Construction work has begun on the expansion project at Eckert’s in Belleville
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Wednesday at Eckert’s in Belleville for the construction of its new outdoor dining pavilion and music venue.
Construction activity at the site is already underway (read: they’re playing in the dirt – which I know I enjoy on occasion). A crew is digging up the area, laying utility lines/pipes and pouring gravel.
Many of those attending the event, myself included, waited inside the store before gathering outside. (Sure, it’s warmer than it’s been, but that wind was cold!)
It was there I met Mike Marchal, president of Holland Construction Services.
Marchal said he’s happy that Holland was hired to work on the new expansion, particularly since Holland handled the expansion and renovation of Eckert’s Country Store and Restaurant in 2009.
Eventually everyone moved outside and past the construction fence to gather in front of the Cider Works building.
Like most groundbreaking ceremonies, there was a group of people with hard hats and shovels.
This group included Eckert’s Inc. President Chris Eckert and his wife and Vice President of Retail Operations Angie Eckert, with members of their staff and family, including their golden retriever, Rosie.
(Fellow dog people, Rosie is a very sweet pooch. Naturally, I had to visit with her.)
Also donning hard hats were Eckert’s CFO Phil Climaco, Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory, Marchal and other representatives from Holland Construction.
A second set of group photos included the addition of more Eckert’s staff, city officials, chamber members and other folks.
Chris Eckert thanked everyone for coming out and briefly talked about the future dining pavilion and music venue, the tasting room and bar with dining area and the donut and custard shop.
Eckert said the music venue area would include free and paid events.
And because the pavilion is outdoors, said Angie Eckert, it will be dog friendly. (Great news for Rosie. My trio of wee beasties are unruly and will have to stay home. Sorry, dogs.)
Chris Eckert also said eventually they “will be able to make hard cider on-site.”
Eckert’s hard ciders are currently outsourced to Brick River Cider Co. but made with their own cider, which is shipped to the St. Louis-based ciderworks.
Mayor Gregory also said a few words, thanking the Eckert family for their ongoing support of and contributions to the City of Belleville.
Gregory said that the residents and the city appreciate their investment and commitment to Belleville.
After the formalities, I had a few minutes to speak one-on-one with Chris Eckert.
Following up on what I previously wrote about the expansion, I learned that the project cost came out to around $5 million.
Eckert said that at this time, they remain on schedule for the Memorial Day opening. However, ongoing supply shortages could potentially cause delays. We’ll have to wait and see.
Regarding the original site plans, Eckert said there have been minor tweaks and adjustments, but the plans remain otherwise unchanged.
The expansion of Eckert’s Belleville Farm includes the addition of an outdoor dining pavilion and music venue, the new Cider House, a new location for the custard and donut shop and a new restroom building.
In a November phone interview, Eckert said the new venue will provide a more comfortable environment for guests during live concerts and other kinds of entertainment, attractions and activities.
The Cider Shed will be “completely rehabbed” and take over the space where the custard shop used to be.
The custard shop will be relocated to the cooking classroom inside the Country Store. The classroom will be remodeled to accommodate the custard shop as well as the cider donut facility, Eckert said in November.
Eckert’s retail business started in 1910 as a “humble roadside farmstand” on the Turkey Hill Farm in Belleville, according to the Eckert’s website.
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.
Eckert’s Belleville Farm is located at 951 S. Green Mount Road. For additional information about this and other Eckert’s locations, call 800-745-0513 or visit eckerts.com.
