Oh, Happy Day. I love the new location of CJ's Juicery. It is so cool having it inside Post…read moreCommons. What I like best, is that they open at 9 AM. I can now stop by and get a smoothie on my way to my part-time job. The new space is just inside the entrance. It's on the left side, that use to be set up as a bar. I like the convenience of being able to order my smoothie and then going over to the Post Commons counter and ordering a breakfast biscuit sandwich. My go to smoothie is always the, PBJ. It's a tasty mix of; blueberries, strawberries, bananas, peanut butter, dates and chia seeds. Once the blended concoction is poured into a glass, it's topped with granola. It's a great way to start the day. The service is always top notch. I've followed CJ's from the two previous locations to this third one and have never been disappointed. If you want a smoothie, avoid the chain company and go local with CJ's. When: February 4, 2026 Why: Breakfast Smoothie

CJ's has a very fun, bright, and chill vibe, with couches, tables, games, and even a video game…read more They also have a bistro set outside. Their PB&J bowl is delicious. The Mother Earth Matcha is beautiful and tasty. I've only ever encountered positivity and friendliness from the owner. She is willing to help with recommendations, as well.

I absolutely love this new location on Ridge Street. It's so easy to buzz through the drive-thru,…read moreget a refreshing caffeine beverage before crossing the Clark Bridge. My current favorite is a seasonal offering, Cinnamon Honey Latte. If I'm stopping before noon, it's always hot and after 12 noon, it's iced. I love the blending of cinnamon & honey. It's a sweet treat, but not overly sweet. If you need something savory to eat, I am a huge fan of their, Jalapeño Sausage Biscuit. It's delicious and easy to eat while driving. If you want something sweet, you cannot go wrong with one of their scones. Again, easy to eat on the road. If your co-pilot is your four legged best friend, be sure to get them a free Pup-Cup. They'll thank-you with lots of licks.

First time visiting the new location. Wow it looks amazing and I'm so glad they have a drive…read morethrough now to speed things up. I got a maple cortado which was a seasonal menu item. I love germanias drinks and it's always fun to try something new. The drive through made my experience quick. I liked my drink but I don't think I'd order it again cause it was a bit too sweet for me. I do think they have the best cold brew I've ever had.

Schwegel's is a fantastic little local grocery store with a top-notch butcher counter. It's a shame…read morethat they don't get the attention they deserve. The customer service is what you'd expect from a small town market, personalized and friendly. They offer monthly meat bundles that are budget friendly. Their brats will put, Johnsonville Brats to shame and Jimmy Dean's sausage cannot hold a candle to their sausage. Proof that buying local is a good thing. Some of their brands are generic, but with today's economy that is a good thing. There are lots of single little coolers around the store, filled with perishable products. Take note of the prepared foods near the butcher counter. You'll find some delicious side dishes for those tasty brats. Another end-cap to check out, is their branded spices. They're just as good as those expensive name brand spices. If you haven't shopped the aisles of Schwegel's, I recommend you correct that ASAP. You just might become a frequent shopper.

Love this small town Alton market. Shwegels has all your basic grocery needs including fresh…read moreproduce and an excellent meat section. They make their sausage and cut their meat in house. It's all great. They also have a small section in the meat department with a rotating hot item or two such as sausages, kabobs, chicken tenders. Love grabbing anything from there!! They have a large fridge packed to the brim with every kind of premade salad you can imagine (pesto pasta, caprese, different potato salads, sweet salads, baked beans, bean salad... so much more and in different convenient sizes. There's cold cans of soda in a bin at checkout. Everyone is kind and helpful. Love this family owned local grocer!!

I only stumbled upon this place because a friend had won a gift card for it. They have a pretty…read morebig variety of differernt gourmet pop corn flavors and pretty affordable prices. A lot of their falvors taste pretty similar to one another though, I know this because they have free samples. I was a bigger fan of their yogurt covered pretzels than their popcorn.

From the owner: Our signature hand crafted Porter Caramel popcorn made from Old Bakery Beer Co Organic Porter. Rich…read moreand buttery and not too sweet Beautiful and delicious Chocolate popcorn varieties to name a few Utopian Turtle, Cookies & Cream and Dark Chocolate sea salt caramel. Sugar Free Fine Chocolates, Chocolate,popcorn pizza's and popcorn "ice Cream Cones" Fudge, Bulk Candy, Whole Bean Coffee, Gift Baskets, Popcorn Tins in 5 sizes. Ship Fed Ex nation wide. Online or by phone ordering. New store opening at Alton Square Mall October 1 2018 that will include extended shopping hours.

