La Grange received a welcome spotlight this week as five local businesses were featured on CBS Chicago’s popular “Jump Start with Jackie” holiday segments. Reporter Jackie Kostek visited town on Tuesday to showcase the vibrant small-business community that powers Hometown Holidays and makes La Grange a regional destination for shopping, dining, and celebrating the season.
Four Sons Mercantile, Jack’s West End, MION Artisan Soap, Wooden Paddle, and Little Charm were all highlighted as part of the series. While the YouTube recap includes four of the five stops, each business contributed to an impressive showcase of the creativity, personality, and entrepreneurial spirit that define La Grange.
Four Sons Mercantile: A Family Legacy with a Modern Style
Kostek began the morning inside Four Sons Mercantile, a men’s clothing and lifestyle shop rooted in a multigenerational La Grange retail family. Brothers AJ and Colin walked viewers through their curated brands, from Faherty and Marine Layer to Taylor Stitch and Long Wharf Supply. CBS highlighted their top holiday sellers, including sweaters, cords, insulated jackets, and their popular “white elephant” gift section complete with cocktail syrups, hot cocoa mixes, and kitchen favorites.
The segment underscored how the store balances coastal influence with a distinctly Midwestern feel and carries something for every man on your gift list.
Jack’s West End: A Store Built Around a Renaissance Man
Across the tracks, Kostek stopped at Jack’s West End, where co-owner Susan McMillan shared the store’s origins: a once-joking idea about “a shop that sells everything Jack likes” became a post-COVID reality.
CBS showcased winter apparel and outerwear that fits seamlessly into men’s everyday life, including vests, overcoats, transitional shackets, and the ever-popular quarter-zips. The store’s curated selection reflects Jack’s many hobbies and passions, from music and the outdoors to local artwork.
The feature reinforced Jack’s West End as a gift destination that blends personality, practicality, and a little local flair.
MION Artisan Soap: Natural, Handcrafted Wellness
Next, Kostek visited MION Artisan Soap, where founder Olga shared her journey from solving her own skin issues to building a thriving multi-location skincare brand over the past decade.
CBS highlighted MION’s natural ingredients, including organic olive oil, coconut oil, herbs, and essential oils. The segment also showcased customizable gift sets, bestselling soaps and scrubs, face-care products, wellness salves, and moisturizers.
Viewers saw why MION has become a beloved stop during the holiday season: high-quality, natural, hand-crafted skincare products that make meaningful gifts.
Wooden Paddle: Wood-Fired Flavor and Community
The tour wrapped with a visit to Wooden Paddle, La Grange’s newest restaurant addition after opening in March. Co-owner Brianna Cowan introduced viewers to the wood-fired pizzas that built their Lemont location’s following and explained how the brand has expanded into catering and weddings across the region.
CBS emphasized Wooden Paddle’s focus on shareable food, warm hospitality, and the perfect atmosphere for date nights and gatherings. The segment reinforced that dining local is an essential part of supporting La Grange’s small business community during the holidays.
Little Charm: A Fifth Feature Worth Noting
While the YouTube compilation did not include the stop at Little Charm, the children’s boutique was part of CBS’s coverage Tuesday. Little Charm is beloved for its clothing, books, plush toys, accessories, and holiday giftables for newborn through age eight. Their inclusion reflects the breadth of La Grange’s retail landscape and the family-focused businesses that make Hometown Holidays special.
A Proud Moment for La Grange
Hometown Holidays exists to celebrate and uplift the small businesses that anchor our village. CBS Chicago’s spotlight offered viewers across the region a closer look at the talent, innovation, and warmth that define our business community.
The LGBA extends congratulations to all five featured businesses and appreciation to Jackie Kostek and CBS Chicago for supporting local entrepreneurship during one of the most important seasons of the year.
If you missed the segment, you can watch the four-shop compilation clip below.