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Sauk Valley

Business Journal • Mobile travel agent focuses on clients’ needs – Page 5 • A fun boutique to get your country on – Page 8 • New owners of beauty shop carry on tradition – Page 12

Vol. 19, No. 3

Sauk Valley Media

Fall 2016

SHOP COMBINES QUILTING SUPPLIES AND CHARITY ~ Page 10

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Sauk Valley Business Journal

Fall 2016

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Welcome ... to the Fall 2016 issue of Sauk Valley Business Journal Index of Stories Beach Gal Travel Services.................................. 5

The Gypsy’s Wanderlust.............................14-15

Hopper’s Poppers............................................... 7

Steam Anchor Coffee & Café........................... 16

Country Girl Boutique.....................................8-9

Bugaboo’s Day Care and Learning Center..... 18

Quilt Supplies 4 U........................................10-11

Triple P BBQ...................................................... 19

Beauty Hutch...............................................12-13 On the cover

Color, patterns and textures abound in the array of fabrics at Quilt Supplies 4 U. Story, Pages 10-11.

– Alex T. Paschal, Sauk Valley Business Journal

The staff of Sauk Valley Business Journal Publisher: Sam R Fisher Advertising Director: Jennifer Heintzelman

Advertising Sales: Jill Reyna Business Journal Editor: Jim Dunn

Want to stay informed?

Email Heather Tarbill at htarbill@saukvalley.com to start receiving your FREE subscription to Sauk Valley Business Journal.

Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media of Dixon and Sterling-Rock Falls.

No portion of Sauk Valley Business Journal may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this publication.

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Health

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Sauk Valley Business Journal

Fall 2016

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Sauk Valley Business Journal

Fall 2016

Page 5

BUSINESS PROFILE | ROCK FALLS

Mobile travel agent drops anchor Beach Gal Travel Services focuses on clients’ needs

BY DANA FRANCIS For Sauk Valley Business Journal

ROCK FALLS – At the new office of Beach Gal Travel Services, visible from the street, hangs a portrait of paradise: a palm tree standing in relief against a tropical background.

Inside its walls, Tedi Ridle works amid a similarly calm environment. Although customers won’t get sand between their toes when they walk through the door, they’ll be greeted with a space that has something in common with the tropics: a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere.

Ridle, who has been in the travel agency business for

Alex T. Paschal/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Tedi Ridle, travel designer and concierge for Beach Gal Travel Services, began her business as a mobile travel service about a year ago. While she can still be on the move for her clients, most of the time her customers will find her at her new office at 301 First Ave. in Rock Falls. several years, began Beach Gal as a mobile travel service about a year ago. She moved

into her new office at 301 First Ave. in June, and business has been booming.

Its name? Well, Beach Gal Travel Services provides travel service to anywhere, but as her friends pointed out, the beach is what Ridle loves best.

She’s a beach gal.

“This is my passion,” she said, noting that she loves to provide “that true concierge service to our clients.”

With so many of today’s travelers turning to online booking, Beach Gal still offers something essential: a personal connection with its clients.

Ridle is a romance travel specialist – destination weddings and honeymoons – but her range of trip planning runs the gamut, from girlfriends’ getaways to anniversaries to multigenerational family travel.

She’s still mobile: For those unable to make it to her office, Ridle offers “house calls” to their regional businesses or homes.

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Fall 2016

UNITY HOSPICE’S PAWS FOR PATIENTS PROGRAM OFFERS COMFORT TO HOSPICE PATIENTS Submitted by Unity Hospice

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The companionship and connection between animals and humans creates a powerful bond; one that differs from the bond between humans and other humans. This special bond between animals and humans has been proven to encourage emotional well-being, improve relaxation and reduce anxiety and depression. The presence of animals often brings peace and joy to patients whose life once included pets in their home.

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Fall 2016

Page 7

BUSINESS PROFILE | OREGON

Candy, popcorn shop on horizon

BY CHRIS JOHNSON Sauk Valley Business Journal

OREGON – A new business is about to pop up downtown.

Ryan and Stephanie Hopper are renovating the building at 104 N. Fourth St. for Hopper’s Poppers.

“Our main focus will be popcorn, candy, fudge, and bulk candy,” Ryan Hopper said. “We will see how everything goes with the products and make adjustments to the inventory.”

