O’Fallon bustling with new, future dining options as businesses open amid COVID-19

New dining options are planned for O’Fallon’s downtown district and fast-casual franchises are opening at The Shops at Richland Creek, which borders Greenmount Road, Frank Scott Parkway and Central Park Drive.

Along with a thriving Vine Street Market, planned expansion of 1st Street Lounge, newly remodeled American Legion, a new storefront for Saddleback Chocolates, and a food and beverage nook at Bike Surgeon, the culinary options have mushroomed downtown.

Community Development Director Justin Randall said the revitalization of downtown has been one of his favorite things to watch grow.

Randall is enthusiastic about the continued development of the revamped Downtown District, and how the business owners want to work together for its success.

“The Downtown District continues to flourish and grow, despite the current COVID-19 pandemic. That growth is a real testament to work and investment made by our Downtown District businesses to become a regional destination,” he said. “We are looking forward to these new businesses continuing to build upon the Downtown District’s overall appeal for our citizens and visitors.”

Boarding House Bistro

Chrissy and Jim Johnson opened Boarding House Bistro downtown at 212 E. State St. in November, not letting a global coronavirus pandemic deter them. Jim opened his own business, Johnson Home Contracting, while Chrissy oversaw the bistro.

“Maybe we’re crazy for doing so, but both of our businesses are busy and thriving, so we’re running with it!” she said.

“Our hearts are in O’Fallon. We love how the city has grown and the ongoing improvements being made to downtown. When we decided to open a business, we knew it had to be in the Downtown District and we are so excited to be a part of making it a desirable destination,” she said.

Their specialty is freshly prepared, special order charcuterie boards and gift boxes. They include an artful display of many local cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruits, nuts, olives, pickles, jams and sweet treats. The items rotate seasonally.

The Johnsons have always enjoyed hosting parties and entertaining.

“We love to look around the room and see everyone having a great time,” Chrissy said.

Her dream was to open a one-stop shop for social gatherings, inspired by her love for cheese, wine, entertaining and design. When she was introduced to charcuterie for the first time, she knew that was the missing piece to her plan.

More about the business

Johnson explained charcuterie originated from 15th century France where butcher’s sold pork products that were salted and smoked to preserve the meat. Today, charcuterie is an artful display of meats, cheeses and various paired accoutrements.

“Quality, presentation and attention to detail is most important to us and displayed in every order we create. It’s all about variety, flavor combinations and design. It is grazing and conversation. It is gathering and sharing. Charcuterie is an experience,” she said.

Chrissy said their boards and boxes are special ordered at least 24 hours in advance on their website. Customers can choose from over 20 local cheeses and 10 Volpi meats.

They also sell unique gifts and have a petite deli so people can purchase items to make their own board at home. Their local products available include Balance Coffee and Grindstaff Rub Co. of Belleville and Bee Gurge Honey, Nitro Salsa and Suga Pies, all of O’Fallon.

Bottle shop, Bistro Bar

They have added a Bottle Shop with a curated selection of wine, beer and spirits. The city approved their request for both a package liquor and pour liquor licenses for retail sales and onsite consumption, and a patio area outdoors.

“We will soon be opening our Bistro Bar. We’ll have a wine, beer and cocktail menu as well as Bistro Bites, including charcuterie boards, dips and flatbreads,” she said.

“Our seating space is limited, but the atmosphere is so charming that it is really just perfect for a quaint afternoon or evening. We’re planning to have wine tastings, bourbon tastings, cheese pairings and we have many creative charcuterie ideas to come,” Chrissy said.

“We’re taking baby steps on our journey as there’s always room to grow, learn and do better,” she said.

The Johnson family

Chrissy grew up in Fairview Heights and met her husband, Jim, at Belleville East. They settled in O’Fallon 20 years ago.

“To raise our family,” she said. “We have two boys, Braden, 19, and Boston, 13.”

Their youngest son is terminally ill with Batten Disease.

“But despite his condition he has so much determination and has definitely taught us to make the most of this life,” she said.

Chrissy earned an associate degree in art with a passion for design, working in the restaurant industry for 10 years, design industry for six and the liquor industry for four.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. The phone number is 618-726-7180. Website is: https://boardinghousebistro.com.

1st Street Lounge Expansion

New owners Tom and Tracy Moreland have asked for rezoning so they can construct a 12-foot by 32-foot addition to the rear of the existing building at 119 W. First St.

1st Street Lounge is a bar and restaurant located in downtown O’Fallon. The addition will contain a wash area for the kitchen and a food/beverage storage area. This will allow them to close their existing office and move the cooler to the outside to provide more space on the inside.

