Business Spotlight
Iya’s and Friends
422 W Gallatin
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 432-2210
Normal Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10:00 – 5:30 and Saturday 10:00 – 4:00
Winter Hours: Wednesday – Friday 10:00 – 5:30 and Saturday 10:00 – 4:00
No employees at this time, just me and 30 Vendors. Vendors volunteer to help me from time to time.
Each Vendor will do their individual sales at any given time. We do have giveaways, drawings for items throughout the year. We have sidewalk sales during the summer. Participate with City/downtown festivities. Shop Small, Olde Tyme Christmas, Farmers Markets, etc. We have some of our own too. Becoming popular is our Bah Humbug Weekend! Usually between shop small and Olde Tyme Christmas. Just come in and say Bah Humbug and receive a free gift. Just a small way for us to give back to our customers who have come in all year.
We were the official Bicentennial Store during the Vandalia Bicentennial Celebration. It was a lot of work but was great fun. We still have some Bicentennial merchandise for sale. We also sell items for the City of Vandalia, Fayette County Museum, National Road, Vandalia Historical Society, etc. Our store and vendors have donated to Shop with the Cop, Unity Baptist Church, Charter’s Patio, Food Pantry, etc. We donate items to fundraisers for silent auctions, etc. We also have sent items and money to a family in Ghana, Africa. I got to know them by sending a box through Church and Good Samaritan Purse. I included a letter to them and received a letter back! Our family is Pastor Joe Dassah, his wife and children. His son Asher received my box a few years back. What a blessing. Wishing I could do more for them but shipping costs are horrible! Asher has recently graduated high school and wants to come to the US to go to college. Then COVID hit! Still wants to but waiting awhile. His sister wants to as well, but she is younger. We face time each other often. I have made and given away 100’s and 100’s of crocheted dish cloths. These have been handed out at Olde Tyme Christmas by my husband Mayor Ricky Gottman. The first year I gave away 200, have done it a few years. We didn’t giveaway as many this year, (COVID) but still crocheting away.
I have always been involved with this Community in some fashion. I have sat on many boards, resided as President on a few. Some include the Friends and Families of Fayette County Hospital, Vandalia Historical Society, Cameo Women’s Club, Bowling, etc My shop sponsors 2 bowling teams and I bowl on both/Tuesday and Thursday nights, so much fun! I am not a good bowler but we do have a lot of fun. Great bunch of girls!
My shop offers, hand crafted items, new, used, vintage, antique, unique items not found just anywhere. Items are affordable prices. We get new items in every day. I am blessed with a great group of vendors. COVID may have slowed us down, but it hasn’t stopped us yet! We do have a Face Book page but no website yet.
The name “Iya” came from my Goddaughter, who is also my Great Niece. She has called me Iya from the time she could speak. Not sure how Iya came from Anita, but…..
I think we started with around 12 vendors and have grown to 30. We are planning our 4th year in business celebration which will be this coming June. We call it our Birthday Party. Always been my dream to own my own shop. Almost to the 4 year mark! A lot of work but has been so much fun and so rewarding. You hear customer’s comments on how clean the shop is, it smells so good, how they love our displays, they just love it and keep coming back. I have heard some even say it is their favorite place to go. It makes your heart happy when you hear these types of comments. We have received several of the Best in County Awards. I received the Economic Impact Business of the Year Award from the City in 2019. That same year I was named Woman of the Year by the Soroptimist International of Vandalia. So Honored and humbled by these awards.
Shop, eat and get serviced locally! There are so many small businesses in our community that have so much to offer. So shop, eat, get your construction, plumbing, electricity, etc. Local! We all rely on you!
Ramsey Lake Golf Course
771 E 2900 Ave, Ramsey, IL 62080
618-423-2261
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Thursday and Sunday 7AM to 9PM, Friday and Saturday 7AM to12AM
Number of Employees at your location:
1 employee
Services Offered:
Full service Pro Shop, Putting Green, Gambling Machines, Pool Table, Darts, and Cocktail. We also have Putt Putt Golf.
Community service:
Our Mission: To promote our course as a place where more and more people say...I belong to “this place” and I act more responsibly for it.
Vision: To foster the sense of community and show support for the men, women and children at all walks of life that will come together on a golf course.
