It was a rainy, dreary day in the Tri-States and I needed a reprieve from it. It was early in downtown Galena, and many of the shops still hadn't opened. Then there was a place that offered a colorful sheen on top of a friendly atmosphere, inviting before I even walked through the door.

That place is Poopsie's, a staple shop located on Galena's Main Street, which looks beautiful rain or shine, mind you. Poopsie's is a candy-colored gifts and toys shop, stocked with squishy balls, robot kits, puzzles, books, crafts, desk ornaments, candy, and almost too much to name.

All of these things are fun to talk about, but they're even more fun to show. Below, I'll show you what caught my eye at Poopsie's.

Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
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If you're like me and recently moved, or maybe are just looking for a new sense of style for a particular room, Poopsie's has a bounty of items that would serve as attractive décor. Just as impressive as the selection is the artwork on some of these.

Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
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Living in the Tri-States area, I've already become accustomed to seeing a litany of signs, flags, and decals for a barrage of different teams anytime I'm out. Poopsie's tags all the bases, repping the Bears, Packers, Cubs, White Sox, and Hawkeyes. One of many things I found myself staring at: the massive, detail-oriented jigsaw puzzles of different stadiums (you can see the Hawkeyes Stadium pictured above).

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My aunt is a huge Golden Girls fan, and I just got some ideas about what to get her for her birthday. Almost anyone could smile at a Betty White candle.

Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
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Or if Friends is more your speed, all the major characters of the beloved sitcom are emblazoned on candles of their own. Someone has a shrine of Friends with these aglow every night, I just know it. But I also sense that someone's Friends collection is missing these!

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This Mini Zen Garden is gonna find its way to my desk in due time. It's a small kit that comes with a miniature garden, a bag of sand, a rake, and some other garden ornaments. The idea is to draw patterns in the sand with the rake to ease your mind. It serves as a stress reliever. I had enough fun with the sample garden that I think I'm going to double-back and get one of my own. One needs a break during their radio show from time to time!

Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
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Speaking of stress relievers, there are these squishy food items that serve the same purpose. I found the spaghetti to be the most satisfying, texture-wise.

Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
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And then there's the "Toy Towers," sure to be the apple of yours or your child's eyes. You can unearth various treasures here: puzzles, shakers, dolls, pencils, bandages, books, trinkets, etc.

So, what exactly makes Poopsie's so magical? Beyond the welcoming employees and the variety of colors, I think it's just the warmth a store like this can provide — especially on a rainy day. Places like this are fun because they take you in whatever shape you're in. Furthermore, you're more than likely to emerge having just found the perfect "treat yourself" gift for you or a friend.

Poopsie's is located at 402 S. Main Street in Galena. You can check them out (and order) online here!

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