New Stores, Programs and a Student Project Headline "What's Up Downtown"
New shops, creative programs and a student mapping project were among the updates at Alton Main Street’s quarterly gathering. Read more about the people and plans connected to downtown Alton.
Alton Main Street’s Fall 2026 What’s Up Downtown: New Businesses, Events and Student Research
ALTON - Alton Main Street hosted their quarterly “What’s Up Downtown” event, which allowed local businesses to share more about their work and upcoming programs.
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This quarterly information exchange invites entrepreneurs and business owners to engage with the downtown community. Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street, thanked these organizations for sharing their missions. She noted that Alton Main Street sponsors a variety of winter events that are coming up; you can visit the official Alton Main Street website to learn more.
Toni Crockett recently opened The Whispering Roots at 2 W. Broadway. This boutique sells vintage home decor, curated pieces and more. Crockett also restores antiques and upcycles furniture. She expressed her excitement to collaborate with other local businesses and be a part of downtown Alton.
“We sell gifts, we sell vintage, we sell new. All things home, basically,” she said. “Everybody has been very welcoming. We’re so excited to be here.”
Jeff Bohnert with Elysian Gallery and Café thanked the Riverbend community for their support as the gallery adjusts to a new location at 419 E. Broadway. The business has expanded to include book clubs, open mics, and more in addition to their visual art gallery with 25 resident artists.
“We wanted to grow into a community and creative hub for the region, and we are doing just that,” Bohnert said. “We hope that everybody comes down and partakes in all of Alton’s activities.”
Jennifer Sawyer and Olivia Hamann will open Grace and Grit Boutique at 600 E. Broadway. The mother-daughter duo is excited to open the space in downtown Alton with a variety of clothing and skin care products. They are a family-run business that hopes to give back to the community with budget-friendly and size-inclusive options.
“People have wondered what inspired us,” Sawyer said. “We love small business. Small business is extremely important to us…I love thriving communities.”
Dr. Laura Soderburg is with SIUE and shared a student project that hopes to “map cultural assets” in Alton. The students have researched historic sites, attractions, assets like wheelchair ramps and playgrounds, and more. They hope to create an app that will help visitors plan their trips to Alton and support business owners in their work to bring in customers.
“We aim to use digital tools to help Alton tell its story to residents and visitors,” Soderburg said. “A city is defined by relationships, and these maps aim to show how key relationships are distributed across Alton.”
“What’s Up Downtown” will return in 2027 with more chances for community members to share their stories and experiences in downtown Alton.
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