Family-owned Eckert’s plans to expand its popular Belleville site, city documents say
Eckert’s Farm in Belleville will soon be growing more than produce, trees and sunflowers.
Plans are in the works for the addition of a new outdoor dining pavilion and music venue, city documents show.
According to the commission’s meeting agenda for Wednesday, Nov. 3, new business includes discussion of site plans and architectural elevations for “the addition of an approximately 5,500 square foot outdoor dining pavilion/music venue, a 700 square foot stage and a 500 square foot restroom” at Eckert’s Belleville Farm, located at 951 S. Green Mount Road.
According to a site plan report from Cliff Cross, director of Economic Development, Planning & Zoning, the 6,600-square-foot addition would be constructed between the existing restaurant and country store.
In addition to the dining pavilion/music venue, stage and restroom building, there will also be 131 parking spaces (five reserved for handicapped use) available, exceeding City Code requirements.
The report includes that the proposed vehicle access to the site will be via existing curb cuts on South Green Mount Road and Illinois 15.
If the Planning Commission approves the proposed plans, it will be forwarded to the City Council for action at the next scheduled meeting on Monday, Nov. 15.
No other information about the expansion was available.
Eckert’s Inc. President Chris Eckert and Marketing Director Amanda Morgan could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Eckert family’s retail business started in 1910 as a roadside stand at its Turkey Hill farm. Today the headquarters site is a popular destination, drawing customers from around the region to buy fresh produce and other products, participate in seasonal events and enjoy the outdoors at its huge family farm.
It is also the site of free outdoor music events in its Summer Concert Series and other activities at the Cider Shed between the store and restaurant. It’s not clear from the Planning Commission agenda whether the Cider Shed would be incorporated into the new project.
Eckert’s Belleville Farm is located at 951 S. Green Mount Road. For more information, call 800-745-0513 or visit eckerts.com.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 11:49 AM.
