February 27, 2016
A Marketing Supplement to Sauk Valley Media
2016
WHYY SUPPORT LOCALLY OCA Y OWNED WN D BUSINESSES US N SS S? 1. LOCAL CHARACTER AND PROSPERITY In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage. 2. COMMUNITY WELL-BEING Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes. 3. LOCAL DECISION-MAKING Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions. 4. KEEPING DOLLARS IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community. 5. JOB AND WAGES Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do. 6. ENTREPRENEURSHIP Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.
7. PUBLIC BENEFITS AND COSTS Local stores in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution. 9. COMPETITION A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. 10. PRODUCT DIVERSITY A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
Publishers of The Telegraph • Daily Gazette • SV Weekend www.saukvalley.com
Reprinted with permission from the New Rules Project (www.newrules.org), a national initiative to strengthen local economies.
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2 • Sauk Valley Media
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
Buy Local: Amboy & Dixon Local banks merging this year sites, two in Amboy and two in Dixon, as well as an ATM machine at KSB Hospital in Dixon. Franklin Grove Bank, which was founded as a private bank in a general store in 1880, and was chartered in 1889, has five employees, all of whom are welcome to stay with the company, Hickey said. Bill LeFevre, is chairman of the board and president of Franklin Grove Bank. “We are confident that the merger will create a stronger community bank that is better positioned to serve Amboy, Franklin Grove and surrounding communities than could be achieved separately,” he and Hickey said in the release. In addition, Farmers State Bank of Sublette, which has two locations, is being bought by, and will merge with, Pioneer State Bank.
By SVM Staff Special to Buy Local
There have been a recent rash of small-town bank mergers. Except for the name changes, customers will see few changes Franklin Grove Bank will merge with The First National Bank in Amboy in a transaction expected to close in the second quarter of this year. The merger, approved by both boards, must meet regulatory conditions, said Mike Hickey, chairman of the board and president of Amboy Bancorp Inc., the Amboy bank’s parent company. The Franklin Grove Bank, 108 N. Elm St., will become a First National branch, and First National Bank’s management team will manage both banks, the release said. First National Bank has the equivalent of 50 fulltime employees at four
The move, also expected to close during the second quarter of this year, and also pending regulatory approval, will give Pioneer about $103 million in assets and four branches – its two original banks in Earlville, in LaSalle County, one in Paw Paw, and two in Sublette, the latter three in Lee County. All will be Pioneer State banks. All of the Sublette banks’ nine employees will be retained; they will join Pioneer’s staff of 23,
the company said. NBE Bancshares Inc. is the holding company for Pioneer State Bank; FSB Corp. is the holding company for Farmers State Bank of Sublette. Pioneer offers agricultural operating lines and machinery and equipment loans, as well as loans on commercial, farmland and residential real estate. Don Dinges is chairman and president of Farmers State Bank of Sublette.
“We feel Pioneer, with its strong focus on customer service and community support, is a great fit for our customers, employees, and the Sublette community,” he said in the release. Michael Stevens is president and CEO of Pioneer. “We are pleased to announce our agreement to acquire Sublette Bank, which has a long and illustrious history of providing superior service to the community of Sub-
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lette,” he said in the release. “Together, we can offer a broader range of products and services ... along with a level of personalized customer service that is often missing from the big banks.” To find bank branches visit:
Dixon North Dixon South 1314 N. Galena Ave. 728 S. Crawford Ave. 800-216-0008
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Oliver’s corners the market in service and quality thing that’s not the best grade we can find,” Patty said. “If it’s even a grade below ‘choice,’ we don’t carry it. … We just won’t stoop any lower.” The store has a produce department with a salad bar, as well as a bakery and deli that has a sandwich bar and hot dishes. The store also carries the pantry staples and household basics, just with less variety. Patty and Tim, married more than 30 years, bought the small-town grocery store in 1987. They had a partner for the first 7 years, then bought him out. They have been sole owners ever since. “I had wanted to be in business since my childhood,” Patty said. “I always felt it was my calling.” “It’s a necessity, and it’s an integral part of any
By Kayla Heimerman Special to Buy Local
DIXON – On the corner of Brinton Avenue and Bradshaw Street, in the heart of Dixon, is a small store with big heart. Oliver’s Corner Market has been the quintessential neighborhood grocery store for nearly 30 years. “We are a traditional grocery store with less variety than a superstore,” owner Patty Oliver said. “We try to offer everything that a person would need on a daily basis, and we try to offer it with convenience, quality, and service.” The store boasts a meat counter – where owner Tim Oliver does doubleduty as the butcher – that carries only the highestquality beef, pork, and chicken available. “We don’t offer any-
