In another life, Ellen Holthaus made a living as a nurse.  But about five years ago she did an about face and took a part time job at Multiple Choices in Winnetka.  The mother of two who lives in Glenview ultimately purchased the store in January of this year and renamed it Ellen's on Elm.

Multiple Choices has been a gem of a gift store for many years and a staple in downtown Winnetka.  Winnetka resident Pat Horne opened the store in 1985 at 841 Elm St. and in 2001 she opened a second store in Lincoln Park which continues to operate as Multiple Choices by her daughter.  But when Pat Horne suddenly decided to retire, Ellen seized the opportunity to buy the Winnetka store.

Ellen's approach to running her new store has been to "keep the best of Multiple Choices while bringing in new, fresh items that customers want."  People who have come into the new store comment that it feels different, a little more bright and lively. Ellen is planning some fun promotions in the coming months to stir new interest and keep customers engaged and excited. You can sense her excitement as she discusses her ideas.

And in spite of opening her new store in January 2009 in the midst of our current economic downturn, business has been good.  Ellen's on Elm, as Multiple Choices before, has always had a nice range of price points from as little as $25 up to $200.  I never fail to find the perfect gift at Ellen's partly because of the wonderful variety including pottery, platters, pitchers, tableware, soaps, candles, children's items, clothing, decorative items and more unique items than I can ever list here.

Her biggest selling and most popular item is the Mariposa line, followed by a great line of plastic dinnerware that my eye could not tell from the real thing and would be a perfect item to take to Ravinia for your next outdoor picnic.  She decided to keep the Vera Bradley line, not because we old gals like it, but because it's so popular with the 'tweens.  Groups of girls come in after school and crowd around the Vera Bradley display, checking out all the offerings before finally deciding which ones to buy.

A new line that Ellen brought in is Johnnie-O, a traditional, casual line of shirts, shorts, belts, and accessories primarly for men.  The company was founded by local actor Chris O'Donnell's brother and has proven to be a good seller.

Ellen Holthaus, owner of Ellen's on Elm (left) and her store manager, Judy Riley.

 Dried flower display (left)

Aluminum giftware (right)

 Children's Line (left)

 Johnnie-O Casual Clothing (right)

Ellen's on Elm is open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 5:30 and is closed on Sunday duirng the summer months (it will be open after Labor Day on Sundays from 11-3)

841 Elm St, Winnetka, IL.  847-441-5244.