Preferably as few as possible.

Isn’t it nice to go into one store and know you are going to come out with the perfect gift?

Yes, it is. That happens at Stella.

For what upcoming holiday is buying a gift important?

Mother’s Day. It’s this Sunday.

Do you have a great gift for Mother’s Day?

No! There’s not a lot of time left!

Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. No matter what her taste or style, Stella has that unique item that will show Mom — or Grandma or Daughter or whomever is that special person in your life — just how much you care.

Let us help you take care of Mom for Mother’s Day. And by having to make only one stop to find that perfect gift, we’re taking care of you too.

This beauty is from Chicago designer Carole Richey.

This has been a big year for Stella. The unique boutique went through a complete makeover before celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a big bash. And the transformation isn’t over.

Throughout the month of May, Stella will be hosting an indoor art festival celebrating local and national artists.

Dubbed the Pop Up Shop, Stella will feature handcrafted jewelry, home decor, ceramics, accessories and more from up to 20 artist submissions, including:

Veronica Riley Marstens from Chicago created this stunner.

*Carole Richey, jewelry designer from Chicago who works with vintage pieces and leather

*Veronica Riley Martens, jewelry designer from Chicago who works with organic materials

*Buddha Bagatelles, jewelry designer from Evanston who specializes in beaded jewelry

*Sue Capillo, an artist from Evanston who creates ceramic designs

The Shop Small Stores initiative, which Stella owner Rachel Hershinow brought to the Central Street merchants a few years ago, has received strong support from the community and continues to grow. Come enjoy this latest community event, and check out all the new goodies that come in daily.

Hope to see you soon at Stella!

Mother's Day is coming up. How amazing it would be to get your gifts all squared away while helping the community.

This Saturday, shop at Stella and you won’t just be shopping for you, you’ll be doing it for charity as well.

In fact, Central Street is hosting its Spring Community Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 21, when shoppers help stores along the street give back to local community organizations.

All you have to do to participate is to bring a Community Day Flyer into any participating business along Central Street — STELLA! — during regular business hours on Saturday, April 21, and those small business retailers will donate a portion of all your purchases to the participating organization of your choice.

Here are the Benefiting Organizations from Community Day Spring 2012:

C.A.R.E for the Evanston Shelter
Evanston Public Library Friends
Foundation 65
Evanston Environmental Association
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Center for Independent Futures – Evanston
Haven Middle School PTA
Evanston Connections for the Homeless
Business Alliance for a Sustainable Evanston (B.A.S.E )
Dreams Delivered – Women’s Club of Evanston
Interfaith Action of Evanston

To print a flyer, click here, and then get ready to shop.

See you along Central Street — and at Stella! — on Saturday, April 21.

Stella owner Rachel Hershinow helps a customer at her grand-opening event.

We want to thank all our customers who came out for the event and who continue to support our independently owned boutique.

If you missed the bash, there are pictures of the fun at racked.com, which had this to say about Stella:

“Any boutique that has the panache and the merchandise to keep their customers happy for ten years deserves a standing ovation and acknowledgment that they’re serving the fashionable community a service by being in business.”

Thanks for the coverage, racked.com! If you haven’t seen the new Stella, there’s never been a better time to stop in, take a look and get ready for the warmer months ahead.

Your favorite boutique had been closed in order to make it better and more beautiful just in time for its 10-year anniversary.

Pictures don't do the new Stella justice. You have to see it for yourself!

With a whole new look, Stella has reopened to begin its second decade of life refreshed and ready to see all of its wonderful customers again.

To celebrate the 10-year milestone under the ownership of Rachel Hershinow, Stella will be throwing a BIG BANG BASH on Thursday, March 15 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. There will be drinks, food, entertainment, discounts and other surprises.

“Ten years is a long time in boutique years, and I wanted to celebrate our fabulous customers, friends and the community that has supported Stella, said Hershinow, who took over the boutique in February of 2002.

Come take a look at the new and improved Stella, along with all the fabulous goodies first being unveiled at the store.

Thank you for your patience. We guarantee, it was worth the wait.

And, we have even bigger news: In honor of the occasion, our little boutique is getting a big makeover.

There is a downside: In order to undergo this fantastic transformation, Stella will be closed starting January 29.

But there’s a bigger upside: An even better Stella will have a Grand Re-Opening Party in mid-February.

And, yet, another upside: Stella is currently having a Less-to-Pack-Up Sale, in which EVERYTHING in the store is 20 to 50 percent off.

The Stella(r) summary: You can save on Stella treasures while helping us clean out now, and when we re-open later, we’ll be better than ever.

If you would: Miss us while we’re closed. We will miss you. After all, we couldn’t be doing this without the support of our customers. Thank you!

We see some outstanding deals from Stella entering your life in the near future.

The mad rush of the holidays is over, so you know what that means:

STELLA SALE!!!!!!

Everything in the store is now 20 to 50 percent off.

Everything!!!!!!

Come in early to get the best stuff as we clean out to get ready for new stuff.

We hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. Now, it’s time for some serious shopping.

See you soon at Stella!

We have ornaments. You can have them for 20 percent off on Sunday!

Is it Black Friday? No.

Small Business Saturday? No!

Then, why is everything at Stella going to be on sale? And when???

Come to Stella this holiday season. You'll be happy you did.

It’s the Central Street Holiday Open House, and it will be in high gear on Sunday, December 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Stella will be offering 20 percent off every single thing in the store, plus a raffle, yummy goodies, tons of fun and holiday cheer.

You have to get gifts for everyone on your list: Why not enjoy it while you are doing it?

See you on Sunday at Stella!

A few years ago, Rachel started a campaign along Central Street to “Shop Small Stores” and help the local economy.

Stella has gifts you will find nowhere else..

This week, our state’s governor proclaimed Saturday, November 26 as “Small Business Saturday” and is encouraging residents to shop at independently owned stores this Saturday and holiday season.

“Thanksgiving weekend traditionally serves as the kick-off for the holiday shopping season, and we want all Illinois businesses to have a strong showing,” said Governor Quinn.

“I encourage people throughout Illinois to use this time to show their support for local merchants that contribute to our local economies, putting people to work and keeping our economy moving forward.”

For every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68 goes back to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.

When you shop at a big chain store, the amount that is returned to the local community goes down to about $43. Shop online, and none of it comes home.

Stella has gifts for every single person on your list, from your cousin’s baby to all the party hosts, from your kid’s teachers to your devoted mailman.

Start the holiday season off right, and help small business owners and your community while doing it.

Happy Thanksgiving. We give a tremendous amount of thanks for each and every one of our patrons. Hope to see you on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday . . . and beyond.

Well, guess what? That opportunity is coming up on Saturday, November 12 during Community Day On Central Street!

When you shop along Evanston’s Central Street on that day, all participating businesses — including Stella! — will donate a portion of your purchase to a participating charity.

You don't have to bend over backwards to give to charity on November 12. Just shop at Stella on Central Street!

And you get to pick the charity!

Stella will donate 15 percent of each customer’s purchase to a worthy cause that day.

Some of the charities involved include:

*Evanston Connections for the Homeless

*C.A.R.E. for the Evanston Shelter

*Evanston Environmental Association

*Dreams Delivered — Women’s Club of Evanston

Are you ready to give to charity?

Click here, and you’ll find the flyer that lists all participating businesses and charities. Print it out and bring it with you on Saturday, November 12 for Community Day on Central Street and make your purchases count. The flyer will be available in stores, too.

Thanks in advance for shopping Stella and for helping such worthwhile causes!