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niche for many of their customers. “No one does 100 percent of their shopping at one store,” Patty said. “We want to be your first store, obviously, but we know who we are, the niche we fill, and we try to fill that niche to the best of our abilities. “There are some people we see every day, some people we see once a week, and some people who just stop and get their meat for the month,” she Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com said. “We see just about The couple behind the counters at Oliver’s Corner Mareverything. We see the ket are also the owners, Tim and Patty Oliver. neighborhood, but we also draw from the great- is the produce manager ews, and even some of and bookkeeper. Their their grandchildren. er area.” Oliver’s Corner MarAside from its meat, nephew is the assistant Oliver’s might be best manager and his wife is ket, 748 N. Brinton Ave. known for its community the bakery and deli man- in Dixon, is open from service. The store is a reg- ager. Their brothers and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; ular donor to local fund- sisters have worked at the closed Christmas Day. raisers. And every week- store, as well as all six of Call 815-288-7480 or find end, from April through their children, many of it on Facebook to learn July, the store has a their nieces and neph- more. cookout in the parking lot to benefit local sports teams, nonprofit groups, and other organizations. “It started out probably when we first went into business,” Patty recalled. “A good customer of ours, her daughter got sick, and we had a parking lot cookout and raised $2,000 for them. The idea just came to us that, if we could do it for this family, then we could do it for another family or for an organization. The idea just grew from there.” Groups sell hot dogs and pork chops, and Oliver’s supplies the meat and buns at cost, and donates the ice, condiments, and paper products. “The money they make Liberty Court Assisted Living & Memory Care is theirs,” Patty said. Oliver’s Corner Market 124 Liberty Court • Dixon, IL 61021 truly is a family-owned and -operated business. Tim and Patty almost always are at the store: Tim www.meridiansenior.com is the butcher, while Patty
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community. It’s challenging – every small business is challenging. It’s the same thing every day, but it’s always different.” Oliver’s is part of a cooperative; Patty and Tim own part of a warehouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The membership gives them not only more buying power, but also greater ability to source specialty items, such as gluten-free products. “There are literally thousands of items available to us that weren’t available before,” Patty said. Technology has undoubtedly changed the grocery business, as much of the behind-the-scenes work has moved from paper to computer. But product availability also has grown and changed the business, as customers become more health conscious and seek more all-natural, organic, and/ or locally produced food. Oliver’s recently expanded its meat offerings to include grass-fed bee, and a produce department expansion will include more local and organic fruits and vegetables, an expanded salad bar, an all-natural, organic, and/or gluten-free shelf items. Oliver’s has remained a community pillar because it offers services that are unmatched by the big-box stores. “We offer personal service: We’ll carry your groceries to your car, we’ll deliver them to your home,” Patty said. “Plus, we offer the convenience of not having to drive across town to then walk through a huge store.” The Olivers know most people do not and cannot do all of their grocery shopping at their store. But they know they fill a
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
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Sauk Valley Media • 3
Buy Local: Dixon
ABOVE: Men’s shaving and smoking items are a hot seller right now. RIGHT: Items for all interests can be found at the Dixon store. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com Maureen and Mykola Pawchuk of Mr. and Mr’s P’s.
Curiouser and curiouser Mr. and Mrs. P’s is a wonderland of eclectic antiques By Kayla Heimerman Special to Buy Local
DIXON – Mykola and Maureen Pawchuk are buried in treasure. In their shop, Mr. &
Mrs. P’s, in an old, narrow two-story house at 710 S. Galena Ave., they are surrounded by antique armoires that display beautiful China teacups and saucers, Depression
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glass bowls and plates, and porcelain dishes. The walls are covered in artwork of varying styles and eras. Each room is filled with unique and wonderful items. “We have a lot of goodquality used items,” Myk said. “We have antique furniture. We have collectibles. We have a lot of artwork.” “But then we have all these other things,” Maureen added. “That’s why we say, ‘antiques, collectibles, and other curious things.’” The Pawchuks have been married more than 35 years and have been in business more than 30 years, first in Elmhurst, then between two shops in Oak Park and Chicago, and since 2008, in Dixon. Treasure-hunting was something they could do together. Myk, a self-proclaimed “picker,” handles much of the buying and selling, as well as the pickup and delivery of items. Maureen works with the customers. Both are excellent hosts. The turn-of-the-century house, with original hardwood floors and arched doorways, is packed: Each of the six rooms displays items around a theme; a child’s bedroom houses vintage toys and games, a rocking horse, and a high chair, while the kitchen, with its porcelain farmhouse sink, showcases vintage cookware, utensils, and a shelf full of novelty salt and pepper shakers.
