NEW LENOX, IL — A little New Lenox shop—and its owner—that have left a big impression on many will soon be for sale, open to whoever can dream up something for it next. It’s an inevitable, though heartbreaking, call after an unexpected diagnosis nearly three years ago.
Ugly Ducklings By Kathleen owner Kathleen Haag shared on Tuesday that her occasional shop at 398 N. Cedar Rd., known for upcycled vintage pieces and one-of-a-kind items will go on the market, as she shifts focus following a diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2022.
“This decision has been weighing on my heart for some time,” Haag wrote on social media. “… I’ve done a lot of soul searching since March of 2022. Priorities have shifted. My focus on time is more about family, my health, traveling while I’m physically able, and reducing stress.”
Words of comfort poured in at the news—a touching, yet not surprising, show of support for the shop and the woman behind it.
“Thank you for the gift you have shared of yourself to the community!” one supporter wrote. “I have been blessed by your shop and workshops, and I am so grateful for you!”
“You made a dream come true, you shared your gift with all of us (I think my whole house is decorated by UD),” wrote another. “You maintained a smile even in your medical journey, and overall are just the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met.”
Since opening eight years ago, Haag has built a community through the shop—one of makers, dreamers, decorators and treasure-seekers.
“… I’ve met so many special people, heard so many touching stories, and made friends along the way,” Haag shared on social media.
It was the connections she’s built, she said, that nudged her to share her news publicly.
Haag first visited a neurologist after experiencing rigidity in her muscles, particularly her left side. Initially, she believed she’d suffered a stroke, she told Patch. Nearly 52 at the time, she was in disbelief at her diagnosis.
“They tell you you have Parkinson’s, you’re like, ‘what? I’m not old!” she said.
Parkinson’s disease is a type of neurodegenerative disease, affecting the brain and causing difficulty with movements, or motor symptoms. Early onset Parkinson’s is typically diagnosed ages 21–50, according to the American Parkinson Disease Association. About 10 to 20 percent of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are under age 50, and about half of those are diagnosed before age 40. Approximately 90,000 new cases of Parkinson’s are diagnosed each year in the United States, meaning somewhere around 9,000 – 18,000 are early onset patients.
There is no cure, but some medications, treatments and lifestyle changes can ease symptoms.
“Healthy diet, exercising, positive attitude are the three best things,” Haag said. “From the onset, I had a positive attitude. I was never like, ‘why me?’ … Better to be positive, than be miserable.”
An art major and maker herself, Haag once taught art and sold her own creations at vendor markets. The shop on Cedar Road was an extension of her creative endeavors—much of the upcycled furniture in the store was done by her own hand.
“One thing led to another, this building came up for sale, and I kinda got kicked into buying it,” she said, chuckling. “Obviously, it’s a scary venture.”
She started small—she looks back at photos and feels the space looked ’empty’ back then.
“There was nothing in the store,” she said, laughing. A juxtaposition to the well-stocked and styled shop it’s grown into. She focused on bringing in local artists and vendors, spotlighting their work over items you’d find anywhere else.
“We kinda all became a big family, which is nice,” Haag said. “I always wanted to support local artists, because I didn’t always have that coming up. I just wanted to do my part in supporting local artists.”
Open on select weekends handwritten on a chalkboard outside the store window and noted on her Facebook page, the shop has been a haven for those looking to add a unique touch to their homes, or gift something special. In time, her offerings grew to include creative workshops, such as the popular DIY painting workshops.
After her diagnosis, though, it became clear that something would have to give.
“Although I still love the shop, it’s time to move on,” she shared.
She’ll still find ways to scratch her creative itch, she says.
“I do a mixture of a little this, a little that,” she said. “Whatever I’m in the creative mood to do.”
“I’m not disappearing — I’ll still have my page,” she reassured supporters. “I’ll still continue to do custom jobs and do the occasional market.”
Until the building sells, it will be “business as usual,” she says, with set weekend hours. The shop will be open Friday, Nov. 22–Sunday, Nov. 24, and again on Nov. 29–Dec. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Any updates to hours will be shared on the business Facebook page. It’s unclear how long it will take to find a buyer.
“I will definitely be open through at least Christmas,” Haag told supporters. “But, if you’ve had your eye on any particular piece, grab it now.”
Haag is hopeful someone with a unique vision will swoop in for the space.
“Not necessarily a shop exactly like mine,” she said, “but something cute and unique that you can’t find anywhere else. That would be perfect. That would make me happy. Especially if it was a small business owned by a woman.”
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As she prepares to close out a chapter, she is relishing in what it’s taught her, and those around her. She’s looking forward to time with her husband Tom, and their adult children, Maya and Owen.
Her ugly duckling came with some beautiful lessons, she said.
“The thing I’m most proud of in terms of my business,” Haag said, “is showing my children that any dream is attainable with hard work, determination and commitment.”
For more information on Ugly Ducklings By Kathleen, visit the Facebook page. It’s updated often with hours and photos of available items.
Hours as of Nov. 20:
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