Foxes boxes team – Jamie Haas, Tanya Fox, Solaris Dale (not pictured is Lauren Seidler)
GODFREY, IL – After a 4,000-mile journey and a leap across “the pond” that landed its owner in the Riverbend, Foxes Boxes has now been chosen as the RiverBend Growth Association Small Business of the Month award recipient for October 2024.
Foxes Boxes Entrepreneur Tanya Fox grew up in London with a Greek mother and an older Jewish father. Her father ran his own successful tailoring business while her mother raised the children. She has two sisters and one brother, with large age gaps between them. Growing up in a big city suburb, minutes away from the city center and all the attractions and history, Fox lived between London and Cyprus until she graduated from the university with her Bachelor of Arts degree.
“I moved to the U.S. to pursue the American dream,” says Fox. “I now live on a farm and love being close to nature. It is quite different and surprising to people who knew me before.”
The business began 12 years ago, in 2012: “I started out with just organic veggies,” says Fox, “and moved into baked goods and flowers.” She further points out that everything served is made fresh, in-house, and nothing is fried.
Foxes Boxes first established its physical footprint on Airline Drive in East Alton. “The move into our first brick-and-mortar space happened in January 2021.” However, a need for more space prompted an expansion that brought them to the current spot at 515A N. Bellwood Drive in Bethalto. The location is across from Schnucks and sits north of the Hit N Run at the busy intersection of Bellwood and IL-140.
With the expansion of the business also came an expansion of its staff, now totaling seven after adding five employees.
“I have reinvested each year, and about six years ago, I bought a farm with 11 acres. We put up a big greenhouse, and now have three, realizing there was room to grow flowers. I sell bouquets from our bakery location and at the Alton Farmers Market during the season, and only sell what I grow,” Fox shared during a 2023 interview with the RBGA.
The expansion of Foxes Boxes in recent years, Fox says, has been possible because of the support from the local area, but more recently, she admits, “It’s a struggle financially.”
Keeping involved in the community is important, and Foxes Boxes does so in diverse ways. “We donate to food pantries usually weekly,” notes Fox. She said that the staff has met several veterans in the area “who wanted to meet somewhere without the pressure of alcohol and a place they could bring their family.”
Local area veteran Shannon Yount had also reached out to Foxes Boxes, and now the business hosts a monthly “vet-together.” The gathering is held on the first Sunday of each month on site starting at 9:30 a.m. Food and drink are the attendees’ responsibility, but a veteran’s discount is available. “We also have a veteran wall if anyone wants to add a picture,” Fox adds.
Store hours are Wednesday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 2 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Its daily menu features a variety of breakfast and lunch options, along with some beautiful botanicals.
For more information about Foxes Boxes, call (618) 251-8081 or visit online at https://www.foxes-boxes.com/. You can also find them on Facebook, @Foxes-Boxes.
The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the Growth Association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call (618) 467-2280.
RBGA’s Small Business of the Month Committee recognizes a different member business each month for its outstanding efforts and leadership in the community. Committee members include Brenda Eardley, Vicki Hake, Vickie Hopkins, Amy Roady, Martha Schultz and Alexis Weller.
To learn more about membership in the RiverBend Growth Association and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call their Godfrey office.