“This will allow us to have a better flow through our workspace,” they wrote in their application.

The O’Fallon City Council is expected to approve the ordinance Monday.

After construction, the site will have a 2,624 square foot footprint with over 57 percent lot coverage, which exceeds the 50 percent lot coverage allowable in the B-1, Community Business District.

A variance has been recommended, allowing the building to be constructed with 57 percent lot coverage.

For more information on 1st Street Lounge, call 618-206-6609 or check out their Facebook page. Their menu is available at: https: //musthavemenus.com.

Birch Market

The O’Fallon City Council will also act on a request from Birch Market on Tuesday, Feb. 16, and is expected to approve the ordinance.

A new concept in food service, Birch Market will be located at 227 W. First St. It will sell take-home meals and ancillary retail alcohol sales.

The applicant is Rick Huskey of 227 W. First St., who is seeking a planned use for an addition to the west side of the building. It is necessary because of the building’s proximity to residential uses, lot coverage and the alcohol sales, Randall told the Planning Commission.

The gourmet pre-made meals will be carry-out only, no onsite consumption. People can take them home and heat the meals in their oven.

Chef Greg Maggi and his wife, Christie, have lived in O’Fallon for 10 years. Greg opened Birch Culinary Company in St. Louis over 10 years ago, and it has evolved into a Birch to Go food service, events and corporate catering.

Examples of the full-service prepared meals that will be available at their downtown operation are lasagna by the slice, pastas by the pound, sliced meats and vegetable sides by the pounds as well as sheet pan dinners and curated meals.

Additional items offered at Birch Market

They will have a sandwich counter, salads, side dishes and bakery goods.

“For lunch, we’ll have a sandwich combo, fresh to order,” Christie said.

“We have curated a wonderful selection of dried goods to help with your dinner prep and enhance your daily meals. Offerings will include pasta sauces, dried pastas, unique condiments and spreads,” Christie said.

“We will also have a refrigerated case with fresh prepared sauces, appetizers, and dips. We will carry a small selection of wines, beers, and canned cocktails. Our goal is to create a relaxed, convenient dinner option that offers high quality and chef driven foods. We will not have any dine-in seating,” she said.

“The concept is to be 85 percent cooked, and then you go home and finish it, so it’s perfectly done,” she said. ‘If you get a carryout meal from a restaurant, sometimes the food isn’t warm when you get home, so you either eat it as is, room temperature, or you heat it up, then it’s overdone. This will be like you are eating restaurant-quality food, but it’s at home,” she said.

Additionally, Birch Market will have two pastry chefs on staff. They plan to be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for lunch and dinner carry outs.

COVID adjustment, updates to building

Christie said COVID-19 changed the food business, and they decided to go with this concept, so a family could eat at their dining room table, and people could order one piece or a fourth-pound of something.

The existing 4,730 square-foot commercial building has office space and a garage. Through the Downtown District Façade Improvement Grant Program, the building’s former 1970s façade was updated with brick, metal and storefront windows, and a metal canopy with lighting underneath.

This will be their first brick-and-mortar operation, Christie said. They hope to open in May.

They have been at Vine Street Market before with baked goods, and plan to be there again in spring and summer.

“We’ll have breakfast sandwiches, cookies,” she said.

The Shops at Richland Creek, more future openings

Chicken Salad Chick opened Jan. 13 in O’Fallon and is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except for Sundays.

The fast casual chain was started by Stacy Brown in Auburn, Alabama, in 2008, and has now expanded to 16 states. In Illinois, there is one in Edwardsville and another is in East Peoria; in St. Louis, there are two.

They feature over 12 different kinds of chicken salad, with names inspired by real-life women the owner knew, such as Fancy Nancy, Olivia’s Old South and Kickin’ Kay Lynne.

The menu also includes pimiento cheese, egg salad, other sandwiches, soups, sides and desserts.

Multi-unit franchise owner Hannah Lukowski of SJ Restaurants brought Chicken Salad Chick first to Edwardsville in 2019. She also owns three Firehouse Subs throughout the area.

The address is 1128 Merchant’s Way, Suite 310. Phone is 618-323-3854; the website is https://www.chickensaladchick.com/ofallon-il/.

Meanwhile, Taco Bell has also opened at The Shops. Smoothie King is expected to open in the spring while Popeye’s, Burger King and Five Guys Burgers + Fries will open in the summer.

This story was originally published February 10, 2021 at 7:00 AM.