They plan to open at the end of September, in time for Autumn on Parade, Oct. 1 and 2.

Hopper’s Poppers Reel Theater Popcorn already has been available at the family’s movie theater – Sycamore Theater, owned by Ryan’s parents, Kenley and Daryl Hopper, since 2000 – and at farmers

markets. They also cater weddings and other events.

It’s cooked in coconut oil and coated with a variety of flavors, including cheddar bacon, movie butter, caramel, cake and chocolate.

Ryan, Stephanie and their children, Charlotte, 5, and Logan, 2, moved to Oregon in the fall, because they like a rural lifestyle and wanted to open their business in “a community that is growing,” he said.

“We are also examining the possibility of opening a movie theater in Oregon,” he said.

The shop is next door to a now-defunct movie theater.

You can follow the Hoppers’ progress by searching for Hopper’s Poppers on Facebook. Just can’t wait to try their popcorn? Call the Sycamore Theater at 815-8952301.

Chris Johnson/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Stephanie and Ryan Hoppe, shown here with their children, Charlotte, 5, and Logan, 2, purchased a building on North Fourth Street in Oregon and are planning to open a popcorn and candy shop.

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Fall 2016

BUSINESS PROFILE | MOUNT CARROLL

A fun place to get your country on Country Girl Boutique has clothes, boots, furniture, more

Fun and funky Country Girl Boutique, 902 S. Jackson St./state Route 64, in Mount Carroll, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday.

Call 815-244-2242 or find CGB on Facebook for more information.

BY SHELBY KUEPKER For Sauk Valley Business Journal

MOUNT CARROLL – Country Girl Boutique has been a fun and funky provider of country bling since it opened in October 2012.

Owner Shelly Tautz, 47, of Mount Carroll, has years of retail experience, and her shop, commonly called CGB, combines her passion for fashion with her love of the country lifestyle.

She opened on the outskirts of Mount Carroll, but in May 2013, at the suggestion of one of her regulars,

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Alex T. Paschal/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Country Girl Boutique owner Shelly Tautz stands with some of the merchandise in her Mount Carroll store, which is also known simply by its initials, CGB. she upgraded to her location at 902 S. Jackson St., a spot along state Route 64 that she calls “phenomenal.”

She offers a wide range of country fashion: women’s and men’s clothing, boots, and accessories, along with hand-crafted country furni-

ture and other western-style home decor.

“There’s a little bit of everything in this little store,” Tautz said.

Don’t let the fact that the shop is locally owned fool you; CGB carries big names such as Wrangler, Justin Boots, Miss ME, Cinch, Noble Outfitter, and more.

BOUTIQUE continued on 94

Sauk Valley Business Journal

Fall 2016

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Inventory changes rapidly ‘to keep it fun’ BOUTIQUE

CONTINUED FROM 8 t

The inventory changes rapidly, “to keep it fun,” Tautz said.

One thing that will never change, though, is the homey, laid-back atmosphere. Tautz wants her customers to have a comfortable place to shop, and know they have a friend sitting behind the counter.

Tautz also is passionate about customer service – when she shops, she is annoyed by lackadaisical sales associates – and promises that in her store, shoppers will have “a fun shopping experience.”

When she’s not in the shop, Tautz usually can be found playing with her animals on her farm outside Mount Carroll. She has horses, potbellied pigs, dogs

Alex T. Paschal/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Country Girl Boutique, also known as CGB, is open 7 days a week at its Mount Carroll location at 902 S. Jackson St. and a cat. If it was up to her, she’d even have goats and

cattle, too. Dogs Luna and Daisy often can be found

lounging around the shop as well.

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Fall 2016

COVER STORY | QUILT SUPPLIES 4 U, ROCK FALLS

Quilting, charity go hand in hand Quaint quilt shop also home to charitable sewing circle

Visit the shop Quilt Supplies 4 U, 620 E. Rock Falls Road/U.S. Route 30 in Rock Falls, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Call 815-622-9413 for more information.

BY LONNIE C. MILLER For Sauk Valley Business Journal

ROCK FALLS – Linda Bushman, owner of Quilt Supplies 4 U, sells all kinds of quilt supplies – fabric and notions, batting and thread, patterns and books.

