GODFREY, IL – The RiverBend Growth Association’s membership continues to rise, with another five members coming on board in recent weeks. New to the organization roster are Comfort Cuisine by Lolly, EIR Home Care, River Bend Yoga, Sacred Spaces of CARE, and Strategic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Comfort Cuisine by Lolly is coming to Alton at 4 East Broadway, with an expected opening in early October. Owner Lori Bregenzer, aka Lolly, says she is looking forward to joining the growing community of businesses in historic downtown Alton.
Each week, customers will have a new selection of comfort foods to choose from, including cannelloni-style lasagna, roast chicken with German potato salad, or spinach and black bean enchiladas. The menu will be posted on their website several days in advance, and early birds will have the opportunity to take advantage of a discount when pre-ordering online. “Folks are also encouraged to drop in and pick up dinner on their way home after a hectic day,” Bregenzer adds.
Lolly’s Lunchbox will be another menu feature for the lunchtime crowd, offering handcrafted soups, salads, and sandwiches. Each week will also offer a different soup, salad, and sandwich such as grilled chicken Caesar salad, Cornish beef hand pies, and chicken and dressing soup. “Stop by to carry out a lip-smacking lunch and be the envy of your office mates,” quips Bregenzer.
“I believe that Comfort Cuisine can fill a niche by offering an alternative to fast food, which allows people to sit down to a home-cooked dinner without the shopping, cooking, and clean-up,” says Bregenzer. “And I’m joining the RBGA to enhance my experiences with the vibrant and growing business community in the Riverbend area.”
For more information about Comfort Cuisine, including updates on their opening and what Lolly is cooking up, visit online at www.ComfortCuisine.biz or call (618) 353-0200.
EIR Home Care was an inspiration that came from Brett Balsters and Cindy Cannon. The idea came from wanting to deliver great service to seniors in communities and to those who choose to live in their own homes as they age. Working together to serve seniors has always been important to Balsters and Cannon, and delivering excellent service to the community is now the driving force behind EIR Home Care.
Working from a Bethalto base, services from EIR Home Care include:
- Companionship/Home HELPer Services: Client conversation engagement; sorting mail; providing respite care; monitoring diet and eating; setting appointments and offering reminders; medication reminders; as well as participating in crafts, games, activities meal planning, and preparation; light housekeeping; laundry; ironing; shopping and errands; escorting to appointments; and incidental transportation.
- Personal Care Services: Help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and ambulation assistance.
EIR Home Care’s Laura Robinson says that the company is joining the RBGA to be a part of the local community and build relationships with other businesses while supporting small business and being a support for others. “We hope to engage with other businesses, establish growth in the Riverbend, promote and support local businesses, and be a referral source for those in need of our services,” she adds.
To learn more, call (618) 717-0249 or (618) 578-4871. Visit online at www.eirhomecare.com.
River Bend Yoga is a woman-owned space located at 100 W. Third St. in Alton. Owner Vicky Delaney opened River Bend Yoga in 2014 and has recently quadrupled her yoga space at this new location that now boasts four yoga rooms plus a small boutique area.
“We opened with the intention of bringing quality, affordable, and life-changing services to the Riverbend community,” says Delaney. “We now offer a multitude of classes, seven days a week, to suit every practitioner from beginner to the most advanced.”
Visit riverbendyoga.net online or call (618) 581-5691 to learn more.
Sacred Spaces of CARE is located at 5090 Humbert Road in Alton. Megan Tyler is its executive director.
“Sacred Spaces of CARE was founded and organized as an intentional effort to increase awareness of how trauma impacts our community,” says Tyler. “We believe that education on trauma and its effects leads to a deeper understanding of the healing journey and allows us to advocate more appropriately for ourselves and respond to the needs of others.
“Our organization empowers people to engage in mental health and take steps towards healing, through advocacy, education, and relational support within our community,” she adds. “Sacred Spaces of CARE is joining the RBGA because we are a newly founded nonprofit serving the Alton community and we would like to increase awareness of our organization and its mission.”
Tyler says that Sacred Spaces of CARE is hoping to network with others in the community through its membership in the Growth Association and is further interested in the potential for collaboration. “We believe that working together can expand our reach and lead to a greater impact in our community,” notes Tyler further.
Visit online at www.sacredspacesofcare.org or call (618) 795-2179 for more information.
Strategic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is led by Natalie Steinacher, co-owner and gym manager. It is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy that serves the greater Alton, Ill., area. They offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for kids and adults as well as kickboxing, MMA classes, self-defense classes for kids and adults, and corporate self-defense team building and workshops.
Strategic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu also offers a training program for LEOs and Cos that is accepted by the state of Illinois for meeting “use of force” training requirements.
“We are affiliated with Watson Martial Arts in St. Louis and our competition affiliation for tournaments is with TacTeam BJJ. Our school is also a member of the Adopt-a-Cop BJJ Program, Rolling for Recovery BJJ program for veterans, and the BJJ Globetrotters organization,” explains Steinacher.
“It is our continuing privilege to bring the martial arts we love to the people of the Riverbend area, including Alton, Godfrey, Bethalto, Wood River, East Alton, and beyond,” she adds. “Whether you want to learn some self-defense, competitive grappling, build confidence, get in better shape, or just de-stress at the end of your day, you will love our classes and workshops.”
“By joining the RBGA we hope, as the others in the group get to know us, that they trust us enough to recommend us to their people for their self-defense needs and maybe even want to eventually participate in the fun activities themselves,” says Steinacher.
“Strategic is joining the RBGA because we feel that a local networking program is essential to helping us serve the Riverbend community more effectively. This is our community. This is where our members live, and we would like to help keep business in the local area as well,” Steinacher says further.
For more information about Strategic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, call/text (314) 492-6506 or visit online at www.strategicbjj.com. You can also find them on Facebook: @Strategic.BJJ.Alton or @Strategic.BJJ.Hardin.
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 growthassociation.com online or call (618) 467-2280.