Judy Maxwell Home

Gift shop · Old Town

Judy Maxwell Home

Gift shop · Old Town

2

1349 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610

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Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null
Judy Maxwell Home by null

Highlights

Whimsical gifts, prints, books, home goods, local crafts  

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1349 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 Get directions

judymaxwellhome.com
@judymaxwellhome

$$

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1349 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 Get directions

+1 312 787 9999
judymaxwellhome.com
@judymaxwellhome

$$

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Last updated

Aug 22, 2025

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@onthegrid

On the Grid : Judy Maxwell

"The brainchild of actress Joan Cusack, Judy Maxwell Home is full of well sweet, and sometimes silly, curated items for the home. Perfect for quick gifts, local crafts and last minute surprises, just be sure you have time to really wander around this rustic and hilarious Old Town gem!" - Kake

https://onthegrid.city/chicago/old-town/judy-maxwell
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@onthegrid

"Judy Maxwell, Old Town. The brainchild of actress Joan Cusack, Judy Maxwell Home is full of well sweet, and sometimes silly, curated items for the home. Perfect for quick gifts, local crafts and last minute surprises, just be sure you have time to really wander around this rustic and hilarious Old Town gem!"

Chicago
View Postcard for Judy Maxwell Home

Vadym Teliachyi

Google
This place is amazing! You’ll find everything you need, and even a bit more. It’s like a museum, but with new stuff every few weeks, so it’s never boring!

Julia J

Google
Such a funky gift shop with a huge variety of unique items that hit every price point. Even goodies and posh apparel for your furry family members. That's the glassy-eyed Mr. Beans enjoying his obviously high quality "Duuuude" catnip toy. So adorably chill...

Dusty Ray

Google
I was in Chicago visiting my daughter and her girlfriend we made our way to JMH it is a wonderful boutique gift shop that feels very welcoming and friendly just like it’s owner, Joan happened to be at work setting up displays and visiting with customers, we had a wonderful chat about being a shop owner and how my wife and I raised our 3 children in a Colorado gift shop, I loved the gifts, the owner is doing an amazing job picking out the inventory and keeping it hip! We got some awesome coasters and magnets a few books and stickers, This is a must see shop! You will love their selection and the vibe is perfect 👍 Thank you for all you do Joan to make this universe just a little more fun and filled with positivity

Meggie Mangione

Google
Adorable, kitschy and full of unique finds! Worth a browse! Support local small business over Amazon when possible!

Kai Rose

Google
5 Stars – A Chicago Gem! Judy Maxwell is a delightful treasure trove of unique finds, vintage charm, and laugh-out-loud gifts. It’s the perfect spot to discover something fun for yourself or anyone who appreciates a good sense of humor. Every inch of the shop feels thoughtfully curated and full of personality. A must-visit for anyone in Chicago who loves a little whimsy while they shop!

Kait

Google
Great experience, great customer service, great items in the shop, they go above and beyond. I could spend hours in this store. I can’t say enough great things.

Susan Tennant

Google
Love this place! Go in every time I am in the neighborhood and always leave with a treasure or two. (And a smile on my face!)

Valery Levitt

Google
This store is such a gem. Not only is it so much fun to shop here, but it has such unique gifts that you would never think to get for people on your own. I always find the best Christmas and birthday presents for my family and they’re super hard to shop for. The owner is kind and helpful and who didn’t love supporting small businesses in the days of so many global corporations. This is a must visit for anyone walking along Wells.
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michael s.

Yelp
This place is crazy unique. One of the best fun/funny gifts stores anywhere. High quality stuff, beautifully curated, great interesting and hilarious. And if Dame Joan Cusak is there, you will have a quintessential Chicago experience. 10/10, would recommend!

Steve H.

Yelp
It was really cool. Found some awesome stuff we couldn't find anywhere else. And the staff went above and beyond to find the Jane Austen product for us.
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Siobhan D.

Yelp
Super neat shop! We loved the greeting cards, art books, pins, Chicago postcards, and especially loved the more unique objects for sale, like the NASA-patched toddler bomber jacket and wooden tree swings! Staff was super friendly and helpful. Everything was displayed beautifully. Very tidy and organized. I bought a funny greeting card and it was packaged up in a cute paper popcorn bag! A lovely touch.

Vic V.

Yelp
I took my daughter to the Judy Maxwell Gift Shop without thinking twice. We were staying at the Marriott Midway so talk about a drive to go to just 1 place in Chitown on a pit stop before returning home to the middle of nowhere, Texas. Once in the shop I fell in love with all the irreverent language every which way I turned. I also found a Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs cap I bought for my other daughter since she's a big Frazier fan. Once inside I found out who Judy Maxwell is and basically thought WTF!! I'll be back to also visit Orso's right next door to provar piacere di cucina Italiana.