The merchandise always is changing as trends always are changing. The Pawchuks keep tabs on the industry and pick up items at auctions and flea markets. They don’t sell primitives or much in the way of rustic or shabby chic decor, although they do keep a few country-style items on hand, such as old crocks and old wooden crates, because they always sell well. “If you are looking for unusual, but good-quality items, then we have ‘em,” Myk said. “This is a great place to find that unique gift,” Maureen added. Mr. & Mrs. P’s is on the corner of Galena Avenue and Seventh Street, at the stoplight. The Pawchuks consider it the “best location in town.” They estimate that 80 percent of their customers are outof-town visitors, while the other 20 percent are locals. They attribute that to their location not far from the Interstate, but not quite downtown. Many people pop into the shop to ask for recommendations for places to eat, places to have a cup of coffee, or things to check out. “It’s like we’re the unofficial tourism office,” Myk said. “And they always stay and look around, and they take this trip down memory lane,” Maureen added.
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4 • Sauk Valley Media
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
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Sauk Valley Media • 5
Buy Local: Dixon The road to success: Dixon company cares about its products, its people, and its community BY LONNIE C. MILLER Special to Buy Local
DIXON – Bonnell Industries is a family business with values to match. Founded 55 years ago, the company has become one of northern Illinois’ leading truck equipment distributors, and also is a major supplier of snowplows and spreaders for cities nationwide. Bonnell also services what it sells. Joe Bonnell, now the third generation to run the company, and his wife, Cindy, also are caring, community-minded business owners. In April, when a tornado tore through Ashton, the couple wanted to help, and they invited their employees to join them – on the clock. Joe and Cindy drove to Ashton the night of the storm with a pickup loaded with personal donations. The next day, they offered their staff a chance to help, too, and 42 workers went to the storm site. It was too soon, as it hap-
pens – officials weren’t accepting volunteer help at that time. On the way back to Dixon, though, the Bonnell crew saw a farm that had sustained heavy damage. Its elderly owner was more than happy to accept their help. “When a crisis hits, the whole world stops; suddenly there are more important things than your daily routine and showing up for work,” Joe said. Going above and beyond is a philosphy that carries over to his company. “We are committed to manufacturing, distributing, installing and servicing the best and most innovative solutions for our customers in the truck and road equipment industry, constantly striving to improve industry standards and to exceed the customer’s expectations,” he said. He believes that is the the secret to Bonnell’s growth, and he depends on veteran staff members
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to pass that mission on to each new employee. Kyle Dixon has worked in the shipping and receiving department for 8 years, and summed up what he believes is a key part of the company’s success: “Joe and plant manager Tom Massey are good guys to work for. They are great at building teams that are skilled and work well together. “The most impressive thing I found when I came on board was that a lot of the employees here really care about the quality of production, and Joe really cares about his employees.” It must be working: The company has seen steady growth over the last five decades. It all began when Jesse Bonnell, then a driver with a road construction contractor, saw a need for portable welding services dedicated to repairing the axles on heavy-duty trucks. In October 1960, he opened J.L. Bonnell’s Welding Service in his shop at his Dixon home. In 1972, he moved his growing business to its current location on more than 4 acres at 1385 Franklin Grove Road, where he had an 8,700-square-foot shop, a 1,400-square foot office, and later, a warehouse. In 1980, he added snowplows to his line, and 2 years later doubled his shop space. Bonnell retired in 1984, and sold the business to
Joe and Cindy Bonnell.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com One of Bonnell Industries’ specialties is its industrial snow removal equipment. The company is a major supplier of snowplows and spreaders throughout the U.S.
his son, Bob. The company became a full-time truck equipment distributor in 1985. The original office building was demolished in 1997, making way for new offices and a 2,000-square-foot display showroom. A 4,600-square-foot warehouse was added for prod-
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uct storage and shipping. Today, Bonnell Industries is one of the leading truck equipment distributors in northern Illinois, making and selling snow and ice control equipment, truck equipment, road maintenance equipment, power equipment and municipal contractor
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equipment and supplies. And Joe Bonnell, Bob’s son, is now in the driver’s seat. Bonnell Industries is at 1385 Franklin Grove Road in Dixon. Find it on Facebook, go to www.bonnell. com or call 815-284-3819 or 800-851-9664 for more information.
