A Little Town

They say "love is blind" and "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", but in the little town of Frankfort, IL there was true vintage beauty along the cobblestone sidewalks throughout the village. There was a time that the streets and homes held their own uniqueness and simplicity in the area. Almost all the streets back in the mid-90's led to where you would find those "mom and pop" stores, a few antique stores and maybe a tavern or two.

After introducing my mom to the area, she came out once a week and we would try to find those out of the way shops and boutiques to go to and a cafe for some coffee or lunch. Frankfort always seemed to be the place, White and Ash Streets led to a few shops and boutiques.

You couldn't help but fall in love with the old-fashioned, vintage-like bungalows and cottages as you walked the area. Everything surrounded a park where the kids could play and run around, the picnic areas and trails were always busy with people window shopping or on their way to the market. We would truly enjoy just "people watching" while the girls ran around with some other children nearby. If my dad came with, he would take the girls for some ice cream while my mom and I went into a couple of shops.

Life was so simple back then, growing up in a small Dutch town, knowing almost everyone down and around your block and up the street; it is amazing how times have changed. I wish sometimes that I can get all that back, unfortunately, it doesn't work and time cannot stand still.

My daughter's are now 25 and 27 so their patience and interest is minimal for this now, which I guess is normal. My mom now lives in Indiana and the area is so reminiscent of the times we spent in Frankfort, IL. If I stay for a week we make time to visit antique shops and other boutiques there. The only difference is that the shops, although vintage/shabby, are still more modernized to reflect their own uniqueness and style.

When I asked my 25 year old if she remembered doing all this years ago, she said "just a little bit" and then added " but that was a long time ago. If we could set the clocks back and do it all again, I would, but we can't." She did let me know later though that she wouldn't mind going back to Frankfort, or antiquing in our downtown area of Orland Park.......that made my day.

Around Sept/October each year, I try to find the time to walk around their Art's and Craft's Fair which is the biggest in the area. A new restaurant in the area Jameson's Pub has an excellent menu and along South LaGrange there is Lumes for breakfast and lunch, Buffalo Wild Wings, Starbucks and a host of other restaurants and shops. Evilena's Red Dresser 2 is a fairly new resale and consignment shop that I love to visit, always something new every time I go.

Frankfort continues to expand and better their stores, keep their village up-to-date on everything from road closures to new businesses coming into the area via their newspaper, internet and calendar.

If you travel West from LaGrange on Rte. 30 you will find J.C. Penney's, Kohl's, Sports Authority as well as Panera Bread, Portillo's and many other known shops and restaurants.

There is also a beautiful venue further southwest in Frankfort that holds concerts, comedy clubs and if you want to be married outside in the summer or fall, they have a gorgeous gazebo and huge fire pit for the evenings. CD & Me loves a good crowd and their venue is the best in the area.

Come and visit Frankfort, IL, you won't want to leave!