Alton Main Street Newsletter November 2023
Director’s Note ~
Join us on Tues, Nov 28th from 5:30-7pm at iMerge Community Center (200 W. 3rd) for our next installment of “What’s Up Downtown” to learn the latest news about developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including business updates, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events. We are excited to highlight some amazing new business owners at this quarter’s event! Lori Bregenzer will tell us what’s on the menu at Comfort Cuisine, her new take-away eatery at 4 E. Broadway, Melissa Bland will share details of her new shop called Honeybee Vintage that will open this month at 112 E. Broadway, and you may have seen Dorothy McCoy owner of Mo’z Sweet Treats peddling her ice cream tricycle at many community events…she will tell us all about her new brick & mortar store at 413 Ridge St. offering assorted fresh baked treats, home made soups, gourmet popcorn, candy & drinks, and frozen treats including her famous fried chicken ice-cream!
~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director
Alton’s Tree Lighting ceremony will take place on Fri, Nov 17th!
Santa arrives at Lincoln Douglas Square at 6pm; the free festivities including caroling, cookies and cocoa will continue until 6:45 when Mayor David Goins flips the lights on our beautiful tree, provided by the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club. The Salvation Army will also be kicking off their “Tree of Lights” campaign. Park downtown and enjoy free trolley rides between the corner of 3rd & Belle St. and L-D Square from 5:30-7:30. Bring your camera to take photos with Santa & the other costumed holiday characters! You can help the less fortunate by bringing along non-perishable food items to help build a Castle of Cans at the foot of the Lincoln & Douglas statues, which will be donated to the food pantry at the Salvation Army.
CLICK HERE to RSVP and spread the word on Facebook
The Green Gift Bazaar will be held on Sat, Nov 25th – Small Business Saturday
This 21st Annual event will be held at Post Commons and Jacoby Arts Center; stop by from 10am-4pm to find 45 “green” vendors! We partner with the Sierra Club on this event, which features a variety of environmentally-friendly gift ideas. We will also be providing shoppers with sale info from downtown retailers and restaurants. Plan a day of shopping with your friends to celebrate “Small Business Saturday” and pick up unique, locally-made, eco-friendly gifts for everyone on your list, including herbal products, jewelry, art, ornaments, houseplants, clothing, and so much more. Bring your burned out holiday lights along to be recycled!
CLICK HERE to RSVP and spread the word on Facebook
There are 2 more First Friday events on Nov 3rd & Dec 1st
Alton Main Street and Jacoby Arts Center are partnering to present First Fridays, a late night art and shopping experience which spans 15 locations across the Downtown district. This event is held on the First Friday of every month in Oct, Nov & Dec, providing you with an opportunity to check out new shops and galleries and visit familiar favorites!
Participants are offering a variety of discounts, refreshments and giveaways. Everyone who has their passport stamped at 10+ locations will receive a $10 gift certificate to any participating business. A free shuttle will be provided from 5-9pm, running a continuous loop between all locations.
Park at the lot at Broadway & Ridge and start your evening by picking up your passport at Jacoby Arts Center which will guide your journey to Rushmore Boutique, AP Cigar, Coco+Oak, AJStotlerPhotography, Funky Planet Toys & Gifts, Refabuloused Relics, The Alton Dispensary, Epicurean Fare & LuciAnna’s Pastries, The Conservatory, Country Meadows I & II, Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau’s Alton Visitors Center, BASECAMP.alton, Shalon Salon and FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar.
Find WHERE’S WADLOW during First Fridays and win a $100 gift certificate to any participating location!
CLICK HERE to RSVP & spread the word on Facebook
Alton Little Theater will host a trunk or treat on Oct 30th from 5:30-7pm
Bring the family for fun, games, candy, and ice cream! There will be a raffle basket featuring items and gift cards from local businesses and artisans including Duke Bakery and Decaro’s Pizza. Tickets are $1 and the winner will be announced that night! This event will be hosted in ALT’s parking lot at 2450 N. Henry St.
Hang out at FLOCK Food Truck Park on Halloween right before the coolest parade around!
What better place to be than one of the most haunted cities in the country? Come eat some great food from Pig on a Wing, Street Eatz, Rays Soul Touching Tacos & T&S Smokehouse, have some drinks with friends, and listen to some spooky songs and stories from Hollie Schultz, Erin Jo & J O E L. You don’t want to miss this one—tell your friends! Tues, Oct. 31st—Music 5-8pm, Food Trucks 5-9pm, Bar 5-10pm. Located at 210 Ridge St.
iMerge Community Center is hosting a Halloween Open House for all ages!
Join them at 200 W. 3rd Street on Tues, Oct 31st from 5-7pm for dancing, games, and a costume contest where you can win tickets to their Open Play events, passes to their Gaming Lab, and a free party at iMerge! Their kitchen will be open for families to enjoy dinner before heading down the block to watch the parade.