Erika B.

Yelp
This is why small business is so important. Exceptional customer service, personalized touches, whether a handwritten thank you card, holding a special item, the care taken with packing. Amazing, fun selection. It feels like the "Cheers" of shopping, where everyone knows your name. Quick shipping. Low turnover of staff or management. If only they'd franchise to Minnesota.

Audre K.

Yelp
This store is so much fun! There really is something for everyone. Haven't met Joan but everyone who works there is super nice! Prices are reasonable and I love that they purchase stock from other small businesses and artists.
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Tammy J.

Yelp
This curious little shop is a blissful marriage of humor, nostalgia, and quirkiness. The staff is incredibly welcoming and friendly, and the shop itself looks like a step back in time. They have a delightful collection of clever greeting cards, silly socks, puzzles, games, toys, books, jewelry, candles, and nostalgic Chicago goods. Today's haul included finger puppets, retro candy, mood rings, a few cards, and a small tin of fried chicken candy. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Choose the small journal that's titled "Psychiatric Notes About My Dog." Treat yourself to a few pairs of tiny foot puppets for your fingers, then have finger races and dance-offs with your friends, family, or the person sitting next to you on a plane. This place is awesome!
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Christina S.

Yelp
Love that Old Town and Wells Street in particular offer small family owned restaurants, stores, and businesses! Love that Judy Maxwell Home offers a general store atmosphere with cards and unique gifts. Love the VOTE 2020 selection of dog collars, leashes, necklaces, and prayer candles featuring Kamala Harris and Joe Biden! Lots of great books as well.....truly unique!
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Matt M.

Yelp
This place was (believe it or not!) the highlights of my last trip to Chicago. ( usually avoid gift shops with a certain level of assiduousness reserved for Jehovah's Witnesses and the bubonic plague; it's true.) That said, some very clever and infinitely funny Chicagoan friends who live in Boystown convinced me to visit this charming little shop with them. (They're the same friends who turned me on to fried sprats and cold beer on the pier, mmmkay? These are GOOD friends, folks.) I ended up spending a couple of hundred bucks and now have oodles of great little stocking stuffers for my family back in Oklahoma City. Yay. Yay. YAY. #WillReturn
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Ted K.

Yelp
A shop for out of the ordinary gifts and cards. Shop here to be generous and kind to people you love. And funny. This place is the shopping equivalent of eating warm chocolate chip cookies. They did a great job at creating a placid atmosphere that seems designed to help you enjoy the pleasure of browsing. No rush. Take your time. There are plenty of interesting things to guide your eyes through the store. I get the feeling that the Oldtown chamber of commerce would like the rest of the stores on Wells to be more like JMH. It suits the Oldtown area brand. The almanac says it's going to be a rough winter, so don't put off shopping. Come check out the displays. They gift wrap items too. Joan Cusack might be the nicest person I have ever met. She was a customer in a place I used to work and was super cool. That comes across in this store.
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Andrew J.

Yelp
Great fun! Lots of cute and funny gifts and stuff! Always something new. Definitely the local spot for retail therapy and a laugh! I need that!
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Jann L.

Yelp
My daughter and I discovered this gem, a purveyor of whimsy that I recommend checking out. I could easily spend awhile exploring the unique and lovely things curated here. You will find something of a treasure that you cannot leave without purchasing! The team was also completely on board when I called to arrange a birthday gift surprise for my daughter. Thank you Dan!!

Marisa S.

Yelp
This gift shop is a gem in Old Town! Truly unique and custom items that will be sure to make someone feel special (and even laugh). Great customer service too!
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Adrienne G.

Yelp
Joan Cusack sold me a jar of honey BFF & I were walking around Old Town when we see this fun window display w/ all kinds of neat bric-a-brac Judy Maxwell Home - a fun curio shop owned by Joan Cusack - had a very eclectic collection w/ a wonderfully random bit of everything like Barnum & Bailey's Animal Cracker boxes, some fun costume jewelry, there was the pay phone in the window, a football helmet, some antique furniture, the gift baskets, some china pattern type dishes displayed on antique type table. Also, some funny cards....... .....and lots of jars of what I think I see as "Local Raw Honey". This immediately caught my eye as I am a big believer of the benefits of raw honey & I like to grab honeys from my travels Sure enough, it is confirmed that this is indeed raw honey, locally sourced - that's all I needed to hear! Thick & very mild flavor - this honey would be great w/ sweet & savory dishes alike. I could see using it in coffee or drizzled over cheese (just to name a couple uses) Joan happened to be in the shop on the day we visited & she explained how they use the honey w/ other things from their Tisane setup to have drinkys on cold fall / wintry days.....such a fantastic idea The shop was getting ready for the holiday season & starting to put together "themes" of gifts on their shelves - which would make it very easy to grab a unique & fun holiday gift.....they already did all the thinking & put it all together for you Definitely worth a stop if in the Old Town area - lots to discover & enjoy!
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Danielle J.

