Here’s an update on new Fairview Heights restaurants. Belleville groups plan moves
I took another drive this week to see what’s going on in the area. (I hope to make a habit of this.) I went to Fairview Heights, then took a detour to Collinsville.
My first stop in Fairview Heights was at the building site for Raising Cane’s at 6565 N. Illinois St., the former location of Ruby Tuesday. Since first reporting in December that the restaurant was coming to the area, I’ve been keeping tabs on the project and finally have some new information.
When I visited the site, I met Tony Jimenez, a project superintendent from The MAPP Group, LLC, the firm building the new restaurant. We swapped contact information, and I took a few photos of the progress, from a safe distance of course. Jimenez said I should give him a call in about a month and said he’d get me a hard hat, a vest and a tour of the site.
I plan to take him up on the offer and will share what I learn when that time comes.
Raising Cane’s also issued a press release about the Fairview Heights location.
It is set to open in September, stated the March 30 release. The new Raising Cane’s restaurant will “serve customers through its multi-lane drive-thru, limited-capacity dining, takeout and its mobile app,” stated the release.
Raising Cane’s will hire more than 85 local staff members for positions varying from management-level to hourly crew over the next few months.
“We’re excited to bring our [quality chicken finger meals] to Caniacs in Southern Illinois, and there’s no better place for us to start than in Fairview Heights,” Area Leader of Restaurants Brandon Quinn said in the release. “The new Restaurant is located just seven miles from Scott AFB, and we’re surrounded by shopping centers, so it will be easy for the locals to get their chicken finger fix.”
Raising Cane’s is known for being active in community involvement. “We plan to form partnerships with teams, schools and organizations throughout the Community,” Quinn added, “and we can’t wait ‘til later this year when we get to open our doors to everyone.”
Raising Cane’s Fairview Heights will be the 13th location in the St. Louis area and the first in southern Illinois. Learn more about Raising Cane’s at raisingcanes.com.
Another restaurant opens at Ruby Lane and Lincoln Trail in Fairview Heights
My journey into Fairview Heights also took me past another new restaurant, which was put on my radar by Roger Schlueter, the News-Democrat’s retired Answer Man.
Pop’s Fish & Chicken Market, located at 10616 Lincoln Trail, opened Friday, March 12, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page. There is a huge “Grand Opening” balloon in front of the restaurant.
The site for Pop’s had previously been home to Raqqa Food Mart, Fairview Lounge Bar & Grill and El Niño Mexican Buffet, all of which were owned by Abraham and Lorena Abdalla.
The Abdallas still own the property, according to Lena Alaqra, whose husband, Mazin Alaqra, owns and operates Pop’s. The Alaqras recently moved to the area from Chicago with their child.
The menu for Pop’s includes chicken and fish dishes and combos, lunch specials, dinner options and a variety of sandwiches. Catering services are also available.
The Facebook page also touts that Pop’s is “the first restaurant to offer kids play area and grocery snack section.”
Hours at Pop’s Fish & Chicken Market are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11a .m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Carryout and delivery options are available. For more information, call 618-489-1149 or visit the Facebook page.
Children’s Dyslexia Center, Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies moving to new locations
My detour into Collinsville came about when I received word that the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Southern Illinois would be moving to 417 W. Main St. in downtown Collinsville.
The Children’s Dyslexia Center, a Scottish Rite charity, is moving because of the pending sale of the Scottish Rite building at 1549 Frank Scott Parkway West in Belleville.
The reason for the sale, according to Mark Maxwell, Executive Secretary for Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies of Southern Illinois, is that the organization is downsizing. Maxwell says after nearly 49 years in the 50,000 square-foot building, the fraternal organization will relocate to the Belleville Masonic Temple at 225 E. A St. in downtown Belleville.
Plans are to vacate the Scottish Rite building by April 30.
Maxwell said there are plans to hold a public sale of miscellaneous items that will not be included in the move. A date has not yet been set.
The Children’s Dyslexia Center’s board treasurer, Jessica Darling, is “spear-heading the new facility,” according to Center Director Michele Johnson.
Darling’s name is on the application with the City of Collinsville to “Rezone property located at 417 W. Main Street from ‘B-2’ Limited Commercial District to ‘UCD’ Uptown Collinsville District in order to permit the operation of Children’s Dyslexia Center of Southern Illinois, an education services related business.”
The property is the former location of Evers Pharmacy. It was also the location for Bloomin Diehl’s Flower Shop.
An Oct. 10 letter to the Department of Community Development from the property’s owner, Tom Evers, expressed his support for Center.
“I have interviewed the members of the board of the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Southern Illinois about renting space in my building at 417 W. Main St. in Collinsville,” Evers wrote. “I am enthusiastic about their prospects and wholeheartedly support their attempt at remodeling the space to fit their needs.”
The application was approved in December.
Plans for the new office, which will include eight tutoring rooms, have been completed, Johnson said. Construction bids are also coming in.
“Our hope is that building will start as soon as possible and that we will be able to host a grand re-opening in our new location about mid-September,” Johnson said.
For more information about the Children’s Dyslexia Center, visit the website at readwithdyslexia.com or find them on Facebook.
Other items of interest:
Spot On Nutrition, a smoothie and juice bar at 109 E. Main St. in Collinsville, opened Tuesday, March 30. According to its Facebook page, hours during the first week are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and closed Monday-Sunday, with plans to extend hours for the second week. Visit facebook.com/spotoncollinsville for more information.
WingStop at 1075 Collinsville Crossing Blvd. in Collinsville is now open. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Call 618-551-9464 or visit online at wingstop.com for information.
Smoothie King in O’Fallon opened Monday, March 15. The smoothie and juice bar is located at 1128 Merchants Way, Suite 300. Hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 618-579-9112 or visit the Facebook page.
This story was originally published April 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