She’s happy to help select fabric, talk patterns, place special orders, give advice.

For example, quilts should be stored carefully, in nonacidic paper or a clean pillowcase.

“Be sure to take them out every now and then to allow

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Linda Bushman, owner of Quilt Supplies 4 U, displays a quilt that will be donated to the pediatric unit at CGH Medical Center. Linda and others meet weekly to make items that are then donated to different causes. them to air, and then re-fold them using new fold patterns so the fabrics don’t get damaged by using the same folds

over and over,” she said.

That’s the business end of her passion.

But she and her circle of

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friends also spend hours quilting and sewing for charity. That’s what she puts her heart into.

Bushman’s love of quilting began as a youngster at her grandma’s knee. She watched with rapt attention, and later learned to make her own creations as her grandmother pieced together warm and beautiful quilts for family and friends. She’s now the proud owner of 15 of those quilts.

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Page 11

Started business online, then opened shop QUILTING

CONTINUED FROM 10 t

She started the business online with a friend, Sally Dolin, and about 7 years later they opened a shop. When life changes took Dolin away from the business, Bushman moved to her current location. She’s also a member of the Dixon Quilt Club and often shows up as a vendor at its events.

And every Tuesday, friends gather at her shop to sew for the less fortunate.

Mary Ann Runnion, Anna Filippi, Marge Koelher, and Gloria Perino, fellow members of St. Andrew Catholic Church’s Altar and Rosary Society, have pieced together 600 cosmetic/personal care bags for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.

They’ve made more than 300 dresses and 100 pairs of boys

Alex T. Paschal/Sauk Valley Business Journal

The inventory of fabrics offered by Quilt Supplies 4 U in Rock Falls includes these autumn- and Halloween-inspired colors, patterns and textures. shorts for an African charity.

This year, they’re working

on a stack of dresses to send to an Indian reservation in

Arizona, where little girls get one new dress a year as part of a program called “One Dress at a Time.”

Other projects they’ve taken on include making 16 quilts for hospice, 40 quilts for firefighters to give away, 10 quilts for Gianna’s House for pregnant women and girls, and 40 dog beds for Happy Tails Animal Shelter.

“Every scrap from other projects gets saved, then turned into something helpful and useful,” Bushman said. “We don’t throw anything away.”

The women also accept donations of new toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, washcloths, deodorant, shampoo and combs to fill the care bags; as well as money to help fund the projects.

Donations can be dropped off at the shop or at St. Andrew’s church.

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Fall 2016

BUSINESS PROFILE | MORRISON

Beauty shop legacy gets extension New owners of Beauty Hutch continue tradition

BY RACHEL RODGERS Sauk Valley Business Journal

MORRISON – When Kathy Polson and Rachel Wiersema pick up a pair of hair clippers, they continue a legacy spanning 6 decades.

The two became the new owners of Beauty Hutch beauty shop, 119 W. Main St. in Morrison, in June, taking over from Mary Buckwalter, who ran the shop for 39 years.

Becoming business owners is a new adventure for the two, but they are more than familiar with the salon and its clientele.

Philip Marruffo/Sauk Valley Business Journal

BEAUTY HUTCH continued on 134

Rachel Wiersema (left) and Kathy Polson are the new owners of Beauty Hutch in Morrison.

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‘That’s what we love about it all – the people’ BEAUTY HUTCH CONTINUED FROM 12 t

Polson, who grew up in Morrison and has lived in Sterling for the past 13 years, has worked at the beauty shop for 28 years.

Wiersema, of Fulton, has worked at the salon for the past decade.

“We’re like two peas in a pod,” Wiersema said. “We get along so well, and we’ve had some really great times in here.”

Buckwalter will remain a fixture at Beauty Hutch, working 2 days a week.

Altogether, the trio boasts more than 80 years of combined beautician experience.

Polson said they strive to promote a family atmosphere in a clean and inviting shop.

“There’s a lot to be said about a small town,” she said.

“It’s a small community, but

Philip Marruffo/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Kathy Polson cuts Allen Harksen’s hair at Beauty Hutch in Morrison. Polson, along with Rachel Wiersema, bought the 60-year-old salon in June. there’s so much community support here.”

