These days, small businesses have more to worry about than ever before.
The economy is down. Gas prices are up.
So to get customers through the door, a few metro-east business owners are trying to help shoppers make the trip less costly by giving them free fuel.
Through Thursday, for every $200-worth of jewelry and other merchandise that you buy at Keck's Jewelers at Belleville Crossing in Belleville, you will receive a $10 gas card. Owner Dennis Keck said he has offered this promotion for those recently selling him their gold as gold prices have reached historic high.
On Tuesday, Allison's Comfort Shoes & Boots at 4225, Suite 1, Illinois 159 in Glen Carbon is raffling a $250 gas card.
And Don Tshannen has been raffling two $25 gas cards a week at his 11 Jan's Hallmark stores since June 7 and will continue the promotion through Thursday.
"We've been trying to find something that sticks, and everything seems to be more expensive," Tshannen said. "People seem to be more concerned about the dollars and where their dollars are going."
You can find Jan's Hallmark in Belleville, Swansea, O'Fallon, Shiloh, Columbia, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Granite City and Wood River. ...
Speaking of Jan's Hallmark, Tshannen said he will open a new store at Belleville Crossing soon, possibly as soon as August. The store will replace the one at 1548 W. Highway 50 in O'Fallon, which closed last Friday. ...
For the first time in its 40 year history, Fun Spot Skating Center will open for summer skating. The skating rink, at 1400 West Blvd. in Belleville, will be closed the first week of July and will reopen on July 8 with skating every Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., on Friday nights from 7:30-11 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-3 p.m., 3-5 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m. Call the rink at 234-4502 or visit online at www.funspotrocks.com to find out more. ...
The Great Skate, located at 284 Riggin Road in Troy, will be having a 4th of July Carnival with food and games on Friday prior to a fireworks show. Call 667-3319 for more information. ...
Stevens Worldwide Van Lines has added Belleville commercial trucking company Rut's Moving & Delivery Inc. to its group of agents. The Saginaw, Mich.-based company has more than 130 service-oriented trucking agents nationwide. You can find Rut's at 101 Premier Drive in Belleville or by calling 235-1042. ...
Marsha Weinert has a new pool supply store is now serving customers in Granite City. Sparkling Water is open for business at 2914 Nameoki Road, Suite C. You can call 451-9005. ...
The Hawg Cafe at 1371 Edwardsville Road in Granite City has reopened and is under new management. You can call the restaurant at 876-9000. ...
Retail property developer AH Realty Advisors has room for only one more tenant at Fire House Crossing in Belleville. Smoothie King is the most recent business to open at the retail plaza, located at 330 Frank Scott Parkway West. The nutritional juice smoothie chain has more than 475 locations in 32 states. Adam and Jennifer Dohm have opened the first in metro-east. You can call them at 980-7627. ...
And finally, School House Grill at Senior Services Plus Inc. in Alton has expanded. The restaurant at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. offers breakfast and lunch 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. It also is a Meals On Wheels provider that delivers more than 600 meals daily to seniors in Madison and St. Clair counties. Call 465-3298 to find out more.
Contact reporter Will Buss at wbuss@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 24.
