Here’s the gimmick: A gift store on the tony North Shore that sells stuff at: a moderate price. And no attitude to boot.
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That’s what Beverley Zadikoff and Arlene Posner had in mind when they opened Mermaid Moon in Glencoe in March.
“It’s easy to find something nice for $200,” says Zadikoff. “The challenge is to find something cool you can sell for $30 or $40. There’s already too many galleries with high-priced merchandise. We didn’t want to compete with that.”
Zadikoff, an ex-office manager and jewelry designer, and Posner, an interior designer, met at a party, found they had similar tastes and decided to start their own business.
The partners agreed on an assortment of soaps, picture frames, mirrors, candlestick holders and jewelry, along with novelty items in the New Age vein. For example, there’s the Spell Box , which promises to “explore the art of ritual and the power of the universe,” and is packed with incense, herbs, massage oil and juniper berries.
Other items include hatboxes hand-painted by Chicago artisan Francine Gourguechon and candlestick holders decorated with colorful resin baubles . There’s also a set of 24 cedar pencils wrapped in corrugated cardboard that can be converted into a pencil holder after unpacking .
“We think ofthis kind of like an adult toy store,” Posner says. “We want to make people feel welcome; we want people to have fun and walk out smiling.”
Mermaid Moon, 342 Park Ave., Glencoe, is open from l0 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 708-835-8880.