Tawny Tortoise

Stop in if you want to be greeted with a warm smile and great gift ideas!

Charming, graceful, inviting, delightful, quirky… these are just a few ways to describe this gem. There’s a tagline by the logo on the pamphlet that went into my shopping bag after my transaction, «Slower Paced Shopping.» It one of those places that makes you realize that zipping around trying to get everything done as quickly as possible is one way of doing things, while taking your time purposefully shopping may be more enjoyable.
There’s a little something for everything, from handmade art glass pieces to kid’s toys to gourmet foods to knick knacks. Samples of chai and cookies were out on the day I stopped by to purchase some holiday «Republic of Tea» loose leaf tea. Prices were fair and the shopkeeper was very friendly and willing to go into depth to explain the origins of the crafted art pieces that were for sale in the store. And on the day I was shopping, I also received a complimentary paper bookmark with a beautiful hand painted flower on it which was painted by one of the artisans that had artwork for sale in the store. I also love the location, right in downtown next to the old church which is being converted once again to a restaurant. I am so very impressed with this store!

I’ve walked by The Tawny Tortoise a dozen times when going to Baci next door but had never been in. Finally, out of curiosity, after dinner tonight my folks and I dropped in to check the place out. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, since one front window is laden with porcelain dolls, and another was full of blown glass «witch balls» that you often see in catalogs. What exactly was this place about?
The answer is, a little bit of everything. Seriously. The store rambles over three floors, and over the course of our wanderings we saw puzzles, books, greeting cards, blown glass items, a plethora of Christmas ornaments and décor, lots of dolls, dollhouse furniture, and toys (they also have a doll hospital on-​site), painted glass plates, tea sets and cordial sets, a variety of gourmet and specialty foods, a room full of just lace, as well as a «bargain basement» that we didn’t even get to! Overall, if I had to compare it to anything, it would be the Little Traveler in Geneva, but catering to a somewhat broader audience.
Prices were very good; my mother and I each bought a decorative tabletop angel figure for the holidays which were marked down to $ 7, but even at their original price they were reasonable. Dad also bought a blown glass «spinnerette» for $ 30, which would have been a lot more in the city, or even, say, Naperville.
The stock was also unusual, and the clerk said it changes often. I was delighted to find David Rio Chai mix, which I hadn’t seen in years — a friend had sent me some from Jakarta, Indonesia ten or so years ago, and I loved it, but I didn’t know where to find it, and now I’ve got the hook-​up!
We did not get to meet the owner, Mary Alice, who is apparently usually on hand, but the clerk who was working and a vendor who happened to be in had only great things to say about her, so I’ll look forward to it on a future visit.
The clerk we dealt with was very accomodating, chatty and friendly; we talked with her for about 20 minutes! Overall, the atmosphere was welcoming and the stock made me want to come back and explore. Plainfield has a gem of a gift shop in the Tawny Tortoise; don’t be slow to get in and check it out.