Alton Main Street Newsletter November 2024
Director’s Note ~
We are pleased to present Alton’s newest mural by Peat “Eyez” Wollaeger which honors our hometown hero and Jazz legend Miles Davis. Check it out now at the corner of Broadway & State Street, and get ready to see this work of art come alive with augmented reality on 1/1/25! The “making of Eyez on Milez” video has already been viewed 13,000 times in a few short days; check out the reel on our Facebook and Instagram pages!
Join us on Tues, Nov 19th 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 business owners at this quarter’s event! RSVP to get a reminder at our Facebook event here.
~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director
Downtown Alton Chili Cook-Off
First Friday Late Night Art and Shopping Event!
There are 2 more First Fridays Late Night Art and Shopping Experiences on November 1st & December 6th which span many shops & galleries across the Downtown district. Park at Broadway & Ridge and catch the free shuttle from 5:00-8:00pm. Have your passport stamped at 8+ locations for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to any participating business! Click here to RSVP to our Facebook Event and get updates on specials at each participating location!
More Local Shopping at the Green Gift Bazaar
The Green Gift Bazaar will be held on Sat, Nov 30th. This 22nd Annual event will be held at Post Commons and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; 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. Click here to RSVP to the Facebook event!
The Old Bakery Beer Co Hosts Harvest Cheers Market
The Old Bakery Beer Co. is kicking off market season with their new Harvest Market on 11/23, the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving! Shop for local goods for your holiday table. From produce and fish to fall decor and scents, Harvest Market will feature items that are perfect whether you’re hosting or want to pick up a locally made host gift! Weekly holiday markets will be held at the brewery every week between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so you’ll have plenty of options to support your local artists!
Christmas Extravaganza at Country Meadows Antiques
On 11/23 Country Meadows Antiques will host their annual Christmas extravaganza event with storewide sales and refreshments. Wear your ugly sweater for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate from Schwegel’s Market! Discover or revisit this crown jewel of Broadway that’s been in business for 38 years and counting.
Creepin’ It Real
Join Mom Said No & Mississippi Hippie for this fun event on Sat, 10/26 from Noon-4pm where you can unlock your “spoo-key” to a better life with the purchase of “Perfectly I’Mperfect” and meet the author! Take advantage of 10% off storewide, enter to win a raffle basket, enjoy treats with Klausti’s Kitchen and live music with Rock Crown, compete in our costume contest, and more!
Alton Halloween Parade
On Thursday, 10/31 experience the Most Haunted Small Town in America in all it’s glory! This 107th annual event kicks off at 7pm at the intersection of Washington and Broadway, then travels through downtown Alton to Piasa Street. If you are unable to be there in person, the event will be livestreamed on www.Riverbender.com!
Alton Tree Lighting Ceremony
Our free festivities will take place on Friday, November 22 from 6-7pm at Lincoln Douglas Square and include photos with Santa, caroling, cookies and cocoa! At 6:45 Mayor David Goins will flip 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! 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.
Funky Planet Toys Hosts Funky Game Night
Join us at The Old Bakery Beer Company for another Funky Game Night on Tuesday, November 12th from 5-8pm! Enjoy dinner and drinks while you try out tabletop games from our collection. Games are available for sale if you find a new favorite. This is a great night out for the whole family, and an opportunity to spice up your board game collection for holiday gatherings! Click here to RSVP on Facebook and help spread the word!
Honeybee Vintage
Happy Fall from Honeybee Vintage! The Beetique has all the kids need to stay warm (and cute!) Seasonal outfits, coats, shoes, and more! Visit us on the next First Friday, November 1st from 5-8pm to save 10% or more storewide. Sample some of our gourmet items…nibble and shop! Get your Christmas list ready! $40 gift for you when you buy $100 total in gift certificates. Send your list to hello@honeybeevintagealton.com, and we will have them ready for pickup! Honeybee has 20 vendors offering one-of-a-kind finds, including vintage, antiques, upscale resale, and local art. As always, THANK YOU for shopping small and local. Find Honeybee Vintage at 114 E. Broadway in Downtown Alton or online at www.honeybeevintagealton.com
Clarity Massage Therapy
Fall into the deepest relaxation this season with an unhurried Barefoot/Ashiatsu massage. This massage is performed on a floor mat while my feet and body weight deliver healing at the ultimate depth. $35 for 30 minutes; $70 for 60 minutes; $105 for 90 minutes. This pricing is valid 11-1-24 through 1-1- 25. See you at Alton’s only Ashiatsu/Barefoot massage provider. CLICK HERE to book online!
