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Find Homemade — and Handmade — Valentine’s Day Gifts from Illinois Makers

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Home You are in… Get Inspired » Find Homemade — and Handmade — Valentine’s Day Gifts from Illinois Makers

This Valentine’s Day, make your gift-giving extra special by supporting one of our Illinois Makers. Whether you’re shopping for your sweetheart or yourself, there are plenty of places to find something special, from one-of-a-kind gifts to classic heart-shaped chocolates and handmade jewelry.

Chicago & Beyond 

Aracely's Bakery | Chicago

In a celebration of sweets and baked goods, Aracely's Bakery serves up cupcakes, doughnuts with sprinkles, cannolis, bread puddings and so much more using authentic Mexican recipes. 

Brown Sugar Bakery | Chicago

Chicagoans (and even politicians like Vice President Kamala Harris) agree that Stephanie Hart’s Brown Sugar Bakery serves up the tastiest treats—including their iconic caramel cake. 

Vintrendi Wine Company | Park Forest 

Old-world wine-making meets today’s taste buds at Vintrendi Wine Company in Park Forest—including unique varieties like blackberry wine and honey rosé. 

Anderson’s Candy Shop | Richmond 

Shower your Valentine with some sweets made by one of the best candymakers in the country. At Anderson’s Candy Shop, you’ll find truffles, hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries, a heart-shaped box of chocolates and more! 

Noir d’Ébène Chocolat et Pâtisserie | Evanston

Indulge in an edible gift from Evanston’s Noir d’Ébène Chocolat et Pâtisserie and be transported to Europe. These tasty treats are made with fresh ingredients like Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean paste and French sea salt. 

Edgewater Candles | Evanston

Brighten your special someone’s day with a freshly made, all-natural candle from Edgewater Candles—available in scents like orchid neroli, tomato leaf, and rosemary grapefruit. 

Justice of the Pies | Chicago 

A Chicago bakery that specializes in sweet and savory pies, tarts and quiches, Justice of the Pies was started by owner Maya-Camille Broussard to honor her late father, a criminal defense attorney with a passion for baking and eating anything made with a crust!

MASHALLAH | Chicago 

Since 2011, MASHALLAH has crafted jewelry using recycled semi-precious metals derived from electronic waste—meaning your loved one can sparkle without harming the planet. 

Hollingworth Candies | Lockport 

Satisfy your sweet tooth with Hollingworth Candies signature toffee, caramel apple, molded chocolates, and more! 

Black Dog Gelato | Chicago 

One taste of silky and flavorful gelato from Chicago’s Black Dog Gelato, and you will temporarily fade away to the cobblestones of Italy. 

Katherine Anne Confections | Chicago 

Using farm fresh ingredients from local farms in Illinois, there is something for everyone at Katherine Anne Confections, whether it’s homemade marshmallows, handmade caramels, or their famed thick hot chocolate. 

Hearth & Hammer General | Batavia 

Find all of your Valentine’s Day gift needs under one roof at Hearth & Hammer General—including stationary, fragrance sets, face masks, tea blends, and jewelry.

Great Rivers Country 

Black Band | Peoria

Offering organic and award-winning spirits made from the finest grains in the Midwest, cocktail aficionados will find creature comforts and distilled delights at Black Band. 

The Chocolate Affair | Highland

Chocolate lovers will be in heaven at The Chocolate Affair in Highland, where visitors can find hand-dipped goodies like sea salt caramels, butter almond toffee and chocolate-dipped potato chips.

Trefzger’s Bakery | Peoria Heights 

Since 1861, Trefzger’s Bakery has cranked out every baked good imaginable, such as pies, breakfast pastries, cakes, and cookies—made with recipes that haven't changed in decades.

Riley’s Vegan Sweets & Eats | Peoria

Vegans can finally enjoy plant-based desserts at Riley’s Vegan Sweets & Eats—Peoria’s first 100% vegan bakery!

Dot’s Pots | Moline

Swing by Dot’s Pots for a gift of hand-slabbed pottery like tea bowls, wine cups, pitchers, and more—all topped with food and microwave-safe glazes, and fired in gas and electric kilns. 

My Just Desserts | Alton 

Be sure to stop by Alton’s My Just Desserts early before the bakery sells out of favorites like toll house brownies and Mrs. Ledbetter’s chocolate pie. 

Kruta Bakery | Collinsville

Collinsville’s Kruta Bakery specializes in Stollen pastries, breads, danish rolls, and more baked goods—made fresh daily by the Kruta family. 

Underbrink’s Bakery | Quincy 

For almost a century, Underbrink’s Bakery in Quincy has dubbed itself as “your wedding, anniversary, birthday, graduation and any occasion headquarters” —and you can’t go wrong with their famous iced angel food cupcakes.

Mississippi Mud Pottery | Alton

Everyday essentials are transformed into clay works of art at Mississippi Mud Pottery in Alton. 

Eshelman Pottery | Galena 

For a more modern handmade gift, check out Eshelman Pottery, which touts itself as one of the country’s favorite contemporary potters.  

Land of Lincoln 

Ace Sign Company and Sign Museum | Springfield

Novelty seekers will discover a wealth of signage and iconography when they visit Ace Sign Company and Sign Museum—which both restores neon and other forms of signs and creates new ones.

CBPB Popcorn Shop | Champaign

Champaign’s CBPB Popcorn Shop isn’t just creating 18 flavors of gourmet popcorn, they also make candy apples, homemade fudge, and chocolate-dipped treats. 

Mel-O-Cream Donuts | Springfield 

Springfield’s Mel-O-Cream Donuts have been enjoyed by locals for 80 years, and for good reason!

Pease’s Fine Candies and Salted Nuts | Springfield 

The fifth-generation operated Peases Fine Candies & Salted Nuts in Springfield offers old-fashioned homemade boxed candies, salted nuts, popcorn and more! 

Cocoa Blue Chocolates | Rochester

Travel to the Netherlands without a passport at Rochester’s Cocoa Blue Chocolates, where owner and pastry chef Joshua Becker specializes in Dutch chocolates, caramels and truffles. 

Prairie Fire Glass | Monticello

Central Illinois’s Prairie Fire Glass blazes molten glass into strikingly vibrant pieces from vases, bowls, and jewelry. 

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen | Tuscola 

In Tuscola, two sisters resurrect and carry on their grandfather’s legacy through Flesor’s Candy Kitchen. They serve up handmade candy, along with a complete old-fashioned soda fountain for even more sugary sweetness. 

Trails to Adventure 

Alto Clay Works | Alto Pass 

If you’re on the hunt for an exquisite yet functional gift, Alto Clay Works in Alto Pass may be just the place for you. 

Pomona Winery | Pomona

Share a bottle (or not!) from Pomona Winery, which specializes in wines made from locally grown fruits other than grapes. 

Chocolate Factory | Golconda 

Golconda’s Chocolate Factory crafts gourmet handmade chocolate from terrapins, almond bark, toffee, peanut butter cups and more. 

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