While you are out doing your holiday shopping, be sure to stop in a great new business in Villa Park: Krazi Dazie Resale, 9 E. Park Blvd. Owners Kris Olson and Teri Conway have done a great job turning this space into a neat resale shop. I know a lot of people think of resale shops as dingy places crammed with stuff. This is definitely not the case here. Krazi Dazie is clean, bright and a fun place to explore.

These long-time best friends opened for business in July, fulfilling the dreams of these self-proclaimed resale shop shoppers.

Olson explains their decision to open a resale shop.

“We decided a few years ago that instead of having a garage sale with all the things that were no longer being used at our homes that maybe some day we would open a resale shop, so we began saving everything in hopes that our dream would become a reality. We are resale shoppers and were unhappy with other resale stores that were unorganized, unclean, had no rest room facility to offer and we had to sift through lots of poor quality things to find the few items we wanted to buy.

“When the opportunity arose for us to finally have our own resale store, we wanted to do everything different, so we set some new standards that it would be organized, clean, have a rest room , allow customers to return or exchange items and really be able to provide good customer service.

“We work hard every day to achieve this and we are very proud of the outcome,” Olson said.

The store offers designer clothing for a variety of sizes for infants through adults, a wonderful selection of accessories such as jewelry, purses, belts and hats, general household items, small to medium-sized furniture, artwork, great gift items, toys and lots of miscellaneous items. They’ve done a great job to make the store fun and upbeat.

Olson said the store has been well received in Villa Park.

“All of our customers love our store. They all agree that the store is clean, well-organized and that we have a huge variety of items to offer. We’ve received lots of comments on the great quality of the merchandise we have to offer. Our customers have been very supportive by donating items and telling their family and friends about the store.”

With the economy being the top news day after day, I asked Olson how it would affect her business.

“We hope that we have built a good enough reputation that people will continue to shop at our store regardless of the state of the economy. The question is why spend more money at a retail store when you can get similar quality merchandise for a fraction of the price here at Krazi Daize Resale in Villa Park?”
 
Holiday events in Oakbrook Terrace

Animal Holiday Party, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
This event will be held at the Lake View Nature Center. You will start with a self-guided winter walk around Terrace View Park and then head into the Nature Center to make edible ornaments for the animals that live in your back yard. Refreshments will be served. All ages are welcome. Children younger than 13 should attend with an adult. The fee is $3 per person, $8 for nonresidents.

Home for the Holiday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
This free event is for all ages. The Park District will be filled with holiday cheer. Come listen to the sounds of the Barbershop Chorus and the American Wind Band. The Heritage Center will be transformed for the holiday season. The musical performances will be held in the Mario Parents Theatre. Refreshments will be served.

Holidays Around the World, 10 a.m. or noon Wednesday, Dec. 17
Children in kindergarten through eighth grade will celebrate holidays and traditions enjoyed by children around the world in the Park District program. Children will act out the original Christmas story, have a turn in the Hanukah dreidel game, beat the drum in an African-American Kwanza ceremony and parade under the dragon in a Chinese New Year celebration. The cost is $6 per person.

Call the Park District at (630) 627-6100 with any questions about these events.