Ideas N’ Designs

 

Store Name Ideas N’ Designs
A his and hers compatible shopping experienceBusiness Type  Antiques and Used Merchandise Stores

NAICS Code 4533

Location 116 West Market Street, Mount Carroll, IL 61053

Nearby Businesses art galleries, espresso shops, tearooms, cafés, antique stores, textiles, gift shops and farmers market

Owner/Manager Len and Linda Anderson

Special Store Activities Organizes downtown events including a series of “Cruise to Mount Carroll Cruise Nights” that attract antique car enthusiasts.

Year Opened N/A

Website http://www.ideasndesigns.com/

Phone 815-244-7875

E-mail n/a

Community Profile Mount Carroll, Illinois (Population: 1,800, 10 mile radius population: 12,200) is located in the rolling hills next to a rambling river in the northwest corner of the state. Mount Carroll is the county seat of Carroll County. It is approximately 2.5 hours west of Chicago. The downtown area retains brick streets and preserved homes and buildings located within its National Historic District. Also in town are the historic buildings and grounds of the former Shimer Academy

Products Sold & Niche Developed

Upon entering this store, you are given a ‘Welcome” by owner Linda Anderson, alias the Mad Hatter. The one minute visual and mental commercial is as follows: “Welcome! Through the doors on this side of the store you will find , car parts-toys-clocks- basement and a three car garage with old cars. Under the staircase: Through the Looking Fashions, vintage and new and used clothing. Through the doors on the other side of the room is a Victorian Library and an outside English Garden. In front of that is The Mad Hatter Tea Room, where we have coffee tea and desserts every day we are open, where you pick out a hat and you HAVE a good time! Off to the side we have two booths with silk lined drapes, chandeliers, cushions and a third booth in the front window. On the far side of the store we have wholesale designer fabrics (a true find!!) The Mad Hatter, alias Interior Designer, is able to bring many quality high price fabrics to her customers for unbelievable discounts.” Ideas n’ Designs is an unusual owner-occupied and operated service-oriented business. The items are hand picked to fit into the many displays throughout the store, giving the customer ideas of how to incorporate their finds into their collecting motif.

Market Segments Served

The tagline for the business is “a his and hers compatible shopping experience.” The store focuses on both interests of couples and helps them escaping the hectic pace of Chicago and other metropolitan areas. From automobilia to books to designer fabrics, the business appeals to a variety of interests.

Contributions to the Business Community

This business has created an important anchor for the downtown. The storefront on Market Street with its interesting window displays encourages sidewalk traffic. The store has two separate building on both ends of the downtown area. This encourages customers to traverse the downtown from one building to the other. The business owners have also demonstrated their commitment ot downtown through their extensive historic restoration of the building. This include creation of living space upstairs. Other downtown building restorations have followed and are underway. The business also helps organize downtown events including a series of “Cruise to Mount Carroll Cruise Nights” that attract antique car enthusiasts. These events bring antique car enthusiasts to town and provide a festive event with food and music for visitors and local residents alike.

 

Review by: Bill Ryan, UW Extension CCED