Alton Main Street Newsletter May 2024

Director’s Note ~

Join us on Tuesday, May 14th from 5:30-7pm at iMerge Community Center located in the Riverbender building at 200 W. 3rd St. for the next installment of our What’s Up Downtown Information Exchange. Featured speakers this quarter include Chef Lasse Sorensen from Food is Love, Nick Bifano sharing information about the revival of the Mississippi River Festival, and Mary Cordes with news from Hayner Public Library.

We welcome more volunteers to get involved in the revitalization of Downtown Alton, especially gardeners! Meet at 3rd & Belle on Sat, April 27th at 10am if you would like to help with our big spring planting effort. We also have a page on our website where you can sign up for a shift for any of our upcoming volunteer opportunities all in one spot. Visit www.DowntownAlton.com/Volunteer and jump in today!

~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director

We welcome Spring’s harvest — enjoy fresh & local fare at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market!

The Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market starts on Sat, May 11th (always Mother’s Day weekend!) in the parking lot at the corner of Landmarks Blvd. & Henry Street. We will be open Saturday mornings from 8am-Noon through Oct 19th. You’ll find a wide selection of locally-grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables including heirloom varieties and sustainably grown crops, fresh cut flowers, potted plants, grass-fed meat, local honey, baked goods, hot & iced coffee, farm eggs, handmade soap, breakfast items, and a large assortment of hand-crafted art-work such as pottery, jewelry, and woodworking.

We have something special planned for each of the 24 weeks, and opening day will feature a make & take project: DIY Letterpress Mother’s Day Cards! On 5/18 we will host a Community Yard Sale—sign up for a booth on our website, we’ve got a built-in crowd of shoppers! On 5/25 the whole family will enjoy Magician Don Woodruff. We have so many awesome activities and entertainers on the calendar this season, including live music, artist demonstrations, goat yoga, an Art Playday with Jacoby Arts Center, a BIG farm equipment day with the Madison County Farm Bureau to celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week, a return of the Canine Carnival to benefit Hope Rescues, and an urban chicken workshop!

Our vendors accept SNAP, and we have received a LinkUP Illinois grant to double your buying power; just visit the info booth! Vendor fees are $12 to sell home-grown or handmade products. For full details, CLICK HERE or stay up to date on what produce is in season and upcoming activities on Facebook & Instagram @AltonFarmersMarket

PUP CRAWL – That’s a pub crawl + dogs! Saturday, May 18th

You and your furry friends are invited to this fun event that spans 21 pet-friendly patios and businesses. With your $10 ticket you will receive a bandana & frisbee, a passport listing food & beverage specials and pet-friendly activities, shuttle service from Noon-8pm, all-day access to the Alton Dog Park, and a chance to win great prizes – including pet gift baskets & Cardinals tickets! Registration will take place at the Alton Dog Park from Noon-5pm. Located under the Clark Bridge—follow the yellow signs!

For a traditional pub crawl experience, grab a bite or a beverage at: Bubby and Sissy’s, Danny’s Lounge, Flock Food Truck Park, Germania Brew Haus, The Brown Bag Bistro & 1904 General Store, Ragin Cajun Piano Bar, Bluff City Grill, Tony’s, The Lovejoy Lodge, The Firehouse, The Conservatory, Solera Wine Bar, The Old Bakery Beer Company, and pay a visit to AP Cigar.

The following businesses are also joining the fun! Families are welcome to start their day at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market, then check in at the Alton Dog Park and make their way around this route for all ages: It’s Raining Zen, Alton Marina, Jacoby Arts Center, Mom Said No & Mississippi Hippie, Moon Drops + Wellness, Picture This & More, and Riverbend Yoga. Click HERE for more details! 

