When stepping foot into any local retail business, look beyond the price tags for the priceless story that is bound to be attached to certain items.

A growing passion
Since 2000, Wind Ridge Herb Farm, 466 Quail Trap Road in Caledonia, has grown into a business that carries more than 400 varieties of organically grown herbs for medicinal and culinary purposes, as well as other treasures, such as garden art, pottery, herbal soaps, lotions, lip balms, essential oils, vinegars and dips. “I’ve always wanted a shop,” said owner Liz Fiorenza. “I was a nurse for a long time, and herbs were something I really believed in and have used. There are so many health benefits.” Customers also can benefit from the farm’s garden. “We have dinners in the garden once a month where women can get away for a girls night out.” While in the shop, view some of Fiorenza’s favorite merchandise crafted by local people, such as hand-painted concrete lady bugs and spiders for the garden, which go for $20 to $26. Herbs cost about $3.

AMY J. CORRENTI | ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM
Liz Fiorenza, owner of Wind Ridge Herb Farm, waters tomato plants in the farm’s greenhouse.

Bringing work home
Home is where Alexandra Dewey’s heart is. The 2007 Hononegah High School graduate may be living in California and working in Hollywood as a costume designer on hit TV shows, but she sends her heart home to Gallery2Go, a 180-square-foot shop within Womanspace, a nonprofit organization that seeks to inspire people to pursue new interests and talents. The gallery features the work of 30 to 35 artists, including Dewey’s Cutie Pie and Sweetheart necklaces. These hand-sewn hearts made from metallic thread cost $50. Featured primarily in Los Angeles, Dewey chose to feature her jewelry line in Rockford as well. “I chose Womanspace because I really believe in what they stand for and how they contribute to Rockford’s art scene,” she said. “I think it is so important to provide a nurturing space for women to cultivate their art and surround themselves with creative minds.” Dewey said her heart was drawn to designing jewelry in fashion school, but it was a star that helped her turn it into more than a hobby. “I started to wear the pieces and get comments all of the time, but it wasn’t until (singer/actress) Mandy Moore was on ‘Scrubs’ and wore a piece that I thought of it as a possible business.” Dewey’s jewelry can be found at Gallery2Go, 3333 Maria Linden Drive in Rockford, or at dewidesigns.com.

On the rise
While Stockholm Inn is known for its Swedish pancakes, customers have been taking a liking to its coffee cake. But customers should know that they are enjoying an item that took months to perfect. “We probably produced and threw out about 500 coffee cakes before we came to agree on what we liked,” said Paul Handlin, general manager at Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. “I would not put it out if it wasn’t perfect.” A team of two bakery chefs, a pastry chef and Handlin was able to produce a variety of versions to please the palates of their patrons, including cardamom, almond and the three-in-one, which is a mix of cardamom, cinnamon and almond. The 18-ounce coffee cakes are prepared daily, and if you arrive at the restaurant’s gift shop on a lucky day, there may be an opportunity to sample the item. Handlin said there’s a sample table, but the treats change daily to include kringles, tortes, cakes and brownies. Stockholm Inn sells 50 to 100 coffee cakes each week at a cost of $6.49 each. 

Beads with benefits
Bev Thorsen and co-owners Lila Stinson and Loni Labak sell Kazuri beads at Beads & Reeds, 5846 E. State St. in Rockford, but disadvantaged Kenyan women produce these handmade, painted ceramic pieces. Made from clay from the Mount Kenya area, Kazuri beads give Kenyan women the opportunity to support their loved ones. “With unemployment so high, one jobholder can support up to 20 members of her extended family,” Thorsen said, noting that Kazuri employees make more than three times the national wage. “So know that your support empowers women in Kenya and makes a difference in the lives of these women and their families.” These vibrantly colored beads can be purchased individually or transformed into a pendant. “We will help you design a piece using the Kazuri beads and the many accent beads and components available,” Thorsen said. Bead prices range from $2 to $3.50, and pendant prices range from $5 to $10. 

Two women, one mission
Their backgrounds may tie them together, but Peggy Sala’s and Joan Welsh’s passion to produce an upscale resale store helped the duo to open Possessions, 1642 N. Alpine Road, Rockford (in Highcrest Centre). “These possessions are high-quality furnishings and accessories selected from private estates and local consignors,” said Sala, who has been a Realtor in Rockford for 13 years. Welsh previously co-owned Possession Placers, a Rockford estate-sale company. Visitors to Possessions at Highcrest will find everything from Waterford crystal, artwork, new and estate jewelry, decorative accessories, designer and vintage clothing, fur coats and “little luxuries” new and old. “The store has evolved from the need for estate sales on smaller estates and home sales with beautiful items to sell that are just too nice for a garage sale,” Sala said. Possessions’ showroom consists of two floors, plus a clothing boutique and a bargain basement to accommodate all needs and price ranges. Inventory turns over weekly, giving customers a new shopping experience with each visit. Items are $25 and up.