River Bend Yoga
Fall into Yoga at River Bend! In the past 18 months, we’ve flourished in our new location at 100 W. 3rd St. Not only does the studio offer a wide variety of classes and workshops, but River Bend Yoga is also an official Yoga Alliance accredited School of Yoga! New classes this month include Power Flow and Hot Buti Yoga, plus workshops on Restorative Yoga with Reiki. On Small Business Saturday (Nov 25), our doors will be open from noon until 5pm with several free classes, aerial demonstrations, and refreshments. We’ll also feature 20% off all branded apparel and Zum Products in stock.
Sign up with Punchpass to stay up-to-date with the happenings at River Bend Yoga.
State Street Market
is thrilled to invite you to Courtyard Season!! Chef PK’s newest fall menu has arrived, our cozy blankets and 10-foot fire pit are all anxiously awaiting your arrival. Dress for the weather so you can wine and dine like they do in Europe! Our quaint dining room and Copper Bar are always available as well. We do encourage reservations to give you the best dining experience possible so please give us a call and we’ll be happy to save you a table. Don’t forget about our retail wine shop, happy hour and Saturday brunch as well!
The Old Bakery Beer Company
The Holiday Cheers Markets are back at OBBC this season! Shop from 15 rotating local artisans and growers every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas 11:30am-3:30pm. Expect a variety of local wonders including winter produce, pottery, fiber art, jewelry, bath products, candles, and so much more! The first date, Nov 25th, will feature the release of OBB’s newest seasonal beer – Fruit Cake – a Rum Barrel Aged Barley Wine with Pineapple and Cherry.
Alton Apartments For You
Be a part of our community and apply for an apartment with us today! We have studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms from $600-$900 a month. We provide quality housing in Alton through our commitment to our tenants and Alton as a community. Come see all our apartments have to offer by calling (618) 465-8708 or visiting the leasing office at 112 Manor Ct B, Alton, IL.
Eclectic Celebrations
invites you to join us at our Music Trivia Night in the banquet room at Alton Sports Tap (3812 College Ave.) We will have several rounds of name the song and artist. There will be a $200 cash prize for 1st place, $100 for 2nd, and gift cards for 3rd and 4th. Bar & food service are available from the restaurant, and we will have a 50/50 drawing. Tickets are $15 per person and are only available in advance at www.EclecticCelebrations.com. You can play individually or as a team of up to 4.
YWCA of Southwestern Illinois
is now enrolling students in grades 1-4 in its Riverbend Reading Club program, designed to help struggling readers achieve grade level proficiency through intensive sessions working in small groups with students at similar reading levels Mon-Thurs from 3-5pm. To enroll, call 618-465-7774.
Genesis Wealth Management Group
Bill Kinkel is an Investment Advisor Representative located in Downtown Alton. Partnered with a team of Certified Financial Planners, Bill provides individuals and businesses with innovative financial strategies, solutions and planning that result in financial clarity, security, and overall financial health. Making strong commitments to our clients and building life-long relationships are tenets of our success. Visit our office at 409 Henry Street, call 618-368-2100, or find details at www.genesiswmg.com.
Senior Services Plus
Upcoming programming includes:
11/17 – WHO’S READY FOR TURKEY?
Senior Services Plus is hosting their annual November Holiday Luncheon, Friday, November 17th from 11am-1pm in the School House Grill. The Humana sponsored luncheon is FREE and open to the community. We will be serving up these holiday favorites: turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, candied yams, and dessert!
11/1 & 11/15 – VACCINE CLINICS AT SSP
SIHF and Molina Healthcare will be hosting Vaccine Clinics at SSP, November 1st & 15th from 10am-1pm. For more info and to make an appointment, call 618-465-3298 ext. 123.
11/28 – GIVING TUESDAY
Watch our website and our Facebook for ways you can support SSP and the members of the community we serve.
AP Cigar Alton
Celebrate the National Great Rivers Museum’s 20th Anniversary
On Sat, Nov 4th from 10am-4pm, you are invited for a special day filled with history, recreation, navigation, and memories. Activities visitors can look forward to include: Open Tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, Special Engineering Tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, Museum Commemoration at noon, Panel Discussion on River Recreation and Tourism at 1:30pm, Activity Booths, Food & Beverage Vendors. Don’t miss out on this historic occasion as we reflect on two decades of engaging the community and connecting visitors to the great Mississippi River. Whether you are a long-time supporter or a first-time visitor, we welcome you to join us in honoring this significant milestone!
The North Alton Godfrey Business Council is pleased to announce the first engagement of the Benjamin Godfrey Entrepreneurial Speaker Series
Join them on Tuesday, November 7th at Lewis and Clark Community College for featured speaker John Newby, a nationally known Publisher and Community Consultant. An 11:30am luncheon presentation is planned at The Commons focusing on area businesses, both small and large, themed “Building A Stronger and More Viable Community Thru Synergies”
Tickets are $45 per adult and $25 per student in advance, or $50/$30 at the door.
Reserve your seat today at www.NAGBC.com
The Council is delighted to avail the area with this opportunity to bring together our business professionals and future community leaders, with an intended outcome of making the region more livable and a great place to do business. Questions may be directed to 618-779-9735.