For people who have lived and shopped in Madison since forever, Orange Tree Imports is a local landmark. For 32 years, the store has cultivated countless loyal customers, each one equally amazed and fascinated by the shop's quirky, functional, "Wow! I could really use that!" range of products.
To those unfamiliar with this Madison treasure, Orange Tree Imports is simply a shopper's Shangri-La. Browsing the dizzying array of products that fill this multi-level store's numerous shelves, anyone can find something they love here.
Bath product fanatic? You'll find a section with an endless selection of soaps, lotions and upscale product lines like The Thymes. Have a tyke in tow? There's a separate room devoted to colorful toys and games that will keep your little one entertained while you shop. A self-proclaimed "foodie?" Then you've really hit the jackpot; Orange Tree Imports' specialty is all-things cool and innovative in cooking, like high-performance cutlery, avocado slicers, pineapple dicers, waffle-makers and top-of-the-line cookware.
With a focus on food, you'd think Orange Tree Imports was named after the fruit; but the store is actually named for its owner, Carol "Orange" Schroeder, a college nickname given for her orangey hair color.
Schroeder, who co-owns the store with her husband, Dean, calls Orange Tree Imports a "large small store and a small large store" because of the huge amount of diverse products carried throughout the deceptively small shop. She also says the store specializes in "form, function, and whimsy," three things we as shoppers always love, especially when they're all in the same place.
Get your one-stop-shopping fix with these unique products: Owl-shaped mug ($10); Vgar Flower Power dish scrubber ($10); Hot Heads Pot Holder Critters ($10); Pacifica Waikiki Pikake candle ($16); Dagoba organic lavender chocolate ($3).
Orange Tree Imports 1721 Monroe St., 255-8211 www.orangetreeimports.com 10 am-8 pm Mon.-Thurs., 10 am-5:30 pm Fri.-Sat., noon-4 pm Sun.
