Alton Main Street Newsletter March 2025

Director's Note~

Alton Main Street Pop-Up Clothing Swap

Start spring cleaning your closet now and plan to attend this fun event on Sun, April 6th from Noon-4pm! Join us at Mineral Springs Mall, located at 301 E. Broadway. Bring gently used clothing, shoes & accessories that you no longer want and trade them for as many new pieces as you can carry. It’s just $5 to attend if you bring clothes to swap, or $10 to attend empty-handed! RSVP to the FB event HERE!

Lots happening down on State Street- starting with Jacoby Arts Center!

Jacoby Arts Center is delighted to announce they have signed a lease on a physical space and will be staying in the Downtown District! The arts center will be moving into the former State Street Market location at 208 State Street over the rest of the winter and hopes to be operational by late April/early May. Programming sure to be returning includes the clay studio program, workshops in a variety of art mediums, and the popular Free Kids Art Club as well as Summer Camps for kids ages 3-16! Class offerings will expand as they adjust to their new space. To learn more please visit www.jacobyartscenter.org or follow along with the renovations @jacobyarts on Facebook and Instagram. 

Confluence Barber Also Moves In- Right Next Door!

Confluence Barber Co. has recently opened above AP Cigar Alton, offering refined grooming for the modern gentleman. Whether you’re due for a trim, a beard shape-up , or the full grooming experience, they’ve got you covered. Check them out on Facebook right here.

AP Cigar Alton Offers After Hours Event

Speaking of AP Cigar Alton, they host an after hours event on the 4th Thursday of every month; join them on 3/27 from 3-6pm at the shop located at 202 State. Then the party travels down the street to the beer garden at Mac’s Downtown Alton and continues until 9pm!

Pour Decisions - Come Down to Party!

Pour Decisions at 204 State Street is becoming a mecca for the fun party crowd! The bar & restaurant features spiked slushies in many flavors, Open Mic Mondays, Karaoke Wednesdays, Musical Bingo Thursdays, Comedy Nights, a DJ dance party every Friday & Saturday, and Reggae and Jazz music on Sundays. You can take a look at their Facebook page to keep up on all the new developments RIGHT HERE!

Not On State Street but Right Around the Corner- Chez Marilyn is BACK!

Chez Marilyn has made a triumphant return at 119 W. 3rd under new ownership! The incredible martinis as well as their lunch & dinner menus are getting rave reviews. You can find out more on their FACEBOOK!

BUZZ'd Beer Fest at OBB!

On Sunday, March 23rd join The Old Bakery Beer Company for a day filled with delicious craft beverages and good vibes! Sample over 50 craft beers and beverages, and enjoy live music from Lofty's Comet & a special festival food menu. OBBC is celebrating its 10th Anniversary while also giving back the
Piasa Palisades Sierra Club to support their work with native pollinators! You will get an always adorable commemorative glass to take home with you. For more details or to RSVP to the event CLICK HERE.

Whiskey & Wings Wednesday at Renaissance X

The Renaissance X welcomes you to experience the perfect pairing of their mouthwatering wings with fine whiskey on Wednesday, March 5th from 5-8pm at 401 Piasa Street!

Rock The Hops Returns This Summer!

Rock the Hops returns to Downtown Alton on August 9th, and producers Drew & Hope Mader are excited to invite potential sponsors, venues, musicians, visual artists, beverage makers, and volunteers to be a part of this event that brings together music lovers & art enthusiasts for an electrifying afternoon of live performances, visual artists, makers, and handcrafted libations. Full details and a limited number of Early Bird Tickets are available at www.rockthehopsalton.com!

Comfort Cuisine

Comfort food for a crowd from Comfort Cuisine! Scrumptious custom ordered catered comfort meals, desserts, and boxed lunches. Items are refrigerated with heating instructions provided. Lolly’s Lunchboxes are perfect for business meetings, and her made from scratch desserts will be a hit at your next family gathering! Give the gift of a home-cooked meal of 8x8 or 9x13 pans of her most popular dishes. Let Lolly take the stress out of your dinner party with her delicious Catered Comfort meals which include an entrée, salad or side dish, and dessert for up to 20 people. To learn more, stop by 4 E. Broadway, call 618.353.0200 or visit www.comfortcuisine.biz!

Audubon Native Plant Festival

Celebrate native plants and our environment at the Audubon Native Plant Festival on Saturday, April 26th from 9am-1pm! Learn about local resources for native landscaping and its benefits. There will be plant giveaways, tours of the USACE Riverlands Greenhouse, local food, plant and artisan vendors, family friendly activities, presentations, and guided plant ID hikes with native landscaping and management experts. This outdoor event will be held at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary at 301 Riverlands Way in West Alton, and it’s free to attend!

