The spirit of the U.P. burns bright in downtown Houghton. Visitors enjoy strolling through the historic strip and popping into businesses for authentic cuisine, handmade goods and Upper Peninsula memorabilia. Especially loved by visitors is Chickadees, a gift store stocked with adorable knick-knacks, stylish clothing and zany novelty items for every audience.
I have personally purchased a variety of items from Chickadees. For my fiancé, I bought a WoodWick candle, which have a unique wick that crackles as it burns. The sound is reminiscent of a fall campfire. The scents of these candles are potent. The candle need only burn for a few minutes to fill an entire home with a warm, inviting scent. Chickadees offers a wide selection of WoodWick candles in a number of different shapes, scents and sizes.
A significant portion of Chickadees’ products are Upper Peninsula themed, making it a perfect place for college students to look for gifts for family members. There are both wearable and decorative items available. Chickadees carries both men’s and women’s clothing, although the women’s selection is somewhat larger. Many items in their merchandise are handcrafted by local to the UP.
“They have very unique products,” said Janelle Putala, a local resident. “Their prices are fair and you can always find something different. They sell a lot of different styles.”
For my mother, I purchased an adorable hedgehog figurine that was designed to look like a pinecone dusted in snow. It added an extra dose of cheer to my mom’s holiday decor. Frankly, I could have bought any item in the store and I’m sure my mother would have loved it. There are as many mom-themed products at Chickadees as there are UP products.
Although I tried to resist, I ended up buying something for myself, too. Of all the items Chickadees carries, my favorites are their headbands. They sell a particular variety of headband that can be worn in a multitude of fashions. The one I chose is blue and green with bright gold threading. It can be expanded to cover the entire head or compressed into a thin band. It enhances every outfit. I would highly recommend it to other shoppers.
On the whole, Chickadees adds a bit of sophistication to our sleepy town. Chickadees manages to combine sassy products with signature elegance, and, in that way, it distinguishes itself from the other gift shops one might stumble upon while strolling downtown. To learn more about Chickadees, please visit www. chickadees.biz or search for Chickadees on Facebook. Chickadees has locations in Marquette as well as Houghton.
