The concept of gift-giving often comes with the pressure to find something extravagant. Yet, if you ask those around you, you’ll find that some of the most memorable gifts are small, personal, and filled with sentiment.
Many of us are drawn to items that remind us of our childhood—things that aren’t expensive or overly showy but bring us joy.
This philosophy is the foundation of niceLena & friends, a destination that channels a sense of deliberate nostalgia. The store operates on the principle of offering items that remind people of the treasures they wished they could have had as children.
A shop dedicated to unconventional gifts you’ll find nowhere else
Located in Evanston, niceLena & friends offers a unique retail experience unlike any other shop you’ll find on Michigan Avenue.
The owner, Lena, describes it as a destination focused on low, approachable prices, countering the current trend of high costs for everyday items. The shop’s goal is to recreate a whimsical atmosphere where shopping is enjoyable and free from the pressures of high-end consumerism.
The store’s inventory is diverse, offering products perfect for almost any occasion, especially the holidays. A key offering is the selection of custom-printed items, which allows customers to create personalized gifts, including mugs, coasters, magnets, ornaments, and sticker sheets.
Beyond custom orders, the shelves are filled with a colorful array of goods, from unique art prints and graphic stickers to jewelry and ceramics. The store’s aesthetic is deliberately lighthearted and unconventional, featuring products with distinct character, such as the famous Christmas pickle ornament.
One of our favorite parts of the shop is that it offers candle refills. Customers can bring in containers to be filled with new wax, choosing from a curated list of scents. The owner tends to avoid overly common options, such as vanilla, in favor of more distinct fragrances.
The shop is located at 1235 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202.