OK, good readers, I have a lot of new business updates and tidbits for you this week.
A new restaurant will soon open at the former Agostino’s Restaurant & Bar at 130 Ludwig Drive in Fairview Heights.
I spoke briefly with Royal Palm Mediterranean Cuisine owner Bahjat Hamdallah, who said they’re currently working on getting the place ready for business. And yes, that includes painting the building exterior.
Hamdallah’s family, originally from Palestine, operates restaurants in the Chicago area. The new restaurant is their first in the metro-east and will offer Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/Lebanese fare that will include grilled meats like lamb and chicken, kebabs and other savory dishes.
They are shooting for a mid- or late-May opening.
Jack Henry’s was previously set to open at the location in September, but plans for the restaurant fell through. Dawn Goodwin-Malone told the BND in November that her plans for Jack Henry’s were placed on the back burner as she worked to open another restaurant in Rome, Iowa.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, 104 Carlyle Plaza Drive, Belleville
Ollie’s opening date set for Belleville store
Since learning in December that Ollie’s Bargain Outlet would open a store in Belleville, I’ve been keeping tabs on when opening day will be.
The new store (finally!) opens Wednesday, May 7, and the doors open at 9 a.m.
If you’re unfamiliar with Ollie’s, the national retail chain offers overstock and closeout items at discounted prices. Available goods include household décor, furnishings, kitchen supplies and cleaning products, toys, games, books(!), pet supplies, food, hardware, and much more.
Ollie’s is located at 104 Carlyle Plaza Drive in Belleville, next to O’Reilly Auto Parts. Another area Ollie’s store is located at 3521 Nameoki Road in Granite City.
For more info about Ollie’s, check out the website at ollies.com.
Collinsville sports bar
Coming to Collinsville’s Main Street is Heritage Sports Bar & Grill.
Owners Devon Whitsell and Maxwell Tracy are close to opening their new place at 118 E. Main St., previously occupied by The Lucky Fox, which closed in December, and Who Dat’s before that.
Based on the new bar and grill’s Facebook page, the wood flooring was freshened up, and new exterior signage and window decals were recently installed. Info on the door shows hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday.
I’m working to set up an interview with Whitsell and Tracy to learn more about the menu, setting and vibe. I’ll keep you posted.
Old Herald Brewery & Distillery at 115 E. Clay St. in Collinsville
Tony’s Tacos at Old Herald
The kitchen at Old Herald Brewery & Distillery is joining forces with Belleville-based Tony’s Tacos for Cinco de Mayo festivities.
Starting at 11 a.m. Friday, May 2, Tony’s Tacos takes over at Old Herald to provide folks with “authentic Mexican food, tasty beverages and a vibrant atmosphere” that will include Mexican bands, DJs and the “best tacos around,” according to the Facebook event page.
Both Old Herald and Tony’s Tacos are participants of Soulcial Kitchen’s Currency of Caring program, which provides free hot meals throughout the community.
The takeover at Old Herald is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 2-5. Old Herald Brewery & Distillery is located at 115 E. Clay St., Collinsville.
Tony’s Tacos is located at 1550 IL-15, Suite B, Belleville. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
For more info, check out the Old Herald or Tony’s Tacos Facebook pages.
Openings for the season
Now open for the season is Hostas on the Bluff.
Offering many varieties of hostas as well as other plants for purchase, Hostas on the Bluff also provides an idyllic garden setting overlooking the St. Louis skyline. Owners Erica and Brian Kniffin’s home business features more than 20,000 hostas in 500+ varieties on the property for guests to admire and enjoy.
Hostas on the Bluff is located at 1601 Pleasantview Drive in Fairview Heights. Hours are by appointment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
For more info or to schedule an appointment, call 618-680-0288 or visit hostasonthebluff.com.
Hostas on the Bluff sells multiple varieties of potted plants, including hostas and companion plants.
If you have a healthy sweet tooth, it may interest you to know that Mr. E’s Donut & Custard Shop opens for the season Thursday, May 1, at Eckert’s Belleville Farm.
The shop will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to social media posts and email notices from Eckert’s.
Eckert’s is located at 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville. For more info, visit eckerts.com or call 618-233-0513.