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6 • Sauk Valley Media
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
Buy Local: Milledgeville, Prophetstown CGH Medical Center has been caring for patients since 1909, and today offers 16 area locations and clinics. By SVM Staff Special to Buy Local
CGH Medical Center has been caring for patients since 1909, and today offers 16 area locations and clinics. The hospital, which merged with the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic, now the CGH Main Clinic, in December 2010, has facilities in Sterling, Rock Falls, Dixon, Milledgeville, Morrison, Mount Carroll, Polo, Prophetstown, Tampico and Walnut. Its service area encompasses 105,000 people, and it employs more than 1,400 people, with a medical staff of 140 physicians specializing in 35 medical areas.
A major expansion was completed in 2008, which produced a new suite of surgical rooms, a new Obstetrics Department and Birthing Center, a new Critical Care Unit, and a new Digestive Health Center. In the spring, CGH opened a second Cardiac Cath Lab, and a new stateof-the-art Emergency Department that features 26 private treatment rooms, six easy care areas, two new trauma rooms, secured access, and streamlined registration. Inpatient services include a 36-bed medical unit, a 28-bed surgical unit, 10 birthing center suites, six pediatric beds, and 18
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CCU/ICU/Biotelemetry beds. Outpatient services include the state-of-the-art Cath Lab and an accredited laboratory. Diagnostic imaging services include a 64-ring CT scanner, nuclear medicine with SPECT scanning, ultrasound, dedicated mammography including digital mammography and an inhouse, high field MRI. Other departments and services include a neurology laboratory, a GI laboratory and nutritional support, pain management, pharmacy, and respiratory therapy. In addition, CGH offers an ambulatory surgical center, a digestive health center, physical and occupational therapy, a diabetic education department, a wound care center, and a 24-hour trauma ready emergency department. CGH also operates its own day care center adjacent to the campus. In fiscal year 2015, CGH and its 16 satellite facilities provided more than $37.5 million in free and discounted care. On Jan. 1, 2014, Illinois expanded medical cover-
age to adults under the Affordable Care Act, which has significantly reduce the number of uninsured patients. As a result, charity care, bad debt, and self-pay discounts combined total was $16.2 million, $30 million less than the prior fiscal year. CGH also continuously gives back to the community through community sponsorships; donations and support; community partnerships; and supplementation of Community Services and Foundation programs, which provide for the health and wellness of community members. The hospital has been named a Five-Star Recipient for its treatment of pneumonia, sepsis, pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure and heart failure. That recognition came from HealthGrades, an independent health care ratings organization. HealthGrades also has given the medical center an Outstanding Patient Experience Award two years in a row, and CGH has won several noteworthy critical care honors, including being among the nation’s top 100 hospitals and the
When compared to today’s CGH Medical Center, the modest Sterling Public Hospital, seen here at the corner of Locust and LeFevre streets in an early 1900s postcard, pales in comparison to today’s sprawling medical complex.
state’s top five hospitals for critical care. The hospital also won a Critical Care Excellence Award for 2013. “CGH Medical Center is honored to provide ... the very best care,” Dr. Paul Steinke, the medical cen-
ter’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are proud of these achievements and believe it is a direct result of our physicians’, nurses’ and staffs’ dedication to outstanding care.”
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Shaw’s Marketplace in Prophetstown still a family operation By PAM EGGEMEIER Special to Buy Local
PROPHETSTOWN – Mr. G’s grocery, a staple in the downtown, reopened in late April under new ownership and with a different name. Reg and Janet Gage, owners for 32 years, sold the store at 214 Washington St. to friend Bob Hatheway, owner of Shaw’s Marketplace in Mount Carroll, so they could retire to Chicago’s south suburban area to spend time with their children and grandchildren. The Gages came to Prophetstown in 1979, to run the store then known as Scott’s Grocery. It was owned by former Mayor Marvin Scott. “Marvin wanted to retire, and so I came here to run it with an agreement that I could buy it within 5 years,” Reg said. “I ended up getting it a year early, in October 1983.” The Gages immersed themselves in the community, and provided jobs for 15 to 20 high school kids each year. Reg was a high school baseball and basketball coach for many years, so he was in tune with their need for flexible work schedules. Three of his sons are also coaches. “We’ve considered the
people in this community family,” Reg said. “I’ve coached so many of the kids, and many of them also worked here. Some of their kids are even working for me now.” All six of the Gage’s sons worked at the store, which made it easy for Dad and Mom to keep tabs on them. “When they weren’t in sports and other extracurricular activities, they were helping me at the store,” Reg said. “All of us jumped in with both feet.” The Hatheways also bring a strong family presence to the new Shaw’s Marketplace. “My son Ryan works full time in Mount Carroll, and my daughter is in college now, but she will be an integral part of the business,” Bob said. Bob started working at the Mount Carroll store when he was 15, for the man who would one day become his father-inlaw. The Hatheways moved to Georgia, where Bob worked for Food Lion grocery chain for 10 years. They returned to Illinois in 2001, and Bob bought the Mount Carroll store in 2007. Bob said Prophetstown seemed like a good fit because of the similarities
to Mount Carroll. “The towns and the stores are about the same size,” Bob said. “We’re not too familiar with the town, but we’ve been coming here quite a bit the last month, just attending church and getting to know people.” Bob said it’s too soon to tell what types of changes might be made to the store. He did say he plans to keep the staff at the same size, and it’s likely his son will eventually run the store here.