Mississippi Mud Pottery

Please join us at 310 E. Broadway for our annual Mother’s Day weekend sale May 10-12! Our showroom is filled with great gift ideas for all of the moms in your life. Save 10% off all in-stock pottery and artwork (excludes custom orders), plus you’ll receive a free handmade miniature vase with any purchase. Visit them online: www.mississippimudpottery.com/

Olive Oil Marketplace

Introducing our new Tea Nook! Indulge in 45+ delicious handcrafted blends and single-estate teas in various flavors and caffeine levels. Our loose tea types include: Matcha, Black, Green, White, Rooibos, and Herbal. Shop in-store at 108 W. 3rd Street or online at OliveOilMarketplace.com

Honeybee Vintage

Did you know? Honeybee Vintage is home to a “Beetique” of upscale children’s resale! You’ll find boys and girls clothing, ages 0-14, along with quality books, toys, shoes, and new/giftable accessories. The first young shopper of the day is named the “busy bee of the day” and awarded a bee plush toy: a “free-bee”! Honeybee Vintage is home to antiques, vintage, resale and seasonal décor, local art, and gifts for all. Don’t miss the vintage clothing and jewelry in the upper loft. Honeybee is a marketplace of 16 sellers, with new arrivals daily. Plus…pick up local honey and try our honey-based chocolates next time you stop in! Sign up online for our Sweet Rewards, and come visit soon at 114 E. Broadway! https://honeybeevintagealton.com/

OSF Saint Anthony’s

Will offer a Mental Health First Aid Training class during Mental Health Awareness Month to teach individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. The class is scheduled for Mon, May 20th from 8am–4:30pm in the hospital’s Perpetual Help Center (#1 Saint Anthony’s Drive, Alton; 1st Floor). The class is free and lunch will be provided, but registration is required. CEU/CME’s are available, and registration can be completed online by visiting: https://5202024.eventbrite.com. For more information: Staci.M.Knox@osfhealthcare.org or (618) 463-5730.

Bentley’s Bar & Grill

Bentley’s Bar & Grill is now open at 204 State Street! They welcome patrons in to enjoy a delicious menu featuring burgers and wings among other offerings, ice cold beer, darts, pool, bar games, and special events. The new local hangout opened in March and is located in the former Gatsby’s Grill building. They’re also now offering all you can eat brunch! Join them from 11am – 2pm every Sunday for traditional brunch food and price-included bottomless mimosas, sangria, and bellinis! Follow them on Facebook here! 

Senior Services Plus

Help yourselves and others this month at SSP! Learn about Assistive Technology (AT) that can make everyday tasks easier on May 14th at 10am. A physical therapist with the Illinois Assistive Technology will present and give demos on AT products and tools. On May 15th learn how to protect your bones and joints during the Osteoporosis Do’s and Don’ts of Everyday Movement presentation from St. Louis Oasis. And don’t forget to Dontate Blood on May 20th from 10am-2pm with the American Red Cross. Protect yourself and the older adults in your lives by attending the Illinois Long- Term Care Ombudsman Program’s Elder Abuse Prevention Presentation, May 30th from 12-1pm, free lunch included. These events are free to attend. RSVP at 618-465-3298! https://www.seniorservicesplus.org/

Theodora Farms opens for the season on May 7th!

Visit their FarmStore, located at 4835 N. Alby Rd. in Godfrey. Pre-ordering for their annual plant sale is live now with vegetables, perennial and annual herbs, and perennial landscaping plants available for purchase, which you can pick up in person May 11-18. They will also have a wide selection of plants to shop from in-store. The FarmStore will be fully stocked with meat, eggs, dairy, pantry items, and of course, the farm’s delicious USDA Certified Organic vegetables. Hours this year will be: Tuesday – Friday 10am – 6pm Saturday 10am – 1pm Join us for an event on Sat, May 18th to celebrate our seasonal opening! For updates: TheodoraFarms.com, Instagram or Facebook!

Alton Main Street expresses our support for The Salvation Army’s New Hope Housing program

This initiative is vital for the revitalization of our downtown district, as it will replace Booth Manor’s services with a more comprehensive approach to meet current needs. New Hope Housing will provide essential resources such as housing solutions, childcare, and educational classes aimed at sustainable living. By endorsing their application for funding provided by the HOME-ARP program of the federal government’s American Rescue Plan, you’re not just supporting a program; you’re investing in the future of Alton. Your words of support can make all the difference in shaping a more inclusive, compassionate and resilient community; we welcome you to contact your elected officials: www.cityofaltonil.gov/elected-officals/