2 Kathleens, 1 Katie, And The New Lenox Shop On Cedar That Links Them

NEW LENOX, IL — It just felt "right."

Kathleen Rektorski had just read about the closing and sale of beloved New Lenox occasional shop Ugly Ducklings by Kathleen, and decided to stop in. Facing early-onset Parkinson's, then-owner Kathleen Haag had made the difficult decision to sell the space at 398 N. Cedar Road.

"You know when you feel like you’re supposed to be there—that was it," Rektorski said.

Rektorski, who owns Van-Go Transportation, was in need of a new home for her business, after its previous office was sold to the Village to accommodate the creation of a roundabout and other construction at Cedar and Haven. Van-Go transports special needs students, Rektorski said, a vital service for New Lenox residents.

It seemed serendipitous—Kathleen Rektorski needed a place, and Kathleen Haag was selling hers.

"Her name’s Kathleen, and my name’s Kathleen, and I told her, ‘I think I’m gonna buy your place,'" Rektorski said, of their first visit in November 2024. "And I think she thought I was nuts."

It hadn't even been listed yet, but Rektorski had read about its impending sale on New Lenox Patch. Haag asked what Rektorski planned to do with it.

"'Same thing,'" she told her.

"We talked, and I ended up buying the place. Everything fell into place, within a week. It was crazy."

It's her second venture into a retail business, the first being a children's resale shop in her hometown of Berwyn three decades ago. She's lived in New Lenox for 30 years. She will manage her transportation business out of the building's second floor, keeping the first floor as a boutique that honors the vision of its previous owner, and ties in Rektorski's personal touches. Rektorski runs the boutique—now called Cedar And Oak Unique Boutique—with the help of Katie Korepanow.

"I’m just lucky to be here, be along for the ride," Korepanow said.

In her eight years running the shop, Haag built a community—one of makers, dreamers, decorators and treasure-seekers. 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. She focused on bringing in local artists and vendors, spotlighting their work over items you'd find anywhere else.

In deciding to sell, she had hoped someone would find inspiration in what she'd created, and find a way to build upon it.

"Not necessarily a shop exactly like mine," she said in a November 2024 Patch interview, "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."

She was tickled when the interested party was not only a woman, but one with her same name.

"My heart is full knowing what I started is being carried on and even elevated to the next level in such a mindful and loving way," Haag said this week. "Kathleen has done a truly amazing job transforming the space from a shop to a beautiful boutique. I couldn’t be happier."

Many of the vendors and artists who found a home at Ugly Ducklings will return, Rektorski said. Those include Repurpose With Love, Flannel Candle Company, Daybreak Crafts, Ellen's Garden Table, Good Ol' Wood, The Rustic Bird, In My Spare Time, Twirly Girl and SugarPlumFayre. Take a peek inside the shop via their Instagram.

Haag's own work will also be sold at the store.

"Having her take in many of my makers that are so loved by my previous customers means the world to me," she said. "In addition, Kathleen has also invited me to drop off my artwork as well as various other pieces including painted furniture."

Rektorski will also bring in new vendors and artists, including Art by Matt, Wandering Path Remedies, Nellie's Nook, Table Saw Creations, Little Vermillion Crafts, MoreKreations, Highhawk Creations, Door County Coffee, The Twisted Sister Fused Glass Art & Jewelry, Doughney Designs, Steve's Signature Horse Shoes, Maddie & Birch and Lincoln-Way Special Education. Items will span a wide range, including jewelry, home decor, candles, birdhouses, paintings, and charcuterie boards.

"We’ll have new and vintage," Rektorski said. "It’s different, but it’s that touch still. Vendors from the community, and outside the community."

Ugly Ducklings sparkled as a New Lenox gem, she said.

"When you walked in, it just was comfortable," she said. "It was cute. We don’t have anything like this in New Lenox, really."

Haag's Ugly Ducklings was open on select weekends; Rektorski noted she'll offer expanded hours, but stressed, "right now, it’s all trial and error."

Rektorski thanked Korepanow—"If it wasn’t for Katie, I wouldn’t be doing anything," she said —as well as the Village for their part in the chain of events.

"A big, big thanks to the Village," Rektorski said. "If it wasn’t for them, this wouldn’t have happened.

"... Then I met Kathleen, she’s just a wonderful person. She’s very excited that we’re going to keep it the same.

"Still hers, but not."

Cedar And Oak's opening is set for Saturday, April 12.

Hours are currently set as Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additional hours could be tacked on to Tuesday evenings in the future.