ABOVE: Reg Gage (center) speaks with customers Barbara Thicksten (left), and Kendall and Pam Plautz at his April retirement party at Mr. G’s Grocery Store in Prophetstown. RIGHT: Janet and Reg Gage ran Mr. G’s for 32 years.
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
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Sauk Valley Media • 7
Buy Local: Morrison & Fulton
Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com The Garden Center at Windsor Manor offers memory care Windsor Manor in Morrison offers apartments for asA gazebo sits in the center of the courtyard at Windsor therapy with puzzles, and a kitchen for residents. sisted living. Manor in Morrison.
Genteel manor life Windsor Manor assisted living offers a scenic setting for its residents By Lonnie C. Miller Special to Buy Local
MORRISON – It’s fitting that Windsor Manor is on Scenic Street, because that’s just what the assisted-living home is. Windsor Manor is a beautiful facility tucked into a well-maintained, quiet neighborhood just north of U.S. Route 30. The Prairie-style building, built in 2014, surrounds a spacious, landscaped courtyard and gazebo, both of which can be used for entertaining residents’ family and friends.
It’s a perfect assistedliving option for couples or singles 55 and older who are ready to let someone else worry about home maintenance and yard work. Cooking, housekeeping, utilities and basic cable are included. It also offers exercise equipment, customized nursing care, 24-hour on-site staff, purposeful and recreational activities, a library, a chapel, a sunroom and a common living room with a fireplace. It also has a state-of-the-art therapy room with a walk-in tub designed for comfort and ease of use. One could utilize any or all of the other on-site amenities, too, including Youthful U beauty par-
lor, with beautician Jill Beswick, and Windsor Barber, with barber Eric Engaldo. Windsor Manor is divided into two carebased areas. There are 30 units in the Assisted Living area and 10 units in secured Memory Care. Both areas have one- and two-bedroom apartment options. Restaurant-style dining is available for residents and guests. Guests are welcome to dine with residents for a small fee. Breakfast costs $3, and lunch or supper costs $5. Dining manager Dawn Ottens offers meals to the general public, too. The Scenic Café serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., a lunch special from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,
and a supper special from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dawn keeps the sunny dining rooms looking like those in a nice restaurant, with menus, linen tablecloths and flowers on each table. Angie Strobbe, activities manager, offers homelike activities to residents, such as laundry and baking, as well as entertainment options such as puzzles, games, or arts and crafts activities. H.R. Green built the facility in Morrison because of the need for quality assisted-living apartments, and loving and compassionate memory care. The company owns similar facilities in other communities.
“Windsor Manor is a real gem in the community,” said Stephanie Neas, director of nursing. “I invite people to come and check us out, I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised at the programs and living spaces we offer.” Windsor Manor, 403
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Upscale items, hometown prices Sweet Woodruff offers sweet boutique experience By Lonnie C. Miller Special to Buy Local
FULTON – Wendy Ottens opened Sweet Woodruff Ltd. as a ladies’ boutique 9 years ago in a nearly 125-year old building that has been restored to show off its tin ceilings and arched doorways. Crisp black awnings
outside and fresh, everchanging inventory inside are kept in immaculate condition, clean and artistically arranged to rival any big-city gift boutique. Ottens’ background is in interior design. She graduated from Sheffield School of Design and has nearly 20 years’ experience. Consultations for • FARM • VEHICLE • CROP
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Wendy Ottens, the owner of the Sweet Woodruff Gift Shop in Fulton. Her shop sells a variety of gifts, decorations, jewelry and artwork.
