We’ve all been there – that moment when you want a special card or gift for someone and just can’t think of what to get. Emily Gloekler decided to convert that universal challenge into a retail opportunity in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago with her store, One Strange Bird. “The community needs a fun place to be creative and find great gifts,” Emily stated.

Emily’s vision for One Strange Bird takes gift giving to stratospheric heights.

“We have everything at One Strange Bird from onesies, cards, candles, dish towels, books, everything you could need,” explained Emily. “We just like to have lots of different things and make you smile, to make you laugh.”

But what seems to distinguish One Strange Bird is its commitment to its community, and its aisles of merchandise which reflect Emily’s support for other artists and entrepreneurs.

“I like to curate from different designers that have the same ethics as me, to make people smile, to make people laugh, and support other women-run businesses,” said Emily with a smile.

The shop’s name itself reflects Emily’s own personal philosophy.

“I think everybody is a little strange bird,” exclaimed Emily. “And I’m definitely One Strange Bird. I love it. I like being unique. I like being different. I don’t wanna be the same.”

One Strange Bird also offers a creative space and an opportunity for customers to let their inner artist emerge.

“I wanted to provide a space for the community to come in, be able to have fun, learn different techniques, and art,” said Emily. “I wanted to provide art classes for the community. I wanted it to be for kids. We have decoupage vases, wreath-making, and lots of different options.”

Through her treasure trove of gifts and art classes, the store’s connectivity to community is one of the qualities Emily loves most about owning her shop.

“I love interacting with people. I love being able to teach them something, bring smiles to their faces, make them happy,” explained Emily. “Having the kids come in and seeing how they grow throughout the years from being tiny babies, and being able to explore painting and different textures… I know that I have an impact in their life.”

One Strange Bird is hatched

The story of One Strange Bird spans two continents and took flight originally in Africa where Emily had an urge to create positive change.

“I’ve had this business (One Strange Bird) coming up for six years,” explained Emily. “The business concept (for One Strange Bird) actually started in Tanzania in 2012. At one point, I was running my shop in Tanzania and the shop here in Chicago. Originally, I started my shop in Tanzania when I was on maternity leave with my daughter and decided that I needed a creative outlet.”

“I was working in Tanzania with a microfinance and a global health organization and I ended up starting my shop there really wanting to work with the local people and build something in which I can employ the local staff and provide, you know, a fun place for people,” said Emily. “That was a lot of plane hours. A lot of travel. It was very hectic and at some point, I wanted to focus more of my efforts here in Chicago.”

“My secret sauce to keeping One Strange Bird afloat for six years is energy, love, time, and just having fun.”

A community hub with global flair

One Strange Bird is more than just a shop – it’s a welcome neighbor in Wicker Park.

“We live in the neighborhood; my daughter goes to school down the street. We’re part of the Wicker Park Chamber and the West Town Chamber,” said Emily. “We have a lot of neighborhood clientele that come in regularly, and I love to just talk with everybody and find out what’s going on, and it’s kind of like we all know each other.”

The eclectic inventory at One Strange Bird is a reflection of Emily’s approach to the DNA of her store. As customers stroll around, they are pulled in a wide range of directions by curious and inviting knickknacks including aromatic candles, slightly randy and irreverent T-shirts for women, intricate handcrafted jewelry, adorable onesies, children’s toys, books and accessories. One Strange Bird did not forget about the gentleman either, with fascinating and funny socks and other novelty merchandise.

“One Strange Bird has so many things in it, because every time I find things, I think of my customers, what people want, how they can use it,” said Emily with a grin.

It’s not just about finding products to sell. It’s also about creating, which is at the heart of One Strange Bird.

“We make many things at the shop here, from cards, mugs, onesies, and I love making things. I love learning new crafts,” said Emily. “I think there’s nothing in the world that you can’t do. So, I figure, you know, when you want something, just make it.”

Running the shop, organizing and leading the store’s art classes, and keeping One Strange Bird flying high is no small feat, especially for a single parent.

“Finding time for everything is a balance,” said Emily. “I’m a single mom. I have my daughter one hundred percent of the time. She comes in and helps. It’s definitely a family-run business. I do have part-time help that helps out with our art classes, and helping out in the retail space as well.”

The challenges of being a full-time single mom and running One Small Bird are not lost on Emily. But, she says she would not have it any other way.

“My advice for any single mom who wants to start a business is to follow your path, follow your dream. Really, find something that you love and go for it,” said Emily with a proud smile. “Being able to support a family running a small business is definitely daunting. It’s hard. You have to rely on yourself. But, I also think that’s what drives you and what pushes you to be better and to grow. But also to know that you’re good enough and you’re doing a good job. So, stay with it.”

Emily says her vision for One Strange Bird is nowhere near finished, and conceded that she has ambitious plans for the future.

“One of the long-term goals for One Strange Bird is to provide more classes for the community. We’ve started providing more free classes on the weekends for people that maybe can’t afford it or don’t have time during the week,” explained Emily. “There’s so many facets in which we can expand – more wholesale, making more items, providing more classes for the community.”

For those who can’t visit the Wicker Park location in person, many of the store’s unique products are available beyond the four walls of One Strange Bird.

“I also design jewelry, and we wholesale to different stores,” noted Emily. “So, if you can’t make it to Chicago, you can shop online or find one of your local retailers that carry our items.”

The bird has a nest

Emily believes in her Wicker Park neighborhood and what it means for her store to be part of this vibrant community.

“I love being a retailer because I get to engage with the community every day. Talk to people, make people smile and just have fun,” said Emily with a laugh. “My customers come in and I engage with them. I have the same people that come in time and time again. I know what’s going on in their lives. It’s kind of a fun environment just to be able to know everyone coming in the door, walk down the street, see the kids from my art class and they call out. ‘Hi Miss Emily.’ It’s fun. It’s a great neighborhood community.”

“What I’d like the people of Illinois to know about retail is that you need to support your small businesses. We are the community. We are the ones who talk to the aldermen, clean up the streets and provide spaces for your children,” expressed Emily. “So, I think it’s important for everyone to realize to shop small businesses and support your small businesses. So instead of going to the big box stores to pick up that card or that notebook, come to your local One Strange Bird and buy your card. Because if we’re not around, you’ll have a lot of empty storefronts and the community suffers. So, you really need to support your small businesses.”