Lake Bluff and Lake Forest are home to some of our favorite shops, restaurants, and businesses. Each of them makes our community unique and gives it a special feel that we can’t get anywhere else.  

Our beloved shops and restaurants make our hometown a desirable shopping and dining destination for people from all over. Many of us value these local businesses because of the variety, outstanding quality, and personal touch they bring to our community. 

These businesses also regularly support LB/LF students and our local schools. They often provide donations and discounts throughout the year to students and organizations of LFHS. This is an important reason that we as community members should reciprocate and support our much loved local businesses.

There are so many wonderful businesses in town, but here are a few favorites to consider supporting for your shopping or dining needs:

Chief’s Pub 

Chief’s Pub is a local family friendly sports bar and restaurant in uptown Lake Forest. It was founded in 2007, on Halloween by Charles Knesley. 

Charles was a firefighter, along with his father and other relatives. They honor firefighters globally (hence the name “Chief’s”), and have a huge mural of firefighters on a big brick wall located in the pub. 

The vibe at Chiefs is always fun, casual, and celebratory. Along with pro sports, Chief’s also displays LFHS games on their big screen, which adds to the local, community feel. 

I have always loved heading to Chiefs after home football games on Friday nights, as they host the varsity football, dance, and cheer teams, along with friends and families of the teams following the games. This fun tradition is full of unforgettable memories for so many of us.

Lake Forest Book Store 

Lake Forest Book Store was founded in 1949 by 12 local women, and was originally called “The Book Stall.” After moving a few times throughout the years, it settled in 2015 to its present location in uptown LF. The store is run by dedicated and knowledgeable local women who always have amazing recommendations for all interests and ages of readers.

They also host fun book signing events, giving our community members the opportunity to meet their favorite authors in person.

Lake Forest Book Store also sells great gifts like games, stuffed animals, and  yummy smelling candles. It is truly a one stop shop for all of your gifting needs! 

This shop is a very special place for the community. One of my personal favorite parts about Lake Forest Book Store is the Little Christmas Village they display in their windows every year, it adds a special touch to the holiday season.

Kiddles Sports 

Local gem Kiddles Sports, founded in September of 1968, is located in Market Square. It sells a large assortment of equipment and gear for all sports at every age.  They also partner with many local youth organizations to provide uniforms and other branded gear. 

Kiddles partners with LFHS and makes LF branded athletic bags, clothing, and other fun accessories. The majority of sports teams at LFHS shop from Kiddles to get clothes made for their specific sport, and they can get it personalized.

Kiddles is family run, and you always feel like you are an extension of their family when you shop there. For those of us who have grown up in LB/LF, Jay Shifka and his family have most likely known you since you were little, supplying you with your first bike or first soccer ball. It is evident that the Shifka family truly cares about providing you with the best gear appropriate to your needs.

Bluffington’s Cafe

Located in uptown LB, Bluffington’s Cafe was opened in 1997 by the Karnanzes family, and is now co-owned by Doug Karnanzes and his partner Derek Hilldale. It is one of my personal town favorites! They offer the most delicious homemade sandwiches, salads, smoothies and more. 

One of my favorite parts about growing up in LB is being able to come to Bluffingtons with my friends and family, it always fits the homey, small town vibe and makes my day feel complete. 

During the summer, LB kids will ride their bikes and scooters uptown to go and hangout at Bluffingtons. After a long day at the beach, biking around town, or kids playing up at the park, Bluffingtons is certain to have the most delicious food and treats that truly brings the community together in such a cool way. 

With Bluffingtons being right in the heart of Lake Bluff , part of what makes it so special is the Bluffer atmosphere, filled with kind and caring people. I love seeing different groups of fellow Bluffers at every age gather for ice cream, coffee, breakfast or lunch, oftentimes enjoying a beautiful day at one of the cafe’s outdoor tables. You are guaranteed to run into someone you know, adding to the special small town feel.

Twigs 

Twigs is a local flower shop that has been in uptown LB for over 10 years, right across from the LB gazebo.  Twigs offers not only the most gorgeous flowers, but also great gifts, unique greeting cards, stuffed animals, and beautiful candles. 

They offer the prettiest corsages and boutonnieres for school dances. These gorgeous creations from Twigs are definitely a go-to for LFHS students for these occasions. 

One of my favorite parts about Twigs is the small hand blown glass hearts they sell. They are all unique and one of a kind, and such a great gift to give . My family collects them and gives them to each other on special occasions, and we get so excited when we find out that there are new colors, patterns, and designs of these hearts at Twigs.

Everything inside and outside of Twigs has so much thought put behind it. The mom and daughter who own it have an incredible eye for art and design, and are always so kind and helpful whenever you enter their store.

These are only a handful of some of the best local shops and restaurants in the LB/LF community. Make sure to support these small businesses along with all the other amazing ones this holiday season by shopping and dining locally. Through all the support they give to us, it is important that we show support in return.