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com The Sweet Woodruff Gift Shop in Fulton sells a variety gifts and decorations.
home design also are available, by appointment. She loves offering upscale items at hometown prices. “You can buy gifts and home décor, purses and jewelry, and many other items in here for $20 to $25 every day, even though I see those same items in bigger cities for twice or three times as much.” Sweet Woodruff offers a wide variety of items, and Ottens makes regular buying trips to Chicago, Atlanta and Minneapolis, which allows her to change product lines and and introduce new artisans regularly. Sweet Woodruff also puts on a “secret sale” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of the
they’ve seen in other stores. Ottens invites her guests to browse and enjoy the beauty of her store. “I want everyone to feel like family when they come in here.”
month, and plans are in the works for a quarterly, give-back-to-the-community event. (Check out the store’s Facebook page for updates and all the details.) Ottens likes to keep the stock moving, and keep fresh, new items coming in regularly. Everything a gal could want – from stationery, cards, screen prints towels, serving pieces, lamps, lanterns, statuary, plaques, hats and purses, candles, pictures or frames, artisan items and trendy jewelry, to customized silk floral arrangements – is housed within the walls of this very special boutique. She also helps clients to find specialty items that she might have carried in the past or that
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
Buy Local: Rock Falls He’s trying to keep his business quiet By Kayla Heimerman Special to Buy Local
ROCK FALLS – Things are rockin’ and rollin’ at Rockin’ Slots, one of the newest video gambling facility in the Sauk Valley. Rockin’ Slots, 411 W. First St., opened in midJune. The 800-squarefoot space, which is housed in a 4,800-squarefoot building owner Brian Snow previously used as an auction house, offers five video gaming machines, each with as many as 15 games, including a variety of slot-style games, as well as poker, in a relaxed environment. “There are a lot of ‘gamers,’ so to speak, who don’t want to go to a big casino or a loud bar; they want to come to a quiet place,” said Snow, who also Snow’s Cabinetry & Millwork in Sterling. “They can relax. They are served very well. And they are paid attention to. … That means a lot to people.”
Rockin’ Slots is a Vegas-themed joint, with loud-patterned carpet underfoot and rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia on the walls. It has a full-service bar, with beer, wine, and liquor, but it does not have a kitchen. “Everybody who comes in calls it their new getaway, their hideout,” Snow said. The city allows a maximum of five gaming machines per liquor license, although Snow wishes the law allowed for more. “I would I could have 25 [machines]; they would be filled,” he said. “There are probably 5 or 6 hours every day when all give machines receive constant play. There is sometimes a brief ‘intermission,’ and then there is another wave of play.” Snow plans to expand and upgrade as his shoestring budget allows. An empty back room could become a kitchen, although most people are not coming for food,
he said. The gravel parking lot will be paved, and some of the green space will become a smoking area. Other parts of the building could become different themed gaming places – one an 1800s saloon with hardwood floors and a Western flair, another one a more slick, modern site. “I want to create a gaming mall,” Snow said. Snow strives to create a relaxed environment with good ol’ fashioned customer service. “They call me the cheerleader because I encourage ‘em, try to cheer ‘em on,” he said. “People will come in and say, ‘Where’s Brian?’ I try to give them that special attention, because without them, I don’t have a business.” Rockin’ Slots, at 411 W. First St. in Rock Falls, is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com Rockin Slots, 411 W. First St., in Rock Falls, offers five video gaming machines, each with as many as 15 games, including a variety of slot-style games, as well as poker, in a relaxed environment.
Rockin Slots owner Brian Snow sits at one of his five video gambling machines at his bar in Rock Falls. The venue offers patrons a comfortable and quiet environment to play the video gambling machines and to enjoy the bar.
Corn: It’s their cash crop By Kayla Heimerman Special to Buy Local
STERLING – What’s the secret to Woody’s caramel corn—the locally well-known popcorn that lines the windows of area concession stands and anchors the checkout lanes at some local grocery stores? Real ingredients: brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup. That’s it. Owners Michelle NeuPhilip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com bauer and Julie Scribner, Things are really popping for a Sterling business that makes cheese and caramel corn both of Milledgeville have not changed the recipe for the classic caramel corn since they acquired the popcorn business in 2011. What they have changed, though, is their product line. They’ve added cheddar cheese corn and a caramel-cheddar mix to the lineup, and as a result, they’ve grown the business. “It’s huge now,” Neubauer said. “It’s getting out there.” But before it was huge, Uncle Woody’s was a longtime small, homebased business in Chadwick. Larry Spaulding made and bagged caramel corn out of a garage The ladies of Woody’s Original Handmade Popcorn hand pack bags for sale in Ster- and schlepped all over the area, dropping boxes ling, and other, locations. of popcorn at high school
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concession stands, convenience stores, and grocery stores. The Spauldings wanted to sell the business, though, and approached Neubauer and Scribner, who also own Creative Cuisine catering. “They thought it would be a good fit for us because of our facility, and because we have the safety standards and foodhandling certificates,” Scribner said. “We thought it would help us during our slow times [in February, March, and April],” Neubauer added. Woody’s has grown exponentially, and the popcorn now is available at several grocery stores, including County Market in Sterling and Dixon, SaveA-Lot in Rock Falls, and Hy-Vee in Clinton, and most Shell stations in the Sauk Valley. The business employs two to three people, 40 hours a week. Neubauer and Scribner are the primary owners, but Lance Bryson and Melissa Wagenknecht, who handle the marketing and sales for the company, also have a share in the business. Woody’s recently got a
facelift: new heat-sealed bags with a streamlined, more modern look, including an updated logo (Bye-bye, cheesehead hat-wearing Uncle Woody! Hello, bowler hat-wearing Woody), as well as nutrition labels. “We’ve had some interest from national distributors, and they told us what they wanted [for our product and its packaging],” Scribner said. The caramel corn remains the best seller, although the caramelcheddar mix is quite popular, too. “The recipes make it what it is,” Scribner said. Just as the caramel corn is made with real ingredients, the cheddar cheese corn is real cheddar cheese—not a fingerstaining, orange, cheeseflavored powder. Woody’s popcorn is available in individual bags, but also in large 10-gallon bags for weddings and parties. Woody’s Popcorn is at 1741 Industrial Drive No. 24 in Sterling. Call 815626-7546, go to www. woodyspopcorn.com or find it on Facebook to learn more.
