Category Archives: My Thoughts

A conflicted heart…

Posted on April 13, 2012 | 3 Comments

I worked at Angelina in 2004.  I wanted to get a sense of the support from the Barrington community before opening TT Patton.  Angie, the owner at the time, hired me as the Sunday girl.  Many people would enjoy breakfast at Egg Harbor Cafe or frequent Starbucks on the corner and then shop Angelina.  It was fun getting to know the community.  So, Happy Birthday Angelina!  And Katie you’re a blast as a neighbor!

Many of you know TT Patton opened at the Ice House Mall.  The day of my grand opening, the owners of Barrington Home Shoppe (then the Canterbury Shoppe) brought me a gift to welcome me to business.  It’s funny how small, yet meaningful, gestures stay in your memory.  So when I learned the Barrington Home Shoppe is closing their doors, I was…, well…, just sad.  As a fellow business owner you want to see every business around you succeed.  And especially as a resident of this community, I personally want my downtown to be a vibrant place for me to frequent and shop.

So that’s why my heart’s conflicted.  I’m happy to see shops celebrate birthdays, and sad that some of the retail institutions of this town are saying goodbye.  Consider this an appeal letter…not for donations…for you to support ALL of the Barrington businesses.  Boarded up windows isn’t a good look for any town!

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3 things to do before Spring Break

Posted on March 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

It’s almost spring break.  But there is no reason to travel to a warm climate because it’s 78 degrees here in Chicagoland!  But here are few things for you to do before you take a nice week off from your everyday life.

1.  Copy down this address.
Theresa Patton • c/o TT Patton • 123 East Station Street • Barrington, IL 60010
You’ll need it to send me a post card.  Please.  Even if you don’t plan to travel, could you simply write me a quick note on an index card, back of a photo or anything and drop it in the mail? It gets lonely around here when everyone leaves town.

2.  Pack your March Madness brackets.
I really hope you are near a television during the next week.  This is one of the best seasons of college basketball that I can remember.  As you can see I have a lot of crossed out brackets.  Not sure what my sheet will look like after today and tomorrow.  Exciting time to be a college student at a school headed to the Final Four.  Unfortunately my alma maters Boston University and Northwestern University didn’t make the cut…too busy studying I’m sure.

3.  Register for the Summer Writing Camp!
Yes, it’s back for the 4th straight year and we have some exciting classes offered throughout the summer.  Classes include creative writing, short stories, writings of other cultures, the use of fountain pens, and you will even earn a yellow belt in one of the classes.  No kidding.  But don’t get left out. Complete your registration before you pack a single pair of flip-flops!  You can download the form or register online.  We’re excited and hope that your 4th-7th graders will write with us this summer!  Watch this video to see what they can expect during the classes.


Now you go back to enjoying this 78 degree weather.  I’m just rearranging things at TT Patton to make room for new pens and stationery…

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Posted in KIDS, My Thoughts, Workshops

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Attention Parents of Roslyn Road Students

Posted on February 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

If you see someone carrying around this bag in the hallways of Roslyn Road Elementary School, don’t be alarmed.  No it’s not the new book bag movement.  It’s our shopping bag filled with journals and pens for students participating in an after school writing program provided by TT Patton.

It’s a one month mini-course called Roslyn. Three. Two. Write!  led by Molly Koeneman; creative writing specialist.  Writing with their own fountain pen, students will spend five weeks journaling, lettering, storying, and poeting. This class is provided by TT Patton, bringing what we do Write Under the Stairs to Write at Roslyn.

In our room Write Under the Stairs, we host summer creative writing camps and beginner calligraphy classes for 3rd – 7th graders.  Watch for our summer class schedule and registration information coming in March.

To stay up to date on the many happenings at TT Patton, be sure to subscribe to this page, like us on Facebook and follow our Tweets.  However, if you want a fancy bag to carry your things around town…you have to shop TT Patton!

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