Yelp
This is an interesting shop! It's a perfect place to buy a gift. It has comical gifts, "gag gifts," and legit thoughtful gifts. I bought a wooden scrabble tile with my initial. Three of us perused the store for quite some time and probably picked up everything in there saying "look at this!" It's worth a stop when you are walking the neighborhood or if you need a unique gift!
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Kim H.

Yelp
Had to exchange a Christmas present given to the fur baby. Great ladies helped pick out the cutest replacement. Wonder Gracie Mae!
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Justin C.

Yelp
This place is awesome. The staff is Fuck'n awesome. The products are hilarious. I highly recommend visiting them.
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Ceyda E.

Yelp
Love this place! Perfect for gifts --for yourself and others. They have everything--for babies, kids, adults. Games, puzzles and beautiful kitchen items. Very kind owners and staff too.

Emily A.

Yelp
Such a fun place for birthday cards, gifts, and funny things to make you laugh. Love their window displays and creative nature!
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Jules S.

Yelp
This is a neighbor gem of a store in Old Town, Chicago. Great cards and gifts from inexpensive to investments, fun toys for all ages, hilarious tchotchkes and the best of all, super friendly and knowledgeable staff.
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carolyn r.

Yelp
LOVE this store! When they first opened, the fantastical window display immediately grabbed my attention. I wasn't even sure of what it was but I knew I liked it! Once they officially opened my feelings were confirmed. I dig it!!! Super cool vintage wares, cool art, cards, jewelry, locally sourced natural products, home decor of all kinds and...just treasures everywhere. What's more is that if you are a fan of anything I just listed, the staff will happily geek out with you whilst on your journey through the store. I love this addition to the neighborhood. Yay!!!
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Bink P.

Yelp
Always find random things here...like this baby outfit which they wrapped up like a Chicago style hot dog!!
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Cristine A.

Yelp
My friend and I went in the store today and giggled and giggled over all of the fantastic finds--this place is SO much fun. I was visiting from out of town and had wanted to stop by, it was truly a treat. Joan is the ultimate hostess and it's no surprise that her adorable personality is all over Judy Maxwell!
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Laurice S.

Yelp
Super cute spot with quirky off beat brands and unique gifts. My husband bought a gift here for his work's white elephant gift exchange. It's a little more pricey for some of the merchandise but it's a fun shopping experience browsing things. Nice bonus was that they wrapped our gifts for free.

Omar S.

Yelp
Nice, friendly little shop. Cute whimsical items priced appropriately for such a shop. It's no more than a five minute walk through, definitely could use twice as many products. Employees friendly and fun.

A Food P.

Yelp
I was attracted to this cute little shop because of the gigantic pink flamingo in the window and upon entering this adorable shop, I found the cutest knickknacks, gifts, gag gifts, and toys. I bought a gift for my daughter (which she loved) and I could have purchased everything in the store had I had enough money. If you need a gift for anyone from new born baby to adult, this is your store. I loved it!
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Matt H.

Yelp
Living in the area, I have made sure to stop in at least once every couple months. Upon entry you will find an assortment of random and fun items. From postcards to books to coffee table items and more. There is always something new to catch my eye. If you are in the area, I recommend taking 10 pr 15 minutes to give it a whirl.
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Denise S.

Yelp
It is such an amazing store. Great for fun gifts, gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and I have yet to leave without buying myself something too! Staff is fun , knowledgeable & not at all pushy!
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Meghan H.

Yelp
This place is fantastic, and thankfully so close to my work! It has saved me multiple times when I am in "last-minute gift" situations. The staff is fun and friendly, and there are always new items to look at. Sometimes I stop in on my lunch break just to look around, because something usually makes me smile or laugh. My friends and family are always pleasantly surprised with the gifts I get from Judy Maxwell Home, because they are unique items that can't be found just anywhere. It's great to have shopping options like this in Old Town.

Nell M.

Yelp
Delightful surprises, items you did not know you needed, and perfect gifts for the hardest-to-buy for -- that is the enticing assortment you will find in this adorable little island of whimsy and wit curated by one of Hollywood's most delightful performers, Joan Cusack. The store is named for one of her favorite movie characters, the madcap Barbra Streisand role in "What's Up Doc?" The staff is friendly and encouraging, but never pushy, and they are happy to have your items autographed by Ms. Cusack, if you like. From delightfully goofy to oh-no-they-didn't outrageous, there is something here for everyone.

Carey T.

Yelp
Very cool store. Clerk was great. Got some neat items for daughter's dorm. Something for everybody.