CHICAGO – Sweden Shop, a landmark business in Chicago’s North Park neighborhood for over four decades, is seeing big changes this fall with the launch of a series of family-centered programs and events with Performer/Community Arts Activist Jamie O’Reilly, new look, and an expanded new food market.
Jamie O’Reilly
Event Blog
Fall, 2022
So pleased to share here. I am joining the creative team at Sweden Shop, hosting a monthly children’s storytime at the shop, and assisting with event planning and promotion. I’ll also be moving our Roots in the Garden concerts indoors at Tre Kronor, with seasonal soirees in the upstairs room.
Top photo by Iwona Biedermann
STORIES
Saturday, Oct 15, 2 PM – 3 PM
Children’s Storytime with Grandma Jamie
The Sweden Shop – inside
3304 W. Foster
Chicago, Il 60625
http://www.theswedenshop.com/
For information email Jamie@jamieoreilly.com
Walk-ins welcome. Phone the store: (773) 478-0327
Our first children’s storytime on October 15th, will be books with an autumn theme, Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills, Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson and Children of the Forest by Elsa Beskow are being considered. Jamie will also read a story from Swedish American poet Carl Sandburg.
The storytime series will spotlight the remarkable children’s books section of the shop. Patty Rasmussen, a mother of five, knows a good story. Her tasteful aesthetic is reflected in the fine assortment of books, toys and baby products throughout the children section.
Patty says: “We want to share the traditions of our Scandinavian culture and local history with our community, and provide our customers with the ease that comes when shopping at a small, neighborhood boutique. We’ve lightened-up and modernized our space, and redesigned our display windows to bring attention to exciting in-store merchandise and specials. Jamie, who comes from a big theatrical family and is a grandmother, offered to host a monthly story-time for our younger patrons.“
“We’ll be pairing the readings with seasonal activities for the children (accompanied perhaps by a grandparent). Books and related products will be on sale at the storytime and there will be something to take home for the children.”
With over 40 years experience between us as presenters, Patty Rasmussen and I have witnessed the goodwill and joy that comes when people gather and share music, conversation and delicious food. Events at Tre Kronor/The Sweden Shop are designed to bring families and friends together, away from the fuss of big crowds, in a lovely, intimate setting. Creating memories that last. It’s an exciting time.
Tre Kronor restaurant located 3258 W Foster Ave (across the street), will be open before and after the storytime, with autumnal treats like pumpkin lattes and pastries the family can enjoy.
LIVE MUSIC WITH JAMIE O’REILLY AND FRIENDS
SONGS
“All the places we remember…”
Sunday, Oct 9 at 7 PM until 9:30 PM
Harvest Home, an Autumnal Soiree
Concert with Singer Jamie O’Reilly & Pianist John Erickson
Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro – upstairs
3258 W Foster
Chicago, Il 60625
Tickets through Jamie’s website
https://www.jamieoreilly.com/events/jamie-oreilly-harvest-home-at-tre-kronor/
ROOTS IN THE GARDEN AT TRE KRONOR
In summer of 2021 and 2022, I produced the first of a series of evening concerts in the restaurant garden where I was a longtime customer of both the Sweden Shop and its companion business Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro. Pianist John Erickson, reader Judi Heikes and I presented music and poetry, with singer/songwriter Anne Hills as special guest in May. The restaurant offered a delicious selection of Scandinavian specialties, with a BYOB option.
I needed to be Covid-conscious, but I missed singing live for my fans and they missed it too. Patty offered us the garden for concerts. I’d sought-out the garden for breakfast during the early months of Covid, when restaurant options were limited and I was stir-crazy. It was a godsend.
Listen to Jamie sing Cole Porter’s Allez Vous en
I knew it would be a good fit for live music. Now, two years-in, I want to foster more of the community spirit that comes with the Roots in The Garden concerts, and host indoor, intimate gatherings in the Salon tradition my family started in Chicago in the early 1900s. Tre Kronor’s warm upper room is just right.
(Read about In Old Chicago, Jamie’s program on her relations.)
MORE ABOUT SWEDEN SHOP
THE NEW MARKET
Located at 3304 W. Foster Ave, Sweden Shop’s recently transformed space now includes a market room, featuring more Scandinavian specialty foods and kitchen items. Custom designed gift baskets will be available for purchase in time for the holidays.
The store continues to feature the finest home goods products and a broad selection of baby and children’s items, toys and books for young, growing families. Appealing to older folks, too, is our glassware, textiles, clothing-accessories, cards and stationary, and our popular kitchen items. We want to bring back our gift registry service with special items hand-picked by our loyal customers for grandparents, parents and in-laws.”
With the popular Erickson’s and Wikström delicatessens in Andersonville now closed, and a growing foodie culture, there’s more demand than ever for these specialty foods. The new market (located in the room that used to stock Marimekko fabric), currently features familiar Scandinavian favorites. Shoppers will find coffee, tea and sweets for Kiva, as well as Limpa rye and cheeses, and a variety of popular prepared foods like pickled herring and lingonberry jam.
The Shop will add more products as the holidays near with monthly specials posted online.
By Thanksgiving the store plans to have gift baskets for sale featuring foodstuffs, textiles and other Sweden Shop specialties customers love. Stay tuned for updates!
The Sweden Shop and Tre Kronor are just minutes away from the Kennedy and Edens Expressways and offer street parking. There is easy access via public transportation on the Foster Ave bus.
For more information visit us on FACEBOOK.
The Sweden Shop
3304 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Small Scandinavian department store carrying textiles,
housewares, clothing, books & toys.
https://www.facebook.com/theswedenshop/
Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro
3258 W Foster Ave
Chicago, Il 60625
Hearty Scandinavian meals served in a traditional, rustic backdrop with outdoor seating.
https://www.facebook.com/TreKronorRestaurant/