Because of the care that Buckwalter put into the shop, Wiersema said, they haven’t needed to do much in remodeling the century-old build-

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ing, but they are planning to expand Beauty Hutch’s offerings.

They are looking to hire an additional hair stylist as well as a nail technician and massage therapist.

The upstairs no longer houses tanning beds, but the duo said they plan to offer spray tanning.

Wiersema said the beauty trade allows them to really get to know community members, and some people just like to stop in, have a cup of coffee and chat.

“That’s what we love about it all – the people,” she said.

Wiersema said the shop’s longtime roots in the community are what makes it unique, and the staff hopes to keep the tradition alive for at least the next 20 years.

“It’s hard to find a business that has been open for 60 years these days,” she said.

“Hopefully we can make it to 80.”

Beauty Hutch is possibly the oldest business of its kind in Morrison, Polson said.

“I can’t think of an older beauty shop in town,” she said.

Sauk Valley Business Journal

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Fall 2016

BUSINESS PROFILE | CLINTON, IOWA

Trendy boutique does owner proud The Gypsy’s Wanderlust has eclectic offerings

Wander on in The Gypsy’s Wanderlust is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 818 N. Second St. in Clinton, Iowa.

Find it on Facebook and Instagram, call 563-2198858 or email owner Amie Ramirez, 30, at amesramirez@gmail.com for more information.

BY LONNIE C. MILLER For Sauk Valley Business Journal

CLINTON, Iowa – When it comes to boho chic, The Gypsy’s Wanderlust Boutique is totally on trend.

Owner Amie Ramirez, 30, a Clinton native, opened the shop in November 2014 on North Second Street, in a twostory home next to Jimmy John’s.

She lives above, while below she’s put together an inventory of eclectic, interesting, and beautiful clothing, purses, jewelry and gifts.

“I decided to start my boutique back when I was a kid,” Amie said. “I loved

Michael Krabbenhoeft/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Amie Ramirez, owner of The Gypsy’s Wanderlust Boutique in Clinton, says the most important thing is, “I want each and every customer to leave feeling very excited to come back.” going to little boutiques and shops. When I moved back to Clinton in 2014, I decided that it was time to go for my dream job and open up my

very own boutique.”

She majored in visual merchandising and minored in entrepreneurial studies at Iowa State University in

Ames, then managed several retail stores before opening The Gypsy’s Wanderlust.

“If I didn’t have my boutique, I would still be working in retail, probably doing visual merchandising with a retail store like Anthropology or Urban Outfitters,” she said.

BOUTIQUE continued on 154

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Clothing, gifts about ‘expressing yourself’ BOUTIQUE

CONTINUED FROM 14 t

Hers is a “free-spirited, bohemian and inspirational boutique,” with clothing that’s on trend with what’s going on in the East and West coasts, she said. “From the clothing to the gifts, everything in the store is all about expressing yourself for who you are as an individual.”

Amie prides herself on nurturing that individuality.

“We get one size run [two each of small, medium, and large] of all our clothing. By doing this, our customers don’t have to worry about many people walking around in an outfit just like theirs.

“We also carry inspirational and one-of-a kind gifts, which are mostly made in America. “ Those include travel mugs, wall decor, vases, handmade

Michael Krabbenhoeft/Sauk Valley Business Journal

The Gypsy’s Wanderlust Boutique in Clinton, Iowa, has been selling handmade jewelry, lamp shades, dream catchers and other gypsy-themed and -styled pieces since 2014. lampshades and dream catchers, among other things.

In addition to the shop, Amie also does vendor shows and donates to benefits.

“A big part of why I decided to open my store in Clinton

was so I could give back to my community,” she said.

Her business philosophy?

“The most important thing I want my existing and future customers to know is that we are very much a unique bou-

tique that doesn’t care about how much is spent, but about how the customers’ experience was.

“I want each and every customer to leave feeling very excited to come back.”

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Sauk Valley Business Journal

Fall 2016

BUSINESS PROFILE | FULTON

Café building up a head of steam Steam Anchor Coffee and Café for beverages and sandwiches

BY LONNIE C. MILLER For Sauk Valley Business Journal

FULTON – There’s a new place to dock for coffee and a bite.

