Hand-drawn hometown collection
A hand-drawn celebration of La Grange, available exclusively at Blackberry Market.
Directions to Blackberry MarketCommunity
La Grange is a welcoming village with a beautiful historic core, active local businesses, and traditions that bring generations together. The theatre, Stone Avenue station, Gordon Park, and the beloved Pet Parade give the community a distinctive hometown spirit residents are proud to share.
Where to find it
36 S La Grange Rd
La Grange, IL 60525
Store hours
Checked September 14, 2026. Holiday, seasonal, and special-event hours may vary.
The collaboration
My connection to La Grange reaches back to childhood. I spent my elementary years in nearby Brookfield, and La Grange was where our family went to the movies and enjoyed time downtown. Those memories made it a natural community for me to celebrate through art.
I loved drawing the downtown clock, fountain, and theater, especially the character of the theater marquee. Walking through downtown La Grange still feels beautiful and inviting for our family.
It has been great collaborating with Bree at Blackberry Market. She has always been so kind to our family, and I absolutely love the shop and the welcoming place it has created for the La Grange Mug.
The story behind the mug
Ashley partnered with Blackberry Market to create a mug rooted in La Grange.
Research and community input highlighted historic architecture, local celebrations, parks, and a walkable downtown.
Ashley translated each selected place and symbol into an individual hand-drawn illustration.
The drawings were refined and arranged into a continuous design that rewards a closer look.
The finished mug became a locally available keepsake through Blackberry Market.
Inside the illustration
Each element celebrates a recognizable part of the community’s history, landscape, gathering places, and everyday life.
Stone Avenue Station helps tell the story of La Grange and the character residents recognize as home.
La Grange Theatre helps tell the story of La Grange and the character residents recognize as home.
Historic Village Hall helps tell the story of La Grange and the character residents recognize as home.
La Grange Pet Parade helps tell the story of La Grange and the character residents recognize as home.
Gordon Park helps tell the story of La Grange and the character residents recognize as home.
Downtown La Grange helps tell the story of La Grange and the character residents recognize as home.
The launch
The first release moved faster than expected, selling out even though Ashley had planned enough mugs to last through Christmas. A new run was made, and The La Grange Mug returned to Blackberry Market in December 2023.
Ashley remains deeply grateful for La Grange’s overwhelming support and for the way the community embraced a mug filled with its own familiar places.
The creative process
The shape of Stone Avenue Station helped establish the look of this mug. From there, I layered in La Grange Theatre, Historic Village Hall, and La Grange Pet Parade, using the contrasts between them to create a wraparound drawing that could only belong to La Grange.
The mug and its making
A meaningful local gift
Whether someone has just moved to La Grange, Illinois, is preparing to leave, or still calls it home from miles away, this hometown mug offers a warm and useful connection to the community.
Purchasing information
