Business
‘Ideas Over Beers’ event brews ingenuity
Dr. Birton Cowden, a Hecker native, surveyed the crowd Thursday night at Stubborn German Brewing in Waterloo, microphone in hand. Everyone from well-known business owners to budding entrepreneurs sat around…
Read MoreNew greenhouse a family affair
Growing up with a family of gardeners cultivated an early interest in planting and growing vegetables, fruits and plants for Kayla Keeney of Waterloo. “I’ve always loved growing things and…
Read MoreWicked Smoke brings Memphis BBQ to Waterloo
Waterloo’s newest restaurant was inspired by two former residents who desired to share their love of Memphis-style barbecue back home. Lance Kingston and Chrissy Sperduto opened Wicked Smoke Bar-B-Que at…
Read MoreMr. BBQ opens Waterloo location
Kiwan Guyton of Millstadt began whipping up barbecue for the public last year when he opened Mr. BBQ’s Rib Shack & Catering at 106 N. Main Street in Smithton. Now, Guyton,…
Read MoreStudent trip explores entrepreneurship
At the end of the school year, Monroe County CEO students had finished their small business projects and were feeling ready to take on the world. Then came an opportunity…
Read MoreAfter the fire, Hopskeller breathes new life
Seen as one of the more unstable of the elements, fire has its advantages and disadvantages. The flames that consumed Matt Schweizer’s prized business at 116 E. Third Street in…
Read MoreGrounded Greetings helps spread the word
Amy Strong wants to bring smiles into the community, and her new business appears to be accomplishing just that. Strong, 42, came up with the idea for yard greetings for…
Read MoreMCEDC hosts inaugural annual meeting
A brisk wind from the west greeted many of the approximately 100 attendees of the first annual meeting of the Monroe County Illinois Economic Development Corporation as they walked out…
Read MoreMCEDC hosts first annual meeting
An estimated 100 area leaders from businesses and government offices came together Thursday afternoon at 11 South in Columbia for the inaugural annual meeting of the Monroe County Economic Development…
Read MoreMouth-watering barbecue comes to Red Bud
With a background in competitive cooking, Donna and Terry Reinhardt whipped up a recipe for a successful barbecue joint called The Burnt End in Red Bud. The Reinhardts opened in…
Read MoreWhat’s new at 11 South?
While the towering 11 South medical complex atop Sand Bank Road in Columbia continues to draw the admiration of passersby, developments also continue to take shape inside its facilities. Developer…
Read MoreBootsie’s set to break ground in Waterloo
Plans for a new family style restaurant with a bakery and general store to be built off Route 3 at the northern end of Waterloo received a go-ahead from the…
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