Hi Everyone, Welcome to Blog #10 Today is April 7 th, 2025 The Bruised Poppy is my favorite small business. The boutique is located at 105a North State Street, Freeburg, IL. They specialize in small-batch orders like purses, home decor, jewelry, candles, and more. The family-owned business started in 2022. The boutique has constant sales and free shipping opportunities daily. Freeburg is full of businesses, but nothing comparable to this beloved boutique. The owner, Holly Shearer, loves the idea of helping her community. When opening The Bruised Poppy, she wanted to incorporate a way of giving back to her customers. The Bruised Poppy, being the only boutique in Freeburg, was a good source of customer flow. Holly has had the opportunity to help dozens of families, schools, and other small businesses. She has hosted multiple fundraisers like Lunch Money Bracelets and Sip & Shop. My favorite motto from Holly is “Small, local boutique! We order in small quantities to keep you and your choices unique.” Not only is the business safe and secure, but the owner puts her whole heart into this business. Holly’s strong work ethic gives her the drive and determination to make her business better. In the future, she plans to grow her business and give even more back to the community. For more information contact: (618) 710- 0105 & brusiedpoppy@gmail.com Feel free to follow the socials below: Instagram- the_brusied_poppy Facebook- the bruised poppy TikTok- the bruised poppy       Love my Merch! Question Of The Day: What is your favorite small business? Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone, Welcome to Blog #9 :) Today is April 3rd, 2025 Goshen Coffee is a local café in Edwardsville, Illinois. For 20+ years, it has provided a wide range of coffee blends. It is a family-owned and female-led coffee roaster. They have 2 locations, one in Edwardsville and another in Soulard in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. I LOVE Goshen! In my opinion, the coffee tastes different from Starbucks, Dunkin, 7 Brew, Dutch Bros, and more. I will also say the service at Goshen is a lot faster. I went to Goshen last week and I got the drip coffee with oat milk, and I got the sweet cocoa toast. It was so good. Goshen is also a remarkable study spot as well! I have gone there a couple of times to study this year, there are many types of seating, and is located in a great area. I just think cafés are such a fun place to go. Goshen is definitely a top contender as one the best café’s I’ve been to. Not to mention, Goshen provides the BEST hours! Goshen is open every day from 7 am – 5 pm.   Be sure to follow Goshen’s Socials: Instagram- @goshencoffee Facebook- Goshen Coffee Company Website- goshencoffee.com Contact- (618) 650-9086 & info@goshencoffee.com Question Of The Day: Do you have a favorite Coffee? Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone, Welcome to Blog #8 :) Today is March 28th, 2025 Salt + Honey is a brand-new café located in Waterloo, IL. It offers a wide variety of coffee, tea, food, and more.  It has definitely become one of my favorite studying spots. They have great, fast service, as well as one of my favorites, outdoor seating. The bistro is great in size, and a bonus would be it being one of the first places you see coming into town. One of the best things about Salt + Honey, in my opinion, would be their hours! They are open Monday – Friday, 7 am – 4 pm, Saturday, 8 am – 2 pm, and Sunday, 10 am-2 pm. They also have an event room by scheduling availability. Salt + Honey also gives back to their customers and community through fundraisers and bonus discounts. This is a way to support the community and give back by doing what they love! Might I add that Salt + Honey is also a safe environment, judgment-free, and provides safe security to all their customers. Some of my favorite items to order are their acai bowls, salt + honey spinach salad, and vanilla bean chai. They also promote a “yummy carbs” category, which includes bagels, muffins, coffee cakes, pastries, and cookies. From first-hand experience, the pastries are to die for!   Be sure to follow their social below: Instagram- saltandhoneywaterloo Facebook- Salt + Honey Bistro and Event Space   Website- SaltandHoneyWaterloo.com Contact- (618) 612-3836 & saltandhoneywaterloo@gmail.com Southwest Protein Bowl :)   Question Of The Day: Do you have a favorite Café/Coffee Shop? Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Blog #7 :) Today is March 18th, 2025   I am very excited to be discussing one of the best local spots to hit! Eckert’s is a family farm business that offers fresh produce, a restaurant, a store, and many more. As well as including four convenient locations: Belleville, Millstadt, Grafton (Illinois locations), and Versailles Orchard, Ky.   I have gone to Eckert’s in Belleville ever since I was a little girl. It is such a fun environment that offers the best service and delicious food! My top favorite events are apple picking, hayrides, and fresh bakery goods. There is not one time I have been upset with the service or products it is also one the best family-friendly place to go.   