News

Spotlight on a Business

Farm Credit Illinois is the business featured this month in the Spotlight on Business, sponsored by the Red Bud Chamber of Commerce.

For 100 years, they have supported rural communities, farm families and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Farm Credit was established when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Farm Loan Act on July 17, 1916. Since then, the national network of Farm Credit cooperatives has provided American farm families with the financing they need to start, sustain and grow their agribusinesses. Today, Farm Credit’s system has 74 farmer owned association cooperatives which provide $235 billion in loans, leases and related services. This is more than one-third of the credit needed by U.S. agriculture.

Farm Credit Illinois is a farmer owned and directed agricultural lending cooperative serving 8,500 farm families, agribusinesses and rural landowners in the southern 60 counties of Illinois with competitive and flexible financing and risk management expertise. The association manages a $4 billion loan portfolio, sells 1.4 million acres of crop insurance coverage and employes 210 staff based in the Mahomet central office and 14 regional office locations.

Farm Credit’s unwavering commitment to Illinois agriculture and rural communities extends beyond providing financial services. From encouraging the next generation of farmers to helping educate consumers about the importance of agriculture, Farm Credit helps maintain healthy rural communities, a vibrant agriculture industry and sustainable family farm businesses which pass from generation to generation.

Farm Credit Illinois strives to return a portion of its net earnings to the rural marketplace its team members serve. These gifts are invested in youth development, ag-vocacy, community charities and outreach programs. In 2004, Farm Credit began offering agriculture scholarships to high school seniors pursing an agricultural career. Nearly $300,000 has been awarded to 275 students throughout southern and central Illinois since the program’s start. Farm Credit also provides community improvement grants to 4-H clubs and FFA chapters implementing projects that provide visible and tangible value in their communities, making them better places to live. Since 2008, more than $60,000 of grant funding has been awarded.

Team members at Farm Credit are committed to the communities in which they live, work and serve and have a goal of contributing 20,000 cumulative volunteer service hours by 2025. Service hours include hours delivered towards youth and young farmer development, ag-vocacy and community service. These volunteer efforts contribute to a vibrant agriculture industry and healthy rural communities.

Each year during harvest time and in conjunction with National Farm Safety and Health Week, Farm Credit also provides meals in the field to local farm families as a way of promoting safety.
The Red Bud Farm Credit branch is located at 111 Kennedy Drive and has seven employees. They are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Their phone number is 618-282-6673. For more information about Farm Credit Illinois, visit their website at www.farmcreditIL.com.

Spotlight on a Business

Mohr Plumbing and Heating is featured as this month’s Spotlight on a Business sponsored by the Red Bud Chamber of Commerce. The business is most likely one of the oldest in Red Bud as it celebrates 75 years this month.

Leonard Mohr established Mohr Plumbing and Heating in 1941. Using a wheelbarrow for hauling the basic hand tools needed to apply his trade, he would hustle off to the various plumbing tasks throughout the small town of Red Bud. In order to keep up with his growing business, he soon purchased a 1929 Chevy Coupe which he converted into a truck.

In 1946, Leonard’s son, Vic, returned from the Navy and brought his acquired knowledge to the business. Leonard retired in 1972 and he and his wife Dora turned the business over to their son and daughter-in-law, Vic and Trudie Mohr. Mohr Plumbing and Heating was changed to Red Bud Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical Contractors, Inc. (Red Bud P.H.C. & E., Inc.) Vic’s son Vic Jr. started with the business in 1973. He attended MacMurray College and has BA degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He has attended school for refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning and belongs to the American Chemical Society, and is a licensed plumber in the state of Illinois.

In 1975, Helen, Vic Jr’s wife, joined the business and assumed bookkeeping responsibilities. Red Bud P.H.C. & E. Contractors, Inc, became the local dealer for Kinetico Water Conditioning in 1986. After attending Kinetico’s Sales and Service Schools, Helen is now in charge of Kinetico sales and service. In 1987 the company added the assumed name of Mohr Softwater for the water conditioning portion of the business.

In 1993, Vic Jr. and Helen purchased the business from Vic Sr. and continue to service and sell quality plumbing, heating, air conditioning and water treatment equipment. Some of the lines of products that are sold are recognized brand names like Carrier heating and cooling equipment, American Standard fixtures, Delta Faucets, Kinetico Water softeners, treatment equipment and reverse osmosis drinking systems.

