After moving to my home in Downers Grove in 1988, it was time to decorate, and I always loved antiques. One of my best friends from college did also, so we would plan trips to furnish my home, and the cabinet above was my first purchase from an antique shop on Water Street in Wilmington, IL. Over the years, it has been filled with more collectibles including gifts of LLadro and china. In the 1990’s, my children and my mom visited the famous Gemini Giant and had lunch at the Launching Pad. Mom shared her stories of traveling down Route 66. She lived in Kankakee for awhile. It has been over 10 years since I last visited Wilmington. A good friend I met at work a few years ago planned a wonderful shopping excursion through the historic town this week. Though we spent too much time talking…someone I can truly relate…I really enjoyed visiting the beautiful gift and antique shops. In my after-effects mind, I have already picked out charming candles and Christmas décor that I would like to purchase on a return trip.
Mimi’s Cafe was a great place to meet my friend (above) on Water Street offering an amazing variety of coffee lattes, macchiatos, breakfast, and delectable sandwiches. They have two locations in Wilmington and Bourbonnais, IL and then we headed next door to The Flower Loft. Not only do they offer an extensive collection of flower arrangements for all occasions, but they also have a variety of unique home decor gifts which include painted globes, exquisite lanterns, and interesting wall hangings. The shop has been family owned and operated for several years. Because it was Tuesday, some shops were closed, but we continued on to Milltown Market, which has several different areas and another floor. I always enjoyed a mall setting; many antiques are in sections. They have an area for antique children’s toys, a great kitchen area with Mason jars that my friend collects, rocking horses, clothes, but I especially loved the Christmas collections that included wonderful Santas and great dolls.
Finally, we ended our trip at the Gemini Giant, or better known as the Launching Pad restaurant, a museum on the infamous Route 66 which has become famous bringing out new visitors everyday. The restaurant opened in 1956 as a hot dog and ice cream shop called the Dari Delite. In 1960, it was bought by John and Bernice Korlic and named the Launching Pad drive in. Because of the space age, they bought a 28ft. spaceman made by International Fiberglass, California. A visitor named it the Gemini Giant. The Korlics and family owned the restaurant until 2007. The next owner closed it down; on sale for 5 years; deteriorating. Tully Garrett and Holly C. Barker bought it in 2017. They are a blended family; Tully’s two sons and Holly’s son; tragically losing both their spouses to cancer. They have a gift shop and min-museum. The hot dog and Dole Whip, a soft, fruity dessert, were out of this world; pardon the pun.