The Present Moment To Close at End of January

By the end of January, a beloved downtown Libertyville store will be gone. , a gift shop focused on spiritual journeys and meditation, opened in 2006 on Milwaukee Avenue. It since has become a hub for workshops, discussion circles, and on- and off-site events.

Among all of the products, events, and ideas that owner Sue Opeka has brought to  over the years, one of the most popular and inspirational has been her Pay It Forward program for girls.

“It’s something that I feel very passionate about,” Opeka said. “I’m going to figure out a way to keep it going at least locally.”

Pay It Forward Program

The program began after Opeka heard a story from a patron’s daughter about being bullied at school. Inspired by the child’s story, Opeka began selling the Pay It Forward program kits, which consist of three charms and a card. Each participating girl is asked to perform acts of kindness for others, to pass on the charms to the recipient and to ask each one to do the same. The girls could record their experiences on the card and display it in the store. Since its inception, thousands of girls have “paid it forward.”

“I have all of the materials and supplies and I’ll just keep making the kits and going out and making the presentations,” Opeka said. “I feel like it’s a program that I started as a store owner, but it’s something that can live on on its own.”

She plans to continue giving presentations on the program, including at two upcoming events at Rondout School and the  Mother-Daughter Tea.

Keeping the Chocolate Business

In addition to the Pay It Forward Program, Opeka plans to continue selling ’s exclusive chocolates. While there has been interest among downtown merchants, Opeka first wants to open the opportunity up to her manufacturer.

“I would want the manufacturing rights to stay with the woman who makes them now, because one of the things that people love about them is the taste,” she said.

Many of Opeka’s plans are preliminary, including continuing off-site events. She admits she’ll have more time to make them more concrete after the store closes.

“When I set out to open this store, my mantra was ‘Beyond retail,’ ” Opeka said. “I wanted to build community and have more than just a store. And I succeeded with that, but what I ended up doing was building a pretty big operation here.”

Closing to Have Better Quality of Life

Opeka says she saw intense growth in her workshops and discussions. In the beginning, she recalls having to seek out speakers, whereas she is now sought out nationwide by professionals in the spiritual, meditative, and healing arts.

After growing her events, running the retail side, and a Christmas season where she "walked around like a zombie," Opeka decided it was time to take a breather.

“Retail takes a lot out of you. It really controls your life. Believe me, I love my store. I love what we’re all about,” she said. “My daughter asked me how I can walk away from something I love, but how can I preach about making choices for the quality of her life if I don’t do it for myself.”

Opeka says that after the store closes, she hopes to continue off-site events, plans to travel, and wants to find out what people do on a Saturday afternoon. Despite these plans, she still admits that in a year, she may miss her store and start all over again.

“The outpouring of emotion has just been a little scary to me, but it’s time for somebody else to do this,” Opeka said. “And it’s the kind of calls I’m getting. So, I don’t know. Stay tuned is what I’ve been telling people.”

Related Articles: