O’Fallon Peel’s reopened following recent dumpster fire

Peel Wood Fired Pizza

After a dumpster fire earlier this month spread to the siding of the building that houses Peel Wood Fired Pizza in O’Fallon, the restaurant reopen for business last week.

Peel reopened at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, general manager Jason Castillo said.

The fire started in a dumpster kept behind the restaurant and spread to the building’s exterior siding because the dumpster was made of plastic and was unable to contain the flames.

Store owners credit an interior sprinkler system for dousing the interior of the building, keeping the fire from spreading. There was a full house at the time of the fire, but patrons were ushered to safety without injury.

“We just saw smoke and got out of the building,” one employee said the day of the fire Sunday, April 3.

The exterior on the south side of the building at 104 S. Cherry St. was visibly damaged by fire and water.

Lebanon, Troy and Fairview Heights fire departments responded and assisted O’Fallon Fire Rescue. The fire was put out in about 30 minutes Sunday afternoon around 1:30 p.m.

Firefighters continued to work, using chainsaws to cut into the second story of the building as they checked for embers or other smoke-causing materials in the walls.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Another dumpster burned in O’Fallon the same day, but investigators have said the fires were not related.

Bright Ideas & More

O’Fallon home-based business Bright Ideas & More opened and had its ribbon cutting on March 30 at the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce depot at 116 E. First St. in downtown O’Fallon.

“We are always happy to help a home-based business by having a ribbon cutting at the Chamber office. We feel it’s an added perk we’re able to give,” Debbie Arell-Martinez, chamber executive director, said.

Created by Dwight and Sara Dettmann Bright Ideas & More was created by Sara and Dwight Dettmann. Dwight is a retired Air Force member with 22 years active duty and followed up with 3 ½ years as a government contractor. In 2013 after the Federal Government sequestration, he knew it was time for a change. Bright Ideas & More operates as an LLC and is insured.

The goal of the business is to provide a quality service and customer satisfaction. The business offers ceiling fan and lighting installations along with minor electrical work. Other services include deck and fence repair and minor home improvements.

They can be reached at bright.ideas.n.more@gmail.com.

Wit Café

O’Fallon has a new coffee corner in town — Wit Café.

Developed by Gary and Su Clinton, ninth small business venture together in the past 17 years, WIT stands for ‘Whatever It Takes.’

The business held its ribbon cutting with the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce on March 22 at it’s location at 747 Seibert Road.

O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Arell-Martinez raves about the new watering hole.

“We think Wit Café’ is in the perfect location and we are excited to watch them grow and expand their business,” she said.

Recently retired from the military after serving the nation for 27 years, the couple said the recent O’Fallon endeavor has been their dream to build a small business where they can work side-by-side.

What is great about this particular business, is the amount of time they have to focus on making WIT Café a success, according to the Clinton’s.

When it comes to coffee, Gary and Su have had the opportunity to taste coffees from all over the world as they traveled to places abroad, Arell-Martinez said.

“What they discovered was, the Acidic bitter and burnt taste which can frequently be tasted in the coffee can be removed without destroying flavor,” she said.

Great tasting coffee is a result of three ingredients — bean quality, bean grade and experienced roasters.

With this knowledge, Gary and Su searched for the best tasting affordable coffee they could find, and they did; Mississippi Mud, which is locally roasted in St Louis Mo.

“We care enough about our coffees to guarantee you will enjoy each cup,” Gary said.

Due to lunch time constraints of many individuals who work on U.S. Scott Air Force Base, Su and Gary decided to incorporate a panini grill within their café. Serving only the freshest high end ingredients on their panini sandwiches, they are made to order and the deliciousness is beyond reproach.

In an effort to support other local businesses, the Clinton’s have donuts on the menu from O’Fallon’s mainstay Woods Bakery, which are delivered fresh every morning.

“So take some time out of your busy day and stop on in to WIT Café, a comfortable atmosphere where you will be treated like a best friend,” Su said.

For more information and special promotions visit www.witcafe.com.

Carrollton Bank

Carrollton Bank opened a full service bank on April 4 at the corner of U.S. Highway 50 and Green Mount Road in the building formerly occupied Reliance Bank.

Operating an O’Fallon loan production office since 2010, the bank is no stranger to the area, and will now be able to serve all customers with its full menu of services.

“We have already enjoyed serving hundreds of businesses and families for many years, and are excited that we can work with everyone, and take care of everything they need done,” Dan Jackson, president of the O’Fallon Carrollton Bank branch, said.

Jackson has years of experience as he served as the regional president of Southwest Bank, now called BMO Harris, for 15 years, and now is in his current position with Carrllton.

Like Jackson, the majority of Carrollton’s bankers live in the metro-east area, and all of them have worked at nearby banks previously.

“I’m sure you’ll recognize familiar faces when you visit the bank,” Jackson said.

Currently, the bank is offering .75 percent annual percentage yield (APY) on it’s Money Market accounts with balances of $10,000 or more, which is three times the current national average rate.

“It’s a good time to have your money in a money market account,” Jackson said. “The Federal Reserve plans to increase rates 3.00 percent over the next three years, so you won’t want your money locked in a CD at today’s low rates.”

To try to avoid April showers, the bank will wait until the end of the month — Saturday, April 30 — to host its grand opening barbecue. Jackson invites everyone in the community to attend the celebration. It will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the bank on what Jackson said he hopes will be “a beautiful spring day.”

Founded in 1877 in Carrollton, Ill. by the great-great grandfather of the bank’s current CEO Tom Hough. It is controlled by Hough and other bank officers. According to Hough, this ownership structure makes a critical difference in the way Carrollton does business.

“Since we’re responsible only to ourselves and our customers, we’re free to give people what they want from a bank,” Hough said. “Customers come to us when they can no longer get that one-on-one service they like.”

Carrollton Bank has $1.2 million in assets and nine bank locations, five in Illinois — O’Fallon, Alton, Jerseyville, Carrollton and Springfield; and, four in Missouri — St. Louis Hills, Clayton, Des Peres and St. Charles.

For more information visit www.carrolltonbanking.com.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 2:47 PM with the headline "O’Fallon Peel’s reopened following recent dumpster fire."