The Pickin Chicks brings upscale resale, unique gifts to former Tom Harmer in Loves Park
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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LOVES PARK — The Pickin Chicks is bringing its curated selection of upscale resale merchandise and unique gifts to a new location, filling the storefront that was Tom Harmer sporting goods for decades.
Owner Sara Anderson and her team will cut the ribbon on their new storefront at 6550 E. Riverside Blvd. on Friday.
The business, which grew out of Anderson’s love for hunting down unique items at garage sales and flea markets, sells about 70% of its merchandise on consignment. It also handles estate sales and offers house clean out services, helping people determine what’s right for resale while clearing out a property.
In the new storefront, you’ll find everything from furniture to clothing, kitchen items, home decor, artwork, memorabilia, vintage goods, and a variety of gifts. Anderson also plans to partner with Didier Greenhouses to offer bouquets on the weekends for shoppers who need to make a quick stop to pick up flowers, cards and gifts.
“It’s something for everyone. We have a kids section. We have baby toys. We have a whole man section … with tools and golf clubs and beer signs. We even have a giant marlin,” Anderson said. “We have shoppers of all ages, everything. We try to accommodate everyone.”
The store will focus on higher-end items and unique finds and collections.
Tom Harmer, a locally owned shop that helped outfit sports teams and support schools, closed this spring after 74 years in business as owner Kathy Harmer retired. Anderson and her team were called in to assist with the final sale. That led to a conversation about The Pickin Chicks taking over the space.
“It just kind of fell into place. It’s a perfect fit for us. They just said take it and run with it, make it your space,” Anderson said. “The building owners, the Desanti brothers, have been amazing and accommodating and Kathy Harmer, they have all welcomed us with open arms.”
The Pickin Chicks has operated from a warehouse at 9958 N. Alpine Road, suite 101, in Machesney Park for the past four years. It was initially designed to serve as storage, but Anderson said she saw the need from customers to sell on consignment rather than a full estate sale.
The business itself started in 2014 after a couple years of Anderson and her daughter Meghan treasure hunting at thrift shops, garage sales and flea markets. Her husband, Chad, gave the business its name.
“My husband said, ‘Oh the Pickin Chicks are at it again,’ meaning we were going out thrifting and helping other people, and it just kind of stuck,” she said.
The new location moves the business from a somewhat hidden industrial park to a busy corridor with roughly 24,000 vehicles going past it a day, according to Illinois Department of Transportation daily traffic counts.
“I hope it keeps growing,” she said. “I hope people love it.”
The Pickin Chicks | quick facts
Where: 6550 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
Grand opening: 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5 (Cheezy’s Grilled Cheese on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (there are also extended hours for certain holidays and special events)
Contact: 815-979-5057; thepickinchicks@gmail.com
Online: thepickinchicks.com
Facebook: Go HERE
Instagram: @thepickinchicksupscaleresale
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