Steam Anchor Coffee & Café opened at the intersection of highways 84 and 136, behind the AmericInn Hotel and Suites, next to the Shell station.

When owners Benjamin and Paige Wilbur decided to set sail on their business venture, they decided to do it in familiar waters: Paige, 23, grew up in Clinton, Iowa, and Ben, 27, in Fulton.

Steam Anchor serves specialty coffee and drinks, fresh fruit smoothies, Artisan-style sandwiches, hearty homemade soups, fresh salads, ice cream, pastries, and more.

They’re gaining in popularity daily.

“We brought ice cream back to Fulton, so that seems to be getting more attention [during] the summer months,” Ben said.

“I would say that many people know us for our quality in our food and specialty coffee drinks and also our delicious fresh fruit smoothies,” Paige said. “Ultimately, I would say we are known for our customer service, though.

“We try our hardest to make you feel like you are the most important, because to us you are!”

Steam Anchor also has free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, callahead service and a drivethrough. The Wilburs do small-event catering, too – soup, sandwiches, chips and baked goods for meetings, retreats, parties, and more.

Large orders are fine, they just don’t deliver at the moment.

Alex T. Paschal/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Husband-and-wife team Paige and Benjamin Wilbur serve specialty coffee and drinks, fresh fruit smoothies, artisan-style sandwiches, homemade soups, fresh salads, ice cream, pastries, and more at Steam Anchor Coffee & Café.

A half-sandwich with soup and a drink costs less than $8, and a specialty drink is featured daily. You can find their menu on the cafe’s Facebook page.

“We are always growing and changing to meet the needs and wants of our customers,” Paige said.

They opened the business to satisfy a need of their own – well, two, actually.

“While I was attending school at Clinton Community College I kept wanting a comfortable place to study that had free Wi-Fi,” Ben said.

“As I started my bachelor’s of business administration program through Oral Roberts University, that need only strengthened.

“For my senior project, I was supposed to do a mock business start-up, but instead I actually ran the numbers to start a coffee/café in Clinton, Iowa, which [I hoped] to start after I graduated. However, the numbers didn’t pan out and we let the idea go.”

Then Ben got a call from

Scott Schaefer with the Quad Cities Prayer Center in Davenport, Iowa, asking if the center could use Ben’s business model. The result was Connect Coffee House in Northpark Mall.

“That was the best and most influential decision we made,” Ben said. “That experience and the connections we made during those 3 years at QCPC have helped us immensely to shape and start our own coffee house.

“When the opportunity to

start one back in our hometown arose, we jumped. Both Paige and I have a heart for people and this community, we wanted to be part of it again.”

“We would love for people to come check us out,” Paige added.

“Spend some time with us, use the free Wi-Fi and enjoy the atmosphere while being surrounded by people who treat you like family and hospitality unmatched anywhere else.”

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Sauk Valley Business Journal

Fall 2016

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Page 18

Sauk Valley Business Journal

Fall 2016

BUSINESS PROFILE | AMBOY

Flexible, fun day care center opens

BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN Sauk Valley Business Journal

AMBOY – There’s a new (sort of) day care in town, and if you’re curious about how homey it is, you should see the way the clients treat the owner.

As Bugaboo’s Day Care and Learning Center owner Dani Fisher walks from room to room, children take quick breaks from their activities to cling to her. When she enters the Wobblers’ (toddlers’) room, it evokes memories of the beloved TV comedy, “Cheers.” Only rather than yelling, “Norm!”, the kiddos shout “Dani!” when they see her.

Fisher, 35, always knew she wanted to be a mom, but she’d never dreamed of running a day care until she had two kids of her own – Braelyn, 4, and Arya, 2.

“I literally sort of fell into this,” she said.

She ran a day care service out of her home for 3 years before buying the former home of an Amboy fixture, the late veterinarian “Doc” Louis Ohlendorf, back in December. She and her handy husband, Sean, jumped through all the hoops to rezone it for commercial use, and it opened for business in April.

The center offers something rare – drop-in care. In fact, if and when she feels ready, Fisher said she wouldn’t rule out franchising an exclusively drop-in care center in a bigger setting – think Dixon or Sterling.

“It’s needed,” she said. “I try to focus on what the community needs, and then figure out a way to fill that need.”

