A look at the small business storefronts in downtown O’Fallon BND Illustration

More retail stores continue to move into the heart of O’Fallon as the city moves forward with plans to build a downtown plaza later this year.

In the last five years, one nonprofit and at least 15 small businesses have moved into the downtown corridor — and they plan to stay put.

Peonies and Milk, a vintage furniture boutique and paint store, recently opened next door to Sweet Katie Bee’s, the popular downtown cupcake and coffee bar.

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“It’s about collaboration not competition,” Peonies and Milk owner Kelly Wegmann said over coffee and cupcakes with a friend at her shop on 218 E. State St.

What’s next for downtown? The renaissance will soon bring Parent Teacher Tools and Toys to the area. After closing its Fairview Heights storefront last year and later finding new ownership, the shop plans to move into a downtown storefront later this year.

Their move is the latest in a string of openings in the area where business owners continue to move in. In case you missed an opening, here’s a list of some of the most popular businesses to move into the area in the last five years:

Depot Bar & Grill

This downtown watering hole opened last spring at 126 E. State St. Wings, burgers, pizza, wraps, beer and cocktails are on the menu at this new a destination for billiards, darts and electronic gaming.

Fezziwig’s

When Tim Moore and Ellen Leaf-Moore decided to move Fezziwig’s Marketplace from Lebanon, they had two requirements: more space and another historic downtown location.

The tea, gourmet foods, wine and decor accessory store found both when it relocated to 225 W. 1st St. in 2015.

Bike Surgeon

A big shopping complex isn’t always better. Jon Greenstreet’s bicycle shop, Bike Surgeon moved out of Green Mount Crossing in Shiloh to 201 E. State St. in 2017. Greenstreet said he considered moving into the downtown area in 2009, but at the time downtown “wasn’t where it needed to be.”

A lot has changed since then.

 

Hollyhock House

Holly Howard, of O’Fallon, opened The Hollyhock House in 2016. Located at 107 W. 1st St., her store offers women’s clothing, fashion accessories, home decor and gifts.

The 1,800-square-foot space is a former physician’s office that was vacant for two years.

Ogbah’s African Market

Linda Faas got tired of driving to St. Louis to get spices and other ingredients for her African cooking, so she opened Ogbah’s African Market in downtown O’Fallon. Food items at Ogbah’s include spices for pepper soup and jolloff rice and ingredients for garri, bantu soup and other African recipes.

Beyond selling products, Faas wants to help local residents learn about African culture.

 

Peel Pizza & Brewing Company

Located at 104 S. Cherry St., this popular pizza destination opened its second location in downtown O’Fallon in 2014. You’ll find wood-fired pizza on the menu and craft beer at the bar.

Peel Wood Fired Pizza locations, including the one in O’Fallon, have changed their policy against carryout and delivery services due to the coronavirus pandemic. O’Fallon City Administrator Walter Denton said more work addressing restaurants and retail shops will be forthcoming. BND file photo

Art Gecko

Located at 125 E. State St., this creative studio offers art classes for children and adults. Mother-daughter duo Robin Springer and Cory Hollerbach opened the space in 2016.

 
 

The Happy Bakery

Since 2011, this vegan bakery has dreamed up specialty wedding cakes, birthday cakes and desserts for every occasion.

Owner Charlie Cook moved into a new location at 106 W. 6th St. in 2017.

 

Salvatore Cincotta Photography

Salvatore Cincotta Photography bought one of downtown O’Fallon’s most historic buildings and spent about $1 million restoring it as the new home for his international photography business.

Located at 226 W. State St., the Wachter’s building found new life when the business moved in nearly five years ago.

Unity Yoga & Wellness

In 2016, this yoga studio and wellness center opened at 129 W. 1st. The owners have kept up the building’s history alive by sharing its story on social media.

Built by Leslie “Les” Proffitt in 1950, Clover Farm Store, a grocery store occupied the storefront. Nearly 70 years later, the building’s history lives on.

Karla Smith Behavioral Health

O’Fallon’s former town hall building, 200 N. Lincoln Ave., was recently renovated. Built in 1890, the building is now home to the Karla Smith Foundation, a nonprofit that helps young adult and families overcome mental and behavioral health challenges.

Little Peek Boutique

Located at 701 S. Lincoln Ave., this boutique in downtown O’Fallon offers expecting families in home and in studio virtual HD elective ultrasounds, pregnancy massage and baby products.

 

Indoor Earthworm

Nearly two years ago, this indoor gardening store opened downtown. Located at 116 W. State St., the store sells lighting, organic soils and fertilizers, seeds, vegetables and plants ready to plant and/or eat.

Cara Anthony: 618-239-2471, @CaraRAnthony

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 1:01 PM.