Downtown Belleville business expands into former neighborhood spice shop
A historic house in downtown Belleville that was transformed into a place to meet and hang out more than two years ago has expanded into a neighboring space that also has a rich past.
Bungalow, located at 316 E. Main St., has taken over the former Crystal & Spice Shoppe at 318 E. Main St., providing additional space for parties, pop-up events and other gatherings.
Owner Zach Bair acquired the property in June and shared details of its transition from charming spice shop to elegant (and spacious!) event setting.
“Brighter and lighter” with more room to move
Those who visited Crystal & Spice may remember that many jars and shelves — filled with delicious scents and flavors — occupied the shop.
The previous owners cleared everything from the property, opening up the space to something that appears larger than it used to.
Hardware and shelving were all sold, according to Bair, but there were exceptions that included bump-out cabinets and multiple mirrors from a hair salon that once occupied the site.
Bair repurposed materials from the cabinets to create buffet pieces that are part of the venue’s furnishings. The mirrors line the walls on both sides of the room, helping to make the space feel larger than its 938 square feet.
At the front of the room are banquette seats from an old bar that burned down. Bair reupholstered them with cowhide pieces he had for a long time, blue suede and other fabrics and topped with throw pillows made with blue velvet and patterned vintage fabrics.
The room itself was painted with a rich, golden yellow that brings a warm feeling to the space. New flooring was installed, new lights and ceiling fans were added, and art was displayed, adding small splashes of color at the back of the room.
Four long tables with 10 chairs each fill the majority of the floor space, which can accommodate 40 to 60 guests.
The chairs are new — “That’s pretty much it,” said Bair. Everything else came from something old.
“Brighter and lighter” was the goal, said Bair. “It came out pretty great.”
The biggest change to the space is the new opening from the room at 318 E. Main St. leading to the covered porch area at 316 E. Main St.
The cozy venue with a big personality
Bungalow at 316 E. Main St. saw minimal changes since opening more than two years ago. The biggest difference is the addition of the enclosed front porch, which flows into the expansion building.
The venue’s interior remains stylish with its rich colors and décor. Some changes since opening include the addition of a bar, made from a converted church altar dating back to the 1960s, located near the kitchen area.
An antique carousel horse purchased from Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market sits on top of the bar, which is lined with barstools acquired from a bar that closed in Florida and recovered in vintage fabrics.
Art on display around the bar includes drawings from an estate sale in Chicago.
The other side of the original venue space, which includes a beautiful fireplace and a wall of mirrors, contains tables able to seat 24 people for dining. Small oil paintings from the mid- and late 19th century are framed in gold and are displayed on an exposed brick wall.
With the decorative elements, “the history is important, even if the stories aren’t all told,” said Bair.
“We want the fun personality,” he said.
Two family businesses share a seasoned history
Gloria and Rod Smith first opened Crystal & Spice in the Olde Town Mall in 1983. The shop moved to 318 E. Main St. in 1998, where it operated until its permanent closure around fall 2023.
By January 2024, the store had been closed for several months. Gloria Smith told the BND in a phone interview at the time that she’d like to see the store reopened, but she was unable to give an indication of when — or if — that could happen.
In March 2024, Grimm & Gorly and Pour@322 began selling spices once offered at Crystal & Spice.
Bair’s memories of visiting the spice shop while growing up inspired him to bring the experience back to Belleville. He reached out to the Smith family to ask if he could contact their supply vendors, and the family gave its blessing.
Earlier this year, Zach and Jeff Bair met with Gloria and her children, Kimberly Hankammer and Todd Smith, to talk about the property, which the family agreed to sell.
Gloria said she was glad the buildings stayed together, according to Zach Bair, and that if her shop would to go to anyone, she’s glad it went to them.
As for the timing, Bair said “it happened when it was supposed to happen.”
About Bungalow
Bungalow is located at 316 and 318 E. Main St. in Belleville.
Hours are by appointment from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. For appointments, bookings and additional info, call 618-212-0316 or visit bellevillebungalow.com.
For updates and events, check out the Bungalow Facebook page.
