Curated finds and community at Crivitz’s On a Whim

CRIVITZ – On a Whim offers more than just the wine and gifts it sells — a unique, personable adventure also awaits.

Offering just shy of 100 different beers, 100 different liquors and 240 different wines, On a Whim provides an imaginative inventory where customers can expect a completely original experience.

“This is not Jack Daniels and Tito’s and Jose Cuervo. We try to bring in none of the things that you would find at a grocery store,” owner Jake Figas said. “There are some things that people will know that are widely available… but the overwhelming majority, I’m talking like 90% or more, of my inventory is hand selected and curated.”

Each wine, beer and liquor is tried and compared by Figas himself to ensure that customers get a unique experience, no matter what they buy.

But alcohol is not the offering waiting for customers at On a Whim. According to Figas, the liquor takes up only a fourth of the space in his boutique.

“The other three fourths is gourmet food, snacks, hats, purses, jewelry, candles, wall decor, body wash, I mean — it’s just this whole sort of really incredible, curated content for my customers to enjoy,” he explained.

Every item at On a Whim reflects the boutique’s idea that customers don’t come looking for a specific product, but for the experience of the store itself.

“On a Whim is very much an experience,” Figas said. “It’s the way the space makes you feel when you walk in the doors, while you’re there and when you leave that makes [this] place really incredible.”

Outside of operating the business, Figas has conducted multiple charity raffles that have allowed On a Whim to support its community.

Beginning in 2023, Figas first had the idea to do a charity raffle after securing a bottle of hard-to-get Buffalo Trace bourbon.

“The very first raffle that I did was for the Crivitz Fire Department… and the tickets just flew.”

For over a year and a half, the bourbon raffle became a monthly tradition.

“That distributor started to give me bottles to raffle off, just because I was turning them into $1,000 for a charity. And so, every month, we selected a charity” Figas explained.
While it began with places like the Crivitz Fire Department, the Crivitz Rescue Squad and the Crivitz Police Department, On a Whim was also able to support other causes such as the local children’s theater program and kids with cancer.

“It was always just like, really small beneficiaries that we selected with no rhyme or reason, other than they were just small, not well known and they were probably the people who would receive $1,000 and it would mean the most to [them]. So we did that for just over a year and a half,” Figas said.

The bourbon raffle returned this summer for the months of June, July and August, with the $1,000 going to the Crivitz Fire Department in June, the Crivitz Rescue Squad in July and the Boys & Girls Club of the Fox Valley slated for August.

Also in collaboration with willing charitable causes, On a Whim hosts charity shopping events that take place outside of regular business hours. During a set period of time, On a Whim opens its doors and gives 20% of gross sales to the partnering charity.

“Basically if you come into the store and make any purchase during that particular time, 20% of that sale is gonna go directly to the charity, and we cut the check at the end of the event,” Figas explained.

Most recently, On a Whim supported the Crivitz Area Woman’s Club with their charity shopping event on July 10.

Coming this October, On a Whim will be hosting their annual customer appreciation event, called Wine, Wings and Whiskey.

“We always have free samples of wine, little samples of whiskey… we do 40 pounds of chicken wings and we grill out, and people come and eat the chicken wings and they shop,” Figas said.

On a Whim also hosts private paid events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, employee appreciation parties and more.

Customers can experience On a Whim from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

“A real impact that I have [is] the ability to give the people that walk in those doors the chance to leave happier than when they came in,” Figas said. “And I think that’s one of the greatest services that you can provide to anyone while we’re in the here and now.”

For more information on On a Whim or for charities looking to do shopping events, visit the On a Whim Facebook page or stop by in person at 907 N U.S. Hwy 141 in Crivitz.

Pass It Forward™ editorial is sponsored by Packers Give Back, Nicolet National Bank and the National Trust for Local News.