Eckert’s Family Farm hosts events every major holiday and season. The establishment, on top of producing seasonal products, decorates the farm like no other establishment. It brings me great joy to see Eckert’s during the fall and winter. You have to see for yourself that the Christmas decorations are amazing.  With that being said, Eckert’s also provides the best Christmas Trees!   It is a family tradition every year that my parents take my brothers and me to Eckert’s and spend the whole day hanging out, eating great food with even greater people!   Hands down, Eckert’s is a must on your to-do list. Eckert's Website: https://eckerts.com Photoshoots at Eckerts, November 9th, 2013 Belleville, IL September 18th, 2010 Question Of The Day: What is one family tradition you do every year? Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Blog #6 :)   Today is March 7th, 2025   I just recently found out about Riverbend Resale, but it has easily become one of my favorite thrifts!  Riverbend Resale sells items ranging from household décor to children-adult clothing. They are located at 41 E. Ferguson Avenue, Wood River, IL 62095. They are open Monday- Saturday, 9:30 am- 5:30 pm.   When I visited Riverbend Resale just a few weeks ago, my friend and I were looking for wall décor and other apartment finds. We found more than enough items that would look perfect in our future apartment. Might I add that it is for a good, affordable price.   Riverbend Resale has been open since 1994 and is owned by the sweet Lena Hartsock. When I was there, Lena was working, and she was sweetest, always checking on us. She also gave us a deal with our purchase, which is always great! Riverbend Resale also has over 300 positive reviews.   The store is full of all kinds of items and was a fun environment overall. It has two floors, one being a basement. The upstairs is filled with adult clothing and accessories. The basement caught my attention the most, it was full of beautiful paintings and other décor pieces. It also had a section dedicated to youth clothing and toys.   I suggest this store to all the thrift store lovers out there!   You can contact Riverbend Resale at (618) 254-1200   Instagram: riverbendresale Facebook: Riverbend Resale      The Beautiful Piece of Wall Decor         Question Of The Day: Have you ever been to a thrift store? If so, what did you buy? Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Blog #5 :) Today is March 1st, 2025 One of my personal favorites, Walton’s Ice Cream & More, is a family-run ice cream shop based out of Smithton, Illinois. I have been going to Waltons for the past 6 years; it hands down is the best ice cream shop around! Walton’s provides outdoor seating and a drive-thru. They are known for their traditional flavors of soft-serve ice cream, including vanilla, chocolate, orange, chocolate twist, and orange twist. Not only does Waltons serve the best ice cream, but they have food as well. They have a long selection of food, ranging from BBQ nachos to Philly cheesesteaks. My favorite thing to order at Waltons is a cotton candy slushie with blueberry boba and a chicken caesar wrap with an order of fries. My friends and I go to Waltons every summer. It is a great atmosphere and a family-friendly establishment. Walton’s has also done an amazing job interacting with their community. They have worked with the grade school and other local businesses on countless fundraisers. Waltons, like many ice cream shops, is closed almost every day throughout the winter but opens the first week of March. They are open Sunday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm and Friday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm. Walton’s Website- www.waltonsicecream.com Walton’s Instagram- waltonsicecream Walton’s Facebook- Walton’s Ice Cream & More Question Of The Day: What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Blog #4 :) Today is, February 23rd,  2025 You Bee You Boutique- what a clever name! I first visited this small business last year during the spring. This boutique is about 25 minutes from my house, located in Redbud, IL. Although I have only visited this store a handful of times, I suggest it to everyone. It reminds me of Crackle Barrel’s store department; the boutique is full of all kinds of clothing, accessories, and even household items. The owner, Marilyn Ellner, created such a positive environment in her boutique. You Bee You Boutique collaborates with many other local businesses and strives to bring in products her customers are looking for. Today, there is an event being held called Prom Dress Resale, where people can bring in their old prom dresses and potentially earn money back from the sales. You Bee You Boutique is collaborating with another local business called Bale Out LLC. The boutique will also be introducing its new spring clothing line today. My favorite things I have purchased from You Bee You Boutique are their seasonal candles, clothing, and hats. Each season there have been the CUTEST candles in all kinds of shapes, pumpkins, christmas trees, easter eggs, etc. The clothing sold is trendy and fashionable. The hat selection is amazing; there is a corner of the store dedicated to headwear ranging from trucker hats to cowboy/girl hats. Email: youbeeyou2@gmail.com Instagram: youbeeyouboutique Facebook: You Bee You Boutique Tiktok: youbeeyouboutique Website: www.youbeeyouboutique.com/ Question Of The Day: What is your favorite item to shop for? (games, clothing, food, etc.) Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Blog #3 :) Today is February 10th, 2025 Shirwin Farms is a fresh produce and garden center supply store located in Lenzburg, IL. I have gone to Shirwin’s ever since I was a little girl, maybe because I only live a minute away or because it is affordable and respectable. Shriwin’s hours are Monday- Sunday from 8:00 to 4:30. They are closed January-February, but re-open the first week of March. Shirwin’s is a place that will never let you down! The store has great employees who are always working on something or offering to load items into your car. Not only does Shirwin’s provide fresh produce, but they also distribute the best gardening supplies, like tools, yard decorations, flower pots, and more. Some of my favorite items we purchase from Shirwins every year would be salsa, pumpkins, and mums! One thing to know about Shirwin Farms would be how they change with the seasons. Their produce shifts as well as their gardening supplies. I would say Shirwin’s gets the most traffic during the fall and winter. Every year, Shirwin sells pumpkins and Christmas trees and, personally my favorite, the best premade bows! Shirwin Farms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Shirwin-Farms-100057172581604/ Credit: Shirwin Farms Facebook (Modglin Photography) Question Of The Day: What is your favorite plant/flower? Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Blog #2 :) Today is February 3rd, 2025 I am so excited to speak on a small business everyone needs to know about. The Coffee Pot is a thriving coffee shop, there are 3 locations, all pretty local in the Metro East: Freeburg, IL, Colombia, IL, and a mobile unit that travels! The Coffee Pot was founded by the lovely Carrie Bauer! One of my favorite takes aways from this small business would be the bright smiles the employees have on their faces every time I stop by. While The Coffee Pot have a wide range of coffee options they also provide Lotus Drinks (Plant-Based Energy Tea). I first tried The Coffee Pot in December of 2023. The first drink I tried was seasonal and called "The Happy Camper", it was full of SOOO much flavor! I have yet to try a Lotus but foresee one in the near future. I would say my favorite location would be in Freeburg, IL. Mostly because I live about 15 minutes away! It is located in the same lot as my favorite small business boutique "The Bruised Poppy". It is great days like these when I get to enjoy shopping and sipping on some of the best coffee I've had. The Coffee Pot's Website: https://themobilecoffeepot.square.site FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/Thecoffeepotmobilecafe/ INSTAGRAM : https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeepotmobilecafe/?hl=en DRINK: THE COFFEE POT LATTE February 10th, 2024 Question Of The Day: What is your favorite drink to get at a coffee shop? Thank you, Kaylee Juenger

Hi Everyone! Welcome to the Blog :) Today is February 2nd, 2025, my name is Kaylee Juenger, I am a sophomore at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I am majoring in Applied Communications Studies with a degree track in Public Relations and a minor in Mass Communications. For my first entry, I will be discussing my small business Kaylee Marie Photography. I thought this would be a great opportunity to talk about other small businesses. I sugges t taking a glance over my philosophy, why I started my business, as well as my portfolio, to learn more about my small business. Today, I will be talking about my portfolio, it includes some of my first ever pictures I have shot. The photo I have shared is a picture of myself, technically I still took this picture because I set a timer on my camera. This picture in particular, had a lot going on in the background so I decide to take it through photoshop and blurred the background so the photo would focus more on myself. I have had multiple instances where I have had to retouch the background and edit the photo in general. People like the idea of having a "natural" picture but I try my best to just enhance the naturalness found within the photo. In the future, I plan to enhance more photos like this. Credit: Kaylee Marie Photography Question Of The Day: What is better, a non-edited natural photo or a edited natural photo? Let me know what you think. Thank you, Kaylee Juenger