I was pleasantly surprised. I recently learned that TSC was much more then just a smoothie…read morerestaurant. They also have sandwiches, so you can have a light and healthy lunch. The day I stopped by, I enjoyed one of their 'Dillas. I had the, Chicken Three Cheese. A quesadilla with grilled chicken, queso blanco, cheddar and smoked cheese blend. It was very flavorful and the roasted tomato salsa for dipping was super spicy. I'd buy it by the jar if it were available. As my side, I choose Lay's Baked Chips. Getting a food item, you can add a smoothie for $4.99. That is a super deal. I choose, Blueberry Bliss. It's a mixture of, blueberries, strawberries and bananas. It was refreshing. As a reminder, sip slowly to avoid a brain freeze. The service was super friendly and both associates were attentive. Their dining room is bright and clean. I like all the windows bringing in the natural light. Best of all, they had metal stools in my favorite color, orange. Also, under the counter they had hooks for bags or jackets and outlets to charge your phone or laptop. Now that I know they are much more than a smoothie place, I'll be going back.

We tried Tropical Smoothie Cafe this evening for the first time. I'm impressed! I had the chia…read morepudding bowl, my husband had a wrap. Both were delicious! The establishment is spotless with ample seating, and they have 2 tables outside too. The menu is clear and has nutritional info listed as well. Service was fast and friendly. We will be back!

When I moved out of the big city of STL, one thing I knew I was going to miss was all of the…read morespeciality boutiques. As I learn my new hometown, those needs are being fulfilled by new discoveries. I have always enjoyed buying my olive oils and balsamics from small speciality shops. Especially, little mom and pop stores. Their personalized customer service always seems to go a step beyond. I find that to be true here at the, Olive Oil Marketplace. Moving in a pandemic and cooking more at home while restaurants are shut down for eat-in, my inventory of olive oil was getting depleted fast. While I was shopping for furniture across the street, I noticed OOM as I returned to my car. Needing to stock up on olive oil, I popped inside and was pleasantly surprised. Their offerings were as extensive as some of my favorite boutiques in STL, so I felt at ease. The sales associate working that day was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. She asked about my preferences and different things that I liked. She also offered me little samplings to assist me in making my decisions. I was immediately sold on the, Jalapeño Olive Oil. Her letting me sample and sharing her opinion on, Tunisian EVOO sold me. It was so smooth and it was organic, too. In addition to the two bottles of olive oil, I purchased some Italian Herb Balsamic. No kitchen is complete without a bottle of it. While I was checking out, they signed me up for their rewards program. Which is a good thing, because I know I am going to be a regular. Good inventory and customer service is going to keep me coming back. To my surprise, you get a small free bottle on your birthday and since mine was just a day or two away, they honored it. I selected, Hickory Smoked Balsamic. Yum-Yum! When: November 14, 2020 Why: Needed Olive Oil

Well they called me me when they got the Scorpion and Ghost Pepper hot sauce in. I appreciate…read morethat. Now I am overwhelmed by the deliciousness of that hot sauce that I have to put it on everything. This hot sauce is so delicious, it makes everything taste great. I have never had a hot sauce like this in my life. My only complaint is it only comes in a little bottle, because I always need more. This hot sauce is designed for my taste buds, it makes food an experience and everything is better to my taste buds. The sweetness, spicy, hot, salty and fire, it's all there. Nothing overwhelms the other flavors; they all work in perfect harmony to to bring pleasure to the pallet. Everything I put this hot sauce on was enhanced to another level of a great taste explosion in my mouth. Even chips tasted better with this on it...Makes a boring salad come alive and create a party in my mouth. This hot sauce is almost like making love, you taste the sweetness, then a slight salty tease and then the slow release of a pleasurable hot fire hits your mouth and as soon as it peaks you start wanting the next drop on your tongue and lips. It makes your mouth water with ecstasy, your mouth becomes numb with pleasure and then you want more. Who would have known combining two peppers together would make such harmonies pleasure with everything they come in contact with. I recommend this hot sauce over all the others. It has everything I ever wanted, it is sophistication.

Just visited 1904 General Store for the first time…read more I visited downtown Alton yesterday -- for the first time in years. Decided to check out the general store as soon as I saw it -- it's a cool, welcoming old building. The first floor is full of candy, chocolate, fudge, ice cream, and other treats. I picked out some candy and sampled some delicious Belgian chocolate bars. I bought one for me, but I'll be back in a few months for friends' birthdays, and to try the fudge myself. The ice cream flavors (about 8) were all unique -- you aren't getting a simple chocolate or vanilla here. The most common of the flavors available was a rainbow sorbet. I think some of the other flavors were Shipwreck, Pirate's Bounty, and Superman, though I may not be recalling the names accurately. The upstairs is full of home decor items, including a wall decorated to look like someone's front porch. The styles are cute, though not my speed, as I am something of a minimalist. You can read all about their business and the building's Worlds Fair history over on their facebook page. Hope to visit again soon.

Beautiful old building and lovely stained glass windows! Friendly service from the lady who sold us…read moreice cream and candy.