Every day as I drive downtown to work I pass a cool looking little shop called The Main Statement and I keep thinking, “I need to stop in there and check it out.” Well, today just happens to be that day, let’s hop on over and I’ll show you what I’m talking about.

Okay, this has nothing to do with today's blog post, but the sky looked amazing driving there, so I snapped this photo and it turned out pretty cool. Alright, we now return to the blog, already in progress.

Here's the aforementioned shop, The Main Statement. I was curious about the title of the store, and only just now did I realize that it's on Main Street. Main Statement...duh! Okay, let's go check it out.

Wow, lots to look at it in here...

But first I said hello to the owners, Danielle and Matt. They're really nice people and they told me that 95% of everything in the store is made locally. All of the merchandise is handmade and one of a kind. They also told me they're getting married soon. Maybe I'll be invited and I can do my first wedding blog from their reception! Let's hope for an open bar!

Matt and Danielle have gone back to work, so let's browse a bit and find something to buy in the store.

I noticed a bulletin board in the middle of the store with business cards and tacked up the MBIP card. Take a Waldo-like moment and see if you can find it!

They have a wide variety of products in here ranging from custom-made jewelry...

To locally made artwork...

To handmade ties and all of it is locally made from artists and designers in and around Peoria.

Speaking of ties, check out these fancy tie pins on top of the jewelry case.

Tomorrow's Valentine's Day and while everything in the store would make a nice Valentine's gift, this table has some cherry-picked items for the holiday for you last minute shoppers out there.

Here's some cards that you wont' find in a Hallmark store, which is a good thing.

And more cards which are a step above the standard, generic cards you find at the mall.

Here's a heart pendant surrounded by other unique Valentine's Day gifts.

If you're shopping for a Valentine for Stuart Smalley, here's some affirmation heart magnets. None of them said Budweiser on them, so let's keep browsing for something to buy.

A shot of the back of the store which looks out on to Main Street.

This table is loaded with teeny-tiny hats for a baby or the pinhead in your life. Gabba gabba hey!

I love these little pillows, that "On The Road" one is really cool!

Well, owl be damned! Sorry about that!

This piece of art reminds me I need to write up about driving Yardbirds drummer, Jim McCarty to Sun Studio's in Memphis, like I've been promising for years. One of these days, Alice!

This piece of art uses a Dating Game board as a base, very cool! The Main Statement is going to start featuring an artist of he month and you can fill out an application at the store or email them to try and be featured there. There's going to be a reception at Broken Tree Coffee on March 1st for the first artist of the month and I plan on going and so should you. Be looking for a post from there on March 2nd, right here at MBIP.

Recycled vinyl made in to coat hooks.

Danielle's working in this jewelry case, let's go take a look.

Nice shades, these ain't the sunglasses that ZZ Top sang about!

The Main Statement is one of the few stores in the area featuring one-of-a-kind belt buckles. Check out Jimi Hendrix on the right. Purple Haze, all round my waist.

I love these cool circular magnets. They told me they're handmade by a woman who started making them when she was 13-years-old and is now selling them to help pay her way through college. I think I found what I want to buy.