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Sauk Valley Media • 9
Buy Local: Polo In the mood for some Southern comfort? Polo restaurant serves it up By JERMAINE PIGEE Special to Buy Local
POLO – If you are in the mood for some southern-fried comfort food, look no further than The Dogwood Inn Restaurant. From the southern fried chicken, to the jumbo shrimp, to the biscuits and gravy, the cuisine at Dogwood Inn is all homemade. “This is a down-home kind of restaurant,” said owner Berniece Ratledge. The Tennessee native opened her establishment in 2008, and also cooks and waits tables. “I do everything,” she said. Her food is a product of her family and her upbringing. “We made everything from scratch
growing up,” said Ratledge, who has been cooking for about 45 years. “We cooked a lot at family get-togethers, and that is basically how I learned to cook. I didn’t attend any cooking classes.” Among her specialties are seasoned, hand-battered fried chicken and fall-off-the-bones barbecued ribs. There’s also a wide range of desserts, including a variety of pies, chocolate cheesecake, carrot cake, and peach cobbler. The dogwood is a flowering tree that grows in the south and “also represents Christ,” she said. The dogwood theme is carried from the restaurant’s interior to the landscaping, where she has planted many of the dogwood trees that sur-
round the property. The atmosphere inside is cozy, with large windows that drenched the booths and tables with plenty of natural light. There’s also space for banquets, parties and business meetings. The Dogwood Inn Restaurant, at 2452 N. state Route 26 in Polo, is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Lunch begins at 11 a.m., and breakfast is available all day, until the food is gone. There’s also a salad bar. Reservations are taken, but not necessary unless there is a large group, and no alcohol is served. Call 815-946-2499 or find it on Facebook.
Jermaine Pigee/jpigee@ saukvalley.com ABOVE: Seasoned, hand battered fried chicken, barbecued ribs, baked beans, coleslaw, and a dinner roll make for a popular meal at The Dogwood Inn Restaurant in Polo. RIGHT: The inside of the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere.
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
Buy Local: Sterling Educators of Beauty They’ll do you a ‘do
LaSalle. Before coming to Educators of Beauty, Clevenger spent 17 years as a divisional store manager at Salon Centric, one of the largest wholesale salon and beauty supply distributors in the United States. She oversaw 60 of its stores. In addition to training cosmetologists, the school provides hair and beauty services to the public, often at costs below salons. “This business has
By JERMAINE PIGEE Special to Buy Local
STERLING – Educators of Beauty is under new ownership. Dixon native Angie Clevenger, 47, bought the beauty school from Rhonda Reese on June 1. It’s Clevenger’s third school – she also owns Educators of Beauty schools in Rockford and
been here for 40 years, and it’s already a wellrun business,” said Clevenger, who lives in Dixon. “In this economy, our focus is to produce the best students that we can, so they can go out and make a living.” She is planning to tweak the curriculum. “I want to create more business-building skills for the students. They need to be able to build their business and run their business, and to do that, they need busi-
ness skills. We are going to focus on that, as well as producing good hairdressers, so they can be competitive and make the best living that they can.” Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology is at 211 E. Third St. in Sterling. Find it on Facebook, go to www.educatorsofbeauty.com or call 815625-0247 to make an appointment or for more information.
