A Belleville gift shop reopens. O’Fallon businesses open with more in the works.
Jan’s Hallmark in Belleville reopened Saturday after a water line break in February forced the store to temporarily close.
The store location’s manager, Jessica Durham, said she and the rest of the staff are looking forward to seeing customers again.
Durham also mentioned that the reopening is just in time for the release of a new toy line, Squishmallows, and the July premiere of this year’s Christmas ornaments.
I recently drove past the store to see how things were going. I could see the employees through the windows, unpacking merchandise and setting up multiple displays at the front of the store. There was a hand-drawn sign in the window that read, “Reopen Soon! We miss you!”
A June 2 Facebook post included photos of the progress being made to prepare for reopening and stated, “Hey Belleville it’s been a long time but we will see you all soon!”
Jan’s Hallmark is located at 5541 Belleville Crossing St. in Belleville. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 618-355-9400.
Eckert’s Summer Market to reopen
Eckert’s St. Louis Farm Market will reopen this month in a former Old Lucky’s Market location at 9530 Manchester Road in Rock Hill.
The seasonal market is open from mid-June through late August, with hours varying by season. The market carries Eckert’s produce, popular bakery items, Amish salsa, honey, jams, salad dressings and apple cider.
The Lucky’s Market Rock Hill store closed in early 2020 after the grocery chain’s primary financial backer, Kroger, announced in December 2019 that it planned to divest its ownership share.
For information about Eckert’s St. Louis Farm Market, call 800-745-0513 or visit eckerts.com.
New metro-east Scouts store
The Greater St. Louis Area Council recently announced the location of its new metro-east Scout shop. BSA Outfitters Metro East will be located at 5205 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, in Chateau Plaza.
The new 3,000 square-foot store will feature “new fixtures, more merchandise, a larger sales space, (and a) modern appearance,” according to a release.
The new store is near Interstate 64 in the same plaza as Dollar General. The tentative opening date is Monday, Aug. 2.
Belleville Meyer Service Center and Scout Shop was located at 335 W. Main St. in Belleville and permanently closed in mid-April.
For more information about BSA Outfitters Metro East and other scout shops in the St. Louis area, visit stlbsa.org.
Businesses grow in O’Fallon
The O’Fallon City Council’s agenda for its June 7 meeting includes a motion to approve plans for a Ziggi’s Coffee location at 207 Scott-Troy Road. The Colorado-based coffee shop specializes in flavored coffee drinks and also offers teas, smoothies and other beverages, baked treats and breakfast sandwiches.
The coffee shop is part of the continued development of the area around the McKendree MetroRecPlex, which opened in 2017.
A new CC Food Mart has opened in the development at 203 Scott-Troy Road. The 6,600 square-foot store, the chain’s 12th location in the metro-east, opened May 12 with a ribbon cutting.
O’Fallon’s newest bar, Gears, opened Thursday, May 27, at 201 E. State St. The bar is located inside the Bike Surgeon bike shop and offers more than 30 microbrews, locally bottled sodas, sandwiches and more.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For information, call 618-622-1693 or visit facebook.com/Bikesurgeon.
Divine Thrift & Consign Resale Shop opened May 24 in O’Fallon. The shop is located at 111 W. State St. in O’Fallon’s historic downtown shopping district and is open noon to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Private shopping and parties are available by appointment. For more information, call 618-741-0646 or visit facebook.com/divinethriftandconsign.
Other items of local interest:
▪ FirstMid Bank & Trust recently sold a 1.3-acre commercial site located in the Villages at Wingate on North Green Mount Road in Shiloh for the future development of a multi-tenant retail center. Domino’s Pizza is one of the tenants, according to a May 24 release from Barber Murphy Commercial Real Estate Solutions.
The Villages at Wingate is located on more than 170 acres along Green Mount Road. In addition to a variety of new family homes, the community includes retail and professional office space, an elementary school and senior living facilities.
For more information about the Villages at Wingate, visit villagesatwingate.com.
▪ A new arts and crafts shop has opened in Maryville. Kraft’n Korner, LLC, located at 27 Executive Plaza Court, offers craft and art classes for all ages.
In addition to offering classes, Kraft’n Korner rents out classrooms for group crafting parties. Artists and crafters can also rent workspace.
Hours for Kraft’n Korner are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Classes and private parties may be held on any day of the week. For more information, call 618-205-3377, email kraftnkorner@gmail.com or visit kraftnkorner.com.
▪ The Muny announced that reduced capacity restrictions have been lifted for the 2021 season. Current season ticket holders will receive their tickets later this month, and new subscriptions for this season’s shows will be available starting June 7. Single tickets will go on sale July 12.
The Forest Park box office will remain closed for walk-up service until July 5.
This season’s schedule:
“Smoky Joe’s Café” – July 26 through Aug. 1
“The Sound of Music” – Aug. 3-9
“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” – Aug. 12-18
“On Your Feet!” – Aug. 21-27
“Chicago” – Aug. 30 through Sept. 5
For tickets and information, call 314-361-1900 or visit muny.org.
