Relics Antique Mall and Tea Room: Largest Antique Mall in Missouri

Connie Missouri, Shopping November 2, 2015November 2, 2015antique mall springfield mo, antique shops, antique stores springfield mo, antiques springfield mo, food in springfield mo, food springfield mo, in springfield missouri, relics antique mall, relics antique mall springfield, relics antique mall springfield missouri, relics antique mall springfield mo, relics antique mall tea room, relics antiques, restaurant springfield missouri, restaurant springfield mo, restaurants springfield mo, springfield missouri shopping, springfield mo shopping, stores in springfield mo 0 Comment

Row upon row of French and English antique china cabinets, dining tables and beds…booths stacked with nostalgic toys that bring back childhood memories…fashion jewelry just right to complete your outfit…the perfect statue or painting to add pizazz to your newly decorated room. Over 500 vendors in 90,000 square feet of space make Relics Antique Mall in Springfield, Missouri, the state’s largest store of its kind. In fact, Relics is so large that it’s a destination in itself, complete with a tea room so you don’t even have to leave for lunch.

Pease’s Candy: Five Generations of Sweet Confection

Connie Illinois, Shopping September 4, 2015November 4, 2015Pease's Candy, Springfield IL shops 2 Comments

Pease’s Candy has been a staple in Springfield, Illinois, since 1930. The chocolate company still uses many of the same recipes for their confections that they’ve used for a hundred years. Folks who live in the Springfield area are bound to be familiar with the pink box filled chocolate goodness, but you don’t even have to visit Springfield to enjoy this local tradition.

Browsing Downtown Hayward, Wisconsin, Shops

Connie Shopping, Wisconsin July 28, 2015Hayward, Hayward WI, Hayward Wisconsin 6 Comments

Browsing downtown shopping areas has become one of my favorite things to do when visiting a resort town. Along with souvenir and t-shirt shops, I’ll often find unique gift shops, wine tasting rooms, specialty food stores and boutiques. Inevitably I pick up a treat or two. Hayward, a resort town in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, is one of those towns. We spent an entire afternoon shopping and sampling our way through Hayward on our trip there last summer.

Askinosie: Single-Source Beans to Chocolate

Connie Agritourism, Missouri, Shopping July 6, 2015January 8, 2018Askinosie, Askinosie Chocolate, Chocolate, Springfield Missouri, Springfield MO 2 Comments

I’ve tasted artisan dark chocolate candies from shops throughout the Midwest. I’ve savored every bit of every chocolate I’ve nibbled: chocolate infused with flavors like rosemary or chili; beautiful chocolates with a colorful coating painted like artwork; and decadent dark chocolate truffles. But until I discovered Askinosie Chocolate, I had never had an artisan chocolate made completely from scratch, starting with the bean.

A Day in Downtown Rapid City

Connie Attractions & Events, Food & Drink, Shopping, South Dakota June 6, 2015April 2, 2018Art Alley, Black Hills Bagels, Downtown Rapid City, Firehouse Brewing Company, Firehouse Wine Cellars, Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza, Hotel Alex Johnson, Journey Museum, Prairie Edge, Rapid City, rapid city attractions, Rapid City restaurants, Rapid City SD, Rapid City South Dakota, Sanfords Grub n Pub, South Dakota, South Dakota attractions 18 Comments

Traveling to South Dakota to visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and all the natural beauty in the Black Hills and Badlands, you’ll most likely fly into or drive through Rapid City. The walkable downtown area of Rapid City itself is worth a visit, whether you spend a day at the beginning of your trip or take a break from Mother Nature mid-trip.

Meet Rick Fisher, Magician and Ventriloquist

Connie Attractions & Events, Michigan, Shopping May 9, 2015September 6, 2017Colon Michigan, FAB Magic Company, Magic, Magic festival, Michigan, Michigan attractions, Michigan shops 2 Comments

With a wave of his hand, magician Rick Fisher turns several uneven lengths of rope into even pieces. He has me tug on the ropes to verify they are taut. With another wave of a hand, the ropes are back to being uneven lengths.