Bridged LLC Offers Help With Grant Application

The State of IL has announced a small business grant for capital improvements to drive growth, enhance efficiency, promote sustainability, and support job creation/retention. The deadline is 4/7! Bridged, LLC is offering a complementary consultation by phone on best practices and strategies for a strong application, and is available for hire for more in-depth support. For more info, email: Hello@BridgedLLC.com

Senior Services Plus

SSP is hosting a Mobile DMV Clinic on Tuesday, March 11th from 10am-2pm. Renew or correct driver’s licenses, convert existing licenses into REAL ID driver’s licenses, renew or obtain state IDs, (free for seniors aged 65+), or purchase license plate stickers. Call 618-465-3298x123 to reserve your time.

On Monday, March 31st, SSP’s chess group welcomes the St. Louis Chess Club for a Meet & Greet and Game Play, no RSVP required.

SSP’s School House Grill will be serving Fried Fish Platters every Friday (3/7— 4/11) from 11am-1pm for $9.25 while supplies last.

HoneyBee Vintage

March marks one year since Honeybee Vintage opened our doors on Broadway. (Yay, we made it!) Celebrate our one year anniversary with us all month long! Free gift with any purchase. $40 gift bag with $100 purchase, while supplies last. Make plans to join us Saturday, March 15th from 9am-5pm for sips, sweets, and celebration! THANK YOU, Alton!

1st MidAmerica Credit Union

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score, monitor changes, and gain valuable insights into the factors that influence it the most. Understanding what makes up your credit score is the first step toward optimizing it. Our tool provides a detailed breakdown of your score components, helping you identify areas for improvement. We’ve made it easier than ever to enroll in our Credit Score solution. Simply log in to your 1st MidAmerica online or mobile banking and sign up to start monitoring your score today. No hassle — just straightforward access to the information you need to make informed financial decisions. Empower your financial future— enroll in Credit Score at 1st MidAmerica Credit Union today and start boosting your score with confidence. www.1stMidAmerica.org

Big Boys Q

Big Boys Q will now be serving delicious Southern Soul Food at The Conservatory located at 554 E. Broadway, every Thursday-Sunday from 6pm-Close! Chef Ron’s legendary pulled pork, mac & cheese, brats, collard greens and more will be on the menu and you’re guaranteed to have service with a smile!

OSF Saint Anthony's and Chestnut Health Systems

In collaboration with Chestnut Health Systems, OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center will host a free Lunch & Learn session on gambling disorder awareness on Tuesday, March 11, from 11:30am – 1pm at 1 St. Anthony’s Way in Alton. Mental health professionals will provide insights on recognizing problem gambling. Lunch is provided, and registration is required HERE. For details, call (618) 474-6240.

Alton Little Theater Announces Summer Line-Up

Get ready for an unforgettable summer at ALT! First up, Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. (June 19-22) brings beloved Disney Imagineers to life in a magical journey of courage and dreams. Auditions March 29! Then, don’t miss 9 to 5 the Musical (August 8-17), the hilarious and empowering show based on the hit movie, featuring songs written by Dolly Parton. Both productions promise fantastic entertainment for all ages! Audition date announced soon! Tickets are available now—join us for a summer of spectacular theater! Visit altonlittletheater.org for details.

Post Commons Wedding Expo

Back by popular demand, Post Commons is hosting its 3rd annual Wedding Expo in their beautiful event space at 300 Alby Street! If you have recently gotten
engaged, don’t miss this fun and informative event on Sunday, March 9th from 11am-2pm that will leave you feeling prepared. Dozens of local wedding themed vendors including photographers, bakeries and more will have booths at the event with samples and examples of their offerings. Tickets are $15 which includes a mimosa upon arrival and a chance to win half off a venue rental at Post Commons! Grab your tickets HERE or for more info, email: events@postcommons.com

Local Business Owner Profile- Stacey Roach and Brian Trust

When two long-time friends decided to open a business together in downtown Alton it turned out not to be a poor decision. In fact, Pour Decisions has become the best decision the two ever made.

Stacey Roach knew the industry well after nearly twenty years of bartending and operating her own business. Brian Trust has owned and operated Trust Family Auto Sales on Godfrey Road since 2005 and always had a creative side. Maybe you’ve heard his “You’re Beautiful” podcast on Riverbender Radio.

It became a perfect match with Stacey handling the business side and Brian taking care of marketing and planning fun events.  From the beginning the two agreed that although they own the bar they want to know what their customers are looking for so they can provide an  “interactive atmosphere where everyone has fun”.

In addition to a multi-flavored slushie bar and all the regular drink options that you would expect you’ll also find Open Mic Mondays, Karaoke Wednesdays, Musical Bingo Thursdays, and Comedy Nights featuring both in and out of state talent.  The next two Comedy Nights are set for March 14th and 28th.  Brian takes a break from his car business and as “DJ Phat Azz” hosts a dance party every Friday and Saturday.

You’ll hear Reggae and Jazz Music on Sundays. If the bug bites you, Stacey and Brian are always looking for guest DJ’s, guest bartenders, and live bands. A stylish VIP Lounge upstairs is available for rental. A room on the main floor where you can host your own party is available at no charge.

Pour Decisions is located at 204 State Street and is open Friday and Saturdays from 11AM to 3AM and Sunday through Thursday from 11AM -2AM.  Checkout the Pour Decisions Facebook Page because there’s always something new going on.

Written by Steve Potter