St. Peters Hardware & Rental
St. Peters Hardware & Rental would like to address True Value’s recent bankruptcy filing. As an independently owned store, we are not filing for bankruptcy and remain committed to serving our community with quality products and service. True Value’s filing is part of a deal to sell its assets to Do It Best Corporation, forming a global network of over 8,000 locations. Despite industry changes, we continue our tradition of personalized service. “Our focus remains on providing the best customer service,” said owner Dan St. Peters. For more information, please visit www.stpetershardware.com
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 attend an in-person session on Monday, October 28th at 1pm at the Bethalto Senior Citizen Center. Find details at www.genesiswmg.com.
The Riverbender Building
The Riverbender Building is centrally located in the heart of Downtown Alton at 200 W. 3rd Street, with 8 small office suites available from $400 per month. Building features include free wifi, conference room, rooftop terrace and flexible lease terms. Find details and take a virtual tour at RiverbenderBuilding.com
Senior Services Plus
Join us Friday, November 1st for a presentation on Wills and Power of Attorney Paperwork sponsored by AARP IL. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required. Call 618-465-3298 ext. 123 to register.
On Thursday, November 14th, attorneys from The Public Interest Law Initiative’s (PILI) Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will be meeting with veterans and seniors and assisting with the preparation of Wills and Power of Attorney documents. This clinic is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register, call 833-275-7454 Ext. 5* or register online HERE.
YOU AIN’T SEEN STUFFING YET! SSP’s November Holiday Luncheon, sponsored by Ameren Illinois, will take place Friday, November 15th in SSP’s School House Grill. No RSVP required! The event is free and open to the public.
Alton Little Theater
ALT presents “BEST OF THE BEST BROADWAY” a concert on Saturday, November 23rd at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 24th at 2pm, both in the Dorothy Colonuis foyer at ALT located at 2450 North Henry St. Your $25 ticket includes appetizers, a chocolate fountain and champagne punch. New and familiar ALT performers will perform some of their favorite Broadway hits and give a sneak-peek at just some of the shows that the group hopes to present in the coming years. Alton Little Theater provides some of that Broadway magic right here at home. Visit altonlittletheater.org or call 618-462-3205 today!
The Audubon Center at Riverlands
The Birdability Big Sit will be held on Saturday, October 26 from 9am-3pm. Join us as we count from the comfort of the 17 foot Big Sit Circle on our back porch! We’ll learn about our birds, community science, and birdability! This is a free event, but registration is recommended and can be found AT THIS LINK. Binoculars available! Hear from conservation speakers at 10am, 12pm & 2pm, enjoy a potluck lunch starting at noon, and enter our raffle drawing to win some fun prizes and swag.
Also on October 26th starting at 5pm, join us for a special evening with artist-in-residence Carmen Alana Tibbets. A gallery walk will feature four bird sculptures created by Tibbets accompanied with live dance and music performances choreographed by Erin Lane. Your $35 ticket can be FOUND HERE and includes conversation with the artists and cuisine by Epicurean Fare. We’ve been integrating art into our mission to build appreciation and understanding of our Great Rivers, birds and other wildlife since 2011.
Join us on November 2nd from 5:30 – 8:00 PM for our annual First Saturday Nature Night event at Little Creek Nature Area. The event will include stargazing, night hikes, s’mores, raffle prizes and a Challenger Learning Center rocket launch activity! The event is free and requires no registration.
Local Business Owner Profile – Madeline Eades
Madeline Eades is excited about the recent move of her business from William Street to 110 W. 3rd in downtown Alton. Coco+Oak is now located in a beautiful space nestled between Bossanova and Olive Oil Marketplace. Madeline says she wasn’t actively looking for a new location but when the space became available she just knew it would be the right move.
Coco+Oak is a unique boutique where you’ll find trendy women’s clothing, jewelry, home décor, and local souvenirs. You might even find a piece of furniture. Madeline also creates her own fashion items including shirts and hats. Before becoming a business owner, Madeline began her career in retail sales, but soon realized that she had a dream. She always loved going to stores and observing how things were displayed. When things clicked, it was magical.
You might wonder where the name Coco+Oak came from. Madeline says she was always fascinated by beautiful Oak trees and says her business philosophy reflects that. Plant a seed and it will grow. Madeline’s love of trendy clothing was influenced by her grandmother Coco who she says was always fashionably put together. She has many memories of shopping with her Grandma. Madeline’s husband David has his own career, but she says he deserves a shoutout for helping with the heavy lifting and for minding the kids at home when she’s busy at the store.
Coco+Oak is open Tuesday through Thursday 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 7pm; Friday from 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Holiday hours may differ. Madeline says she’s really looking forward to the holiday season and all the new and unique merchandise that you’ll find there. You can find Coco+Oak online at cocoandoak.com
Written by Steve Potter