Due to a fire in 2005 the business moved to its current location at 110 Kennedy Drive.

Contact Mohr Plumbing at 282-2108 or visit the website at mohrplumbingandheating.com. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8-4:30 and by appointment evenings and Saturdays.

Vic and Helen appreciate all of the customers for their support over the past several years.

Spotlight on a Business

This month’s Spotlight on a Business sponsored by the Red Bud Chamber of Commerce features Second Chance Consignment & Boutique located at 114 W. Market Street.

Gina (Reinhold) Montroy, owner and operator, was born and raised in Prairie du Rocher. She opened the shop on Aug. 22, 2014. Gina purchased, renamed, relocated and took over the previous consignment shop in Red Bud, Twice Upon a Time which was located at 204 S. Main and owned by Cari Lucht.

“I have always wanted to have my own upscale consignment shop and boutique. It has been a long time dream of mine for many years. Two years ago it became a reality and now is my career and my passion,” said Gina. Gina’s mother, Patricia Reinhold also puts in many hours organizing and working to help keep the business running smoothly. Second Chance Consignment & Boutique is an upscale consignment shop. Gina only accepts items that are new, like new or gently used. All items must be in season, in style and no older than five years old. She accepts items by appointment only and no more than 60 items at a time, neatly folded in boxes, totes or laundry baskets.

The items will be consigned for 90 days and you get 50 percent of the selling price. Your account can be cashed out at the end of the 90 days, or you can choose to leave the money in your account to use as store credit. When you use store credit, you get 10 percent off your purchases. Gina also sells on eBay. If your item is sold on eBay you will get 40 percent of the selling price. Popular brands in the clean, organized and inviting 1100 square foot store include Under Armour, North Face, American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, The Buckle, Miss Me, Silver, Ann Taylor, Coldwater Creek, CJ Banks, Maurices, Chico’s, Carter’s, Osh Kosh, Justice, Crazy 8, Gymboree, Children’s Place, Sperry, Converse, Nike, Motherhood, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Miche, Vera Bradley and many more.

“Our prices are a fraction of what you pay in department stores, but right here in Red Bud,” Gina said. There are over 500 consignors from all over including Collinsville, New Athens, Smithton, Freeburg, Belleville, Chester, Marissa, Waterloo, Columbia and more. Hundreds of new items are added to the floor weekly so she encourages shoppers to stop by often. The shop includes apparel and shoes for the entire family from infant through teen, ladies’ petite through plus sizes and mens small through 3XL. There is a large selection of purses, wallets, backpacks and diaper bags along with jewelry, hair accessories and sunglasses. Also mens dress clothes, suits and ties, mother of the bride dresses, nursing scrubs, maternity clothes, many of your favorite major league and NCAA sports team apparel, Harley Davidson apparel, sports equipment and apparel, baby equipment, toys, video games and stuffed animals. There is also a large selection of home decor, collectibles, glassware, pictures and kitchen items along with window treatments, shower curtains, comforter and bedding sets.

“We always have 50 percent off racks of clothing plus every Tuesday is 10 percent off storewide and every Thursday you get to draw for 10, 15 or 20 percent off your purchase,” she said.

Gina is also an Independent Beauty Consultant for Lemongras Spa and has the full line at Second Chance. The products are 97-100 percent natural and organic with over 400 products to choose from, once again, you will find something for the entire family. All of the products are gluten-free, with no harmful chemicals, preservatives, synthetic fragrances or additives, affordably priced and made in the United States. Stop by to grab a last minute gift for birthday, anniversary, baby shower, bridal shower, get well or just because. Learn more about Lemongrass Spa, see the entire line or shop the products at www.ourlemongrassspa.com/7219. You can contact Gina for more information on how you can earn free product or purchase products at 25% off.

To check out the shop and spa go to www.consignmentredbudil.com or www.ourlemongrassspa.com/7219. Email [email protected] or call 618-282-7355. Find us, follow us and Like us on Facebook to keep up with our changing inventory.

Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Will stay later by appointment only.

Gina stated “We are here to help you save gas, time and money while looking your best and shopping local!”