By james art IRVING PARK — One of Chicago’s newest gift shops has opened in Irving Park and is looking to boost the local arts scene.
Gift shop Hey, I Thought of You held a grand opening Oct. 12 at its storefront, 2839 W. Montrose Ave. Those who enter the store, opened by local artist Carolyn Kasnoff, are greeted with vibrant colors and artwork and gifts from local artists.
Kasnoff, 36, said she wants the store to be a community art space where Chicagoans can buy locally made artwork or participate in specialty craft classes. Classes include stamp making, wreath making and candle making.
Hey, I Thought Of You has been in the works since before the pandemic, Kasnoff said. There are many “barriers to entry” for aspiring artists, Kasnoff said. She wanted to make sure her business provided a platform for local artists.
“I want to be very approachable. I want it to be very diverse because the city itself is,” Kasnoff said. “I met a lot of really cool artists doing a lot of different things.”
The interior of the store includes a mural with the store’s name. It was painted and designed by Ali Cantarella, a Logan Square artist who has known Kassnoff for about a decade. Given their friendship, Cantarella said it was “really special to do a mural for” the store.
Cantarella is also one of many local artists whose work is available for sale in the store. In addition to being a muralist, Cantarella self-publishes “Hasty Pastry,” a comic aimed at children that is sold at Hey, I Thought Of You.
Natalie Standiford, a Southside resident who runs the Ghost Eyes jewelry brand, met Kasnoff several years ago when Kasnoff ordered a custom pair of sequin earrings for her dog, Standiford said.
Standiferd berets, necklaces, earrings and bracelets are now on sale at Hey, I Thought Of You. The store will benefit local artists who want their work seen in person, she said.
“It’s just really important because not everyone has the opportunity to be seen online,” Standiferd said. “So if you can walk into a store, it’s just like networking, but through a store.”
About 90 percent of the store’s work is from the Chicago area, Kasnoff said. There are paintings, stained glass sculptures and more.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” Kasnoff said.
Kassnoff said the store’s name is meant to evoke the feeling of an old friend reaching out who you haven’t spoken to in a while.
The store is dog-friendly, and customers can meet Bonnie, an Italian Hound, Beagle and Kassnoff Rat Terrier mix.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Kasnoff said. “I want people to feel that excited when they shop.”
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast: