboo wants to help celebrate love in all its forms.
Alexis Thomas, owner of Taboo Tabou, shows off Valentine's Day gift boxes the store is giving away to anyone who spends $100 before the holiday. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
"We have cute couples coming in to buy toys or massage stuff or naughty BDSM stuff, or girls who want their own Galentine's Day lingerie," Thomas said. "There's a mad dash, and everything about Taboo gets enhanced during Valentine's Day."