That’s why she’s considering adding second-shift care this fall, too.

She’s got 27 clients right now, but is always accepting new ones, and has on average 20 children on an everyday basis.

In addition to offering busy parents flexible child care,

Michael Krabbenhoeft/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Dani Fisher (left), 35, owner of Bugaboo’s Day Care and Learning Center in Amboy, gives Cam Florschuetz, 3, a high five at the learning center.

To register Bugaboo’s Learning Center, 33 E. Provost St., Amboy, has spaces available for new clients, and also offers drop-in day care.

Rates are comparable to home day care, owner Dani Fisher said. She encourages prospective clients to visit the site and learn more about rates, as well as potential family discounts and income consideration.

Call the center at 815-6770849, visit bugabooslearningcenter.com or find it on Facebook for more information. two things are paramount to her: that she takes excellent care of her employees, and that they, in turn, provide highly enriching, play-based learning.

She starts her employees at $12 an hour, whereas some centers pay less than $10, she

said. She gives them paid holidays, sick days, vacation time and discounts on their child care.

“I wanted really good staff and people who were going to stay,” Fisher said. “Being as small as I am, health insurance and benefits like that are harder for me to offer. I wanted to make it that the staff that I got, I kept.”

Her top teacher, Adrienne Haye, 25, said one of her favorite perks is being able to spend her day with her son, Cooper, who recently turned 2 and on this day dashed into Mom’s arms in the Wobblers’ room.

If she and Cooper can’t make it in, for whatever reason, it’s comforting having a boss who understands.

“She’s very caring, and very open to if something goes on,” Haye said. “If Cooper gets sick at 6 in the morning and no one is home to watch him and I can’t come in, she understands.”

Fisher began with one employee in her Amboy home and now has six. She gushes over her assistant director, Jenna Johnson.

“Honestly, without her, this place would not have opened on time,” she said. “She’s amazing.”

Johnson’s kid sister, Julia, 18, is a classroom assistant, and has two children of her own. She’s one of two employees who’s had a child since the center opened, another example of Fisher’s open-minded hiring mentality.

“You can’t really discriminate against it, but at the same time, I would want somebody to hire me when I was pregnant, when I need to work for my kids,” she said.

Bugaboo’s takes children from 6 weeks to 12 years, and they’re separated into four rooms: the Wigglers (infants), Wobblers, Leapers (pre-K), and Smart Guys and Gals (school-age kids).

Sauk Valley Business Journal

Fall 2016

Page 19

BUSINESS PROFILE | DIXON

Triple P BBQ sells meals on wheels

BY RACHEL RODGERS Sauk Valley Business Journal

DIXON – How does a pulled pork sundae sound?

If it sounds like music to your tastebuds, then there’s a parking lot in Dixon where you can get one – just don’t expect any ice cream in it.

The dish with the attentiongrabbing name – it’s a mix of pulled pork, beans and cole slaw in a cup – is just one of the menu items that Shane Porter and his wife, Kayla, are serving up from their food trailer, Triple P BBQ. The couple’s barbecue business started in their backyard with a smoker and a desire to hone the slow-cooking craft.

This summer, the trailer found a home in a parking lot on West Boyd Street behind Wendy’s, where it pulled in to beckon customers with large flags and

More info Triple P BBQ, located on West Boyd Street behind Wendy’s in Dixon, is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday. The food truck will be open through the end of October and reopen in April.

Michael Krabbenhoeft/Sauk Valley Business Journal

Emma Porter (front), 5, and (from left) Shane and Kayla Porter, and Becca and Benny Iler, are the people behind the wheel at Triple P BBQ in Dixon. barbecued taste treats.

The Polo couple began catering for events last year, including birthday and graduation parties as well as weddings,

and “it all just snowballed from there,” said Shane, a truck driver for Raynor Garage Doors.

The couple bought the trailer in June and plan to operate it

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seasonally from April to October, in addition to catering. The truck is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Porter said their top-seller has been pulled pork and beef brisket nachos, and they also offer chicken, salads and sides including beans, coleslaw and chips.

“The dominoes, they just keep coming into place,” he said. “We’re very pleased with where we’re at.”

Page 20

Sauk Valley Business Journal

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Fall 2016