Angie Clevenger
Mall customers may soon be able to stop in to the Kopper Kitchen and have a meal and a drink. The staff is ready to pour a glass as soon as the restaurant gets its liquor license.
The salad bar that customers enjoyed at The Spot is back at the renamed Kopper Kitchen.
Kopper Kitchen offers mall shoppers a sit-down meal that hit the area June 22. "It took some time, because we gutted and redid everything in here, but it looks great," Mike said. Mike said the name change did speed up some of the paperwork, but the real impetus came from a very personal place. "My best friend had a restaurant in Elmhurst called the Kopper Kitchen in his family for 50 years. He decided to take a trip to Greece, and sadly, he passed away while there, so it is a tribute to him and a place that
By PAM EGGEMEIER Special to Buy Local
STERLING – A Northland Mall staple has reopened with a few notable changes – including its name. The only sit-down restaurant at the mall, formerly known as The Spot, has the same family ownership, but it was reopened last week as the Kopper Kitchen Restaurant. Owners Mike and Judy Dalipi recently finished renovations in the aftermath of water damage caused by a severe storm
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so many people there loved," Mike said. When it comes to area eateries, the Dalipi name has become a familiar one. Mike and Judy took over ownership of Kopper Kitchen from Mike's father, Benny, who opened the mall restaurant in 2006. Mike and Judy also also own The Corner Spot Bar & Grill in Dixon. Mike and brother, Dan, had also owned M&D's Sports Bar & Grill, which is now Johnny's Bar & Grill. Mike's cousin, Mili Dalipi, is a coowner of The Basil Tree
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com Waitresses Amanda VanWinkle (left), Gentiana Dalipi and Kylee Hasbrook and owner Judy Dalipi welcome you to try the new Kopper Kitchen at Northland Mall.
Ristorante in Dixon. Mike said there are several menu changes at Kopper Kitchen, including a variety of panini, omelette, and eggs Benedict offerings, but the biggest will be the addition of beer and wine. "We are still waiting on our liquor license, but we're ready to go with 10 beers on tap," Mike said. The new menu puts a premium on affordability, Mike said. "We'll still have all of the great breakfast selections, and the salad bar that people enjoyed, and we will have lots of se-
nior discounts, and better prices on everything." The Kopper Kitchen Restaurant, at Northland Mall, 2900 E. Lincolnway in Sterling, is open from 7 a.m. to 8
p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant also does catering; call 815632-3207 for more information.
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Saturday, February 27, 2016
Buy Local
Sauk Valley Media • 11
Buy Local: Sterling Going along at quite a clip The secret to Cynthia’s success? ‘I enjoy everything!’ By Shelby Kuepker Special to Buy Local
STERLING – With so many places in the Sterling/Rock Falls area available for getting that fresh cut, color, or perm, it can be difficult to decide which one will do the best job. For the customers at Cynthia’s Hair Studio, the choice is easy. Owner Cynthia Ries, 56, hung out the “open” sign 15 years ago, and just like the hair that’s become her livelihood, her business is still growing. She’s built up a regular clientele, and she recently added nails and tanning to her business. Today, she’s looking forward to the next 15 years of business – and beyond. Ries said she’s “always loved messin’ with hair”
and decided to attend beauty school right out of high school. After sharing her talents with salons such as the French Room and Cut and Curl, she knew she “really wanted to open up my own place.” Ries has been in the hair business for a while, and she’s seen a lot of different styles come, go, and transform right before her eyes. She reminisces about the fact that “hair changes all the time, but it’s funny how old styles keep getting modernized. The styles that were popular when I was a kid keep coming back”. She says she attributes her studio’s success to her wonderful customers. “The people have been really good to me,” she
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com From the tips of your toes to the top of your head, the staff at Cynthia’s Hair Studio – Cynthia Ries (left), April Tabor, Diep Hunter and Delia Frank – stands ready to serve your beauty needs.
said. She has many dedicated regulars, but she also loves to meet and get to know new clients, too. Walking into Cynthia’s Hair Studio, you will usually see Ries with her two other stylists, one of which is her sister. Ries recently added Nails By Diep, and tanning to her salon. Now, you can stop by her shop for a fresh cut, color, tan, and a manicure or pedicure. Customers can make an appointment, or walkins are welcomed. It’s been a fun decade
and a half for Cynthia, and she’s hard-pressed to pin down her favorite part of the profession. She said she loves the “the colors, the highlights, the lowlights, the perms, and the cuts.” “Oh gosh, I enjoy everything!” Cynthia’s Hair Studio, 18 E. Third St. in Sterling, is open from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Call 815-625-1810 to make an appointment.
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