New 'Turkey' Store A Nod To Social Media Craze

CHICAGO, IL — A sweet-scented new gift shop that celebrates a variety of art forms is now open in the city's Beverly neighborhood. "Turkey" first opened to the public at the 99th and Walden Parkway business corridor on Sept. 8, business owner and neighborhood resident Amy Kaskie said.

When customers walk in to Turkey, 9913 S. Walden Parkway they are greeted by the sweet smell of Palo Santo. Kaskie describes the place as a gift shop that focuses on lifestyle. Popular items thus far have included pottery, jewelry and candles.

"We just wanted to be softly curated with independent creators and ethnically created goods," Kaskie said.

The store's name was born a few years back during the "wild turkey" craze that spread through the neighborhood's social media channels. A wild turkey, as Kaskie remembers having visit her yard many a fall morning, was making its way through different parts of the neighborhood as residents would take photos and share them on social media.

"The turkey was spotted all over Beverly," Kaskie remembers. "For months, we would wake up and be in the yard and follow us down the hill when leaving to drive our kids to school."

The craze brought people together and formed a sense of community, hence the connection to what Kaskie says her store is all about. A former yoga teacher and mental health professional who focuses on spirituality, Kaskie said she looked up what having a turkey around means and found it to, indeed, symbolize "community."

"Community is big here," Kaskie said. "We want this to be about growing your roots and stepping into your power."

Hence why phrases like "abundance" and "blessing from nature" are displayed in the front window.

Turkey is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Photo: Amy Kaskie stands in front of her new store at 99th and Walden Parkway / Courtesy of Jana Anderson