Living Small in a Big World - Theatre in the Windows, Fudge in the Kitchen

Theatre in the Windows, Fudge in the Kitchen

The inspiration for our fudge comes from Craig’s Grandma Kate. The inspiration for our windows? That’s all my mom, Tanya.

Mom ran a bookshop on the square in Charleston, Illinois, right across from a historic courthouse (yes—it does feel a little like fate). She believed a storefront should create an experience, not just display what was for sale. To her, windows weren’t decoration—they were theatre.

Every few weeks she staged a new production behind the glass. Themes, puns, big statements—she loved them all. Her theatre background meant she never looked at things the same way most people did. A broken umbrella? Costume piece. A stack of old newspapers? Backdrop. A giant piece of cardboard? Well, that was practically a blank stage waiting for its scene.

And she saved everything. Not in a messy-hoarder kind of way, but in a “this might be a perfect prop one day” kind of way. As a kid, it drove me crazy. She’d say, “If I throw it out, I’ll need it tomorrow.” Spoiler: I swore I’d never be like that.

Fast forward to today, and… guess who’s keeping everything? Yep. Me. Because when you own a shop with big, beautiful display windows—directly across from a historic courthouse, no less—you start to see potential in every scrap of fabric and every oddly shaped box. DNA doesn’t lie. (And yes, I’m still mad at myself for tossing the huge cardboard tube from our new rug. It would’ve made a perfect North Pole.)

Of course, Mom didn’t do it alone. My dad, Leonard, was the steady hand behind the curtain—patient, practical, and handy with a saw. He built giant flowers out of old book covers for her “Blooming Books” display. When I watch Craig cutting out reindeer silhouettes or building moving parts for our windows, I see Dad all over again. It’s funny how history repeats itself in sawdust and staple guns.

Since we opened on East Union in June 2021, Craig and I have staged quite a few “productions” of our own: Santa at the Beach, Candy Land, Harry Potter Halloween, The Night Before Christmas, Christmas Gnomes, Party Penguins, Candy Button Dalmatians… the list is growing. 

Some of the inspiration comes from childhood trips with my parents to New York City to see the famous Christmas windows. Some of it comes straight from Mom’s love of theatre. And then Craig adds his own brand of magic—drawing on his auto mechanic background to make things move, spin, or light up in ways that surprise even me.

Yes, the displays are a ton of work. But when I go to the store in the morning and catch sight of them, I can’t help but smile. They remind me of Mom, of Dad, and of the joy of being part of a downtown community—just like she was, years ago in Charleston.

I guess the truth is: I’ve become a bit like my mom. And honestly? I love it.

Next window debuts after Labor Day....come on by and enjoy the show! 

Oh yeah, and please come in and buy something (Craig made me say that!).