Clinton County has five cities and 12 smaller villages – which makes our community very close-knit! This is the kind of place where almost everybody knows your name (to quote the theme song from an old TV show). During the current world crisis, our communities are pulling together and supporting each other.
In our largest city (completely contained within Clinton County), Breese (population 4,221), businesses are stepping up to care for their neighbors and each other. Here are a few examples of creative methods to serve the public during this time.
Main Street Pastures recently added more cold storage space – just in time to store more great farm-fresh meats and eggs. Call them to place an order and they will have it ready for pick-up
Silver Spoon Catering is offering family size meals that can be picked-up at their location. Order microwave-ready meals from their website and choose low card, keto, or gluten free options!
Breese, IL is also the home of several local pizza shops that are tossing the dough for great take-out options. Contact Sam’s Pizza or Little Augie’s Pizza & Pasta to place an order to pick-up a great pizza.
Covered in Chocolate Bistro and Catering continues to invent fun, foodie projects for the whole family! Check out their Cookie and Cupcake decorating kits that contain six cupcakes and four cookies, icings, and fun toppings. Order a kit early in the week and they will be ready for pick-up on Friday so that you can keep the whole family entertained over the weekend.
There are several national chain “fast food” restaurants offering drive thru service but the original “Drive-In” Burger Joint is Wally’s. They have been in business since 1951 and they are still serving you/all of us. They are offering carry out burgers, fries, and shakes from 11:00am to 7:30pm.
Another favorite restaurant of the “locals” is Dairy King. Check out their menu and try a DK Specialty “Concrete.” They are open for take-out and curbside food service from 10am to 7pm.
If you are reading this blog from outside of Illinois, or more than 50 miles outside of Clinton County, you may have never heard of Excel Bottling Company or SKI soda pop. The story behind this true “mom and pop” business starts back in 1936 when Edward “Lefty” Meier and Catherine Meier began the business after purchasing used bottling equipment. The vintage line still runs today, still using pure cane sugar in their recipes, under the eyes of the descendants of the Meiers. Excel is eco-friendly because they still use primarily returnable bottles! When you visit Clinton County this summer, you have to try a SKI or one of the other flavors of soda bottled the old fashioned way! Excel Bottling is open for curbside service during the COVID-19 crisis.
You may feel the need for a little exercise while your travel is limited. Four Yoga & Fitness will be “open” online! Download the Zoom app and download the Four Yoga and Fitness app and sign up for streaming exercise. You can do yoga in your own home. What a great way to try something new!
Start planning your summer visit to this wonderful small city in Southwestern Illinois. Look for our next blog when we introduce you to two other small cities in Clinton County. Learn about the special qualities, businesses, events, and activities in Carlyle and Centralia, IL.