Hot chicken, vintage stores and BBQ. This is what’s new with businesses in southwest IL
It looks like business is booming (or soon will be) for many in the metro-east.
Which is good. It gives me something to write about … and helps keep me out of trouble (mostly).
And with that, here’s another handful of places that are new, updated and coming soon.
Heaterz Hot Chicken
An Alton eatery brings the heat to Soulcial Kitchen in Swansea.
Heaterz Hot Chicken is the latest brand to join the popular mobile cloud kitchen and food truck park.
Menu items include chicken – drumsticks, tenders, livers and gizzards – fried shrimp and sides. Specialty items include spicy cheese curds and Nashville hot pork rinds. (Check out the photos on the Heaterz Facebook page.)
The Sept. 7 launch of Heaterz in Swansea was promoted on social media platforms for both Heaterz and Soulcial Kitchen.
On owner Dan King’s own Facebook page, he states that Heaterz has “another huge announcement for October,” indicating plans across the river.
Heaterz opened at 1500 Main St. in Alton in March. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.
Heaterz at Soulcial Kitchen is located at 127 North Belt East in Swansea.
Hours for Soulcial Kitchen are listed on the website and Facebook as 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
For more info about Heaterz Hot Chicken, call 618-636-2500 or visit heaterzchicken.com.
Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market
I needed a little break during work last week, so I spent my lunch hour getting some retail therapy at Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market.
If you haven’t been there in a while, you may not know that owner Christine Blanquart has expanded.
Blanquart recently acquired the building next door at 24 E. Main St., where Sincerely The Craft was previously located, and added a new addition to her downtown Belleville shop.
The Rusty Gem’s expansion, referred to on their Facebook page as “The Man Cave,” is located on the first floor and has tools, whiskey and beer merch, vintage sports equipment and collectibles, furniture and a whole lot more.
There’s some pretty cool stuff in the new space. Heck, there’s pretty cool stuff throughout the whole store. (During my visit, I acquired yet another wooden cigar box for my growing collection.)
Anyway, if you haven’t seen “The Man Cave” at the Rusty Gem, I recommend a visit.
Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market is located at 26 (and 24) E. Main St. in downtown Belleville.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
For more info, call 618-520-6508 or visit facebook.com/BlanquartsVintageMarket.
Lou Belle and Bing
A small business collective that has taken up residence in a historic Collinsville house opens Saturday, Sept. 10.
Lou Belle and Bing is opening a shop on the first floor of the Schroeppel/Brown House.
The shop will offer “vintage clothing, accessories and home decor, as well as original designs,” according to owner Afton Dusek.
“I have over 25 local makers and artists that help me fill the space with their wonderful variety of products,” Dusek wrote in response to an email inquiry I sent on Wednesday.
Dusek stated that at the shop’s previous location on Mall Street in Collinsville, she started with “curated vintage as well as a small selection of wholesale products from local businesses.”
The grand opening event listed on the Lou Belle and Bing Facebook page states that Saturday’s festivities may include live music and attendance prizes.
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to move to an area of town with more foot traffic and exposure, and to be part of all the exciting things happening in Uptown Collinsville,” stated Dusek.
Lou Belle and Bing is located at 317 W. Main St. in Collinsville.
Starting Saturday, hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information about Lou Belle and Bing, visit facebook.com/loubelleandbing.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
A Nashville-style barbecue joint in O’Fallon is set to open Monday, Sept. 19.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que dropped the opening date in a recent press release, stating the restaurant will “be ready to serve fresh Nashville Style BBQ to the people of O’Fallon.”
“Edley’s southern soul is all about GRIT (gutsy, responsible, impassioned and thoughtful). The quality of the food is superb, the ingredients are fresh and we try to buy as much of our ingredients from local vendors,” owner Pat Tyrrell stated in the release.
“We pride ourselves with not taking any shortcuts in the kitchen. Our meats are smoked low and slow using Southern white oak. The sides are made from scratch daily with the same amount of attention,” stated owner Stacey Tyrrell.
Edley’s O’Fallon will be managed by Matt Moore of O’Fallon.
“We will offer a full bar for our guests, including our famous Bushwacker and multiple craft beers on tap,” stated Moore, who has more than 18 years of experience in the food industry.
In addition to the food and drink, Edley’s will provide live music every Saturday.
The Tyrells plan to hire 35 employees. Interested job seekers can apply online at indeed.com.
The family owned and operated establishment is the second in the area. The Tyrells also own the Glen Carbon location, which opened in July 2021 and is the first franchise for Edley’s.
Plans to build the second Edley’s location in O’Fallon were made public last September.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que is located at 531 W. Highway 50 in O’Fallon.
To learn more about Edley’s, visit edleysbbq.com or facebook.com/EdleysBBQ.
This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 12:23 PM.