Business Showcase:
Ramsey Lake Golf Course is a terrific choice for your regular round of golf or a new destination for you and friends when visiting Ramsey. Our young people are growing up too quickly in this technological world. Being able to gather with friends to play golf gives young golfers the opportunity to spend enjoyable time in friendly competition. The diversity found on a golf course opens young golfers to a broader view of the world and all people. The benefits of life-long friends and learning a game that can be played for years is a big part. Golf can be an event around which all family members can gather for several hours. Golf is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and pillars of the community to provide positive feedback and encouragement to our children.
​Lanracorp, Inc.
619 South 3rd Street
Brownstown, IL 62418
618-427-3242
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 7:00 AM to 5:00PM
Number of Employees: 62
Services Offered:
We are a pipeline maintenance contactor performing all across the U.S.
Right of Way Services: Right of Way Clearing, Railroad Vegetation Management, New Pipeline Clearing, Right of Way Assessment, Pipeline Digs and Land Agents
Industrial Site Services: Vegetation Management, Asset Management and Property Management
Pipeline Restoration Services: Pipeline Restorations and Erosion Control
What would you like Showcased about your business:
We are a growing business, having hired several people the past few years. In general, we offer good pay, benefits and usually lots of overtime for those that want it. We pride ourselves on our safety record, which is important in our industry.
Iya’s and Friends
200 Mattes Ave
Vandalia, IL
Hours of Operation:
Lobby M-TH 8:30 – 4:00 PM, Friday 8:30 – 5:00 PM, Saturday closed (lobby)
Drive-Up M-F 8:00 – 5:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 – 12:00 noon
Number of Employees at your location: 8
1 employee with 40+ years
2 employees with 10+ years
Services Offered/Specials:
We offer a wide variety of Checking & Savings accounts.
Consumer, Mortgage and Commercial Lending
Trust & Investment Services
Community Service:
One of our favorite Community Involvements would have to be the Annual Pack the Place Event that is held at the Senior Night football game. Peoples State Bank pays all admissions and gives a donation of $500 to each the Sport Boosters and Band Program. The past 2 years we have requested nonperishable food items. The items are then donated to the Nourishing Greatness Program which sends 4 ½ meals & snacks home with kid on the weekends. We have really seen an outpouring response and this past year at least ¼ of the donations came from the opposing team. Peoples State Bank understands the needs in our community. We enjoy being able to give monetary donations to local organizations and events. Our true pride comes from being able to be a face within our community. Whether it be attending a local event, helping plan an event, or even being a member of our local organizations. Supporting our community is one of our number one priorities.
Business Showcase:
When you walk in to our facility we don’t want you to feel like just another customer, we want you to know you and your needs are important to us. Customer Service is our #1 Priority at Peoples State Bank. Every Client is different and has their own story to tell and we are here to listen and do what is best for our customers.
Driftstone Pueblo
702 Tower Road, St. Elmo IL 62458
618-829-3158
Hours of Operation:
Retail Store: 9:00 am-6:00 pm Everyday(except Easter, Thanksgiving & Christmas)
Wholesale Warehouse: 9:00 am – 6:00 PM M-F
Number of Employees at your location:
16 employees
Services Offered:
Wholesale / Retail Sales
Community service:
As an active member of the community we are proud to say we sponsor the CEO program.
Donations: Caring & Sharing, Nourishing Greatness, School for the Blind in India, Boy Scout Camp (donated rock and pavilion), Gateway PGA Foundation, Vandalia High School, VFW, City of St. Elmo Deken Park, St. Elmo yearbook, St. Elmo Post Prom, St. Elmo Labor Day Celebration, Scramble for Life, Mid America Preparatory School, Wounded Warrior Project, Vandalia Field of Dreams, Lighthouse Pregnancy Health Center, Brownstown High School yearbook, Brownstown High School Post Prom, Numerous Native American Events & Schools.
Business Showcase:
Customer Service is our #1 priority.
Ship merchandise to over 8,000 businesses worldwide.
Directly import gems, minerals, souvenir items from 14 different countries.
Travel to the Southwest to purchase authentic Native American made jewelry and crafts directly from the makers, which helps their families.
GPI Roofing & Power Washing
1705 Veterans Avenue
Vandalia, IL
618-780-1155
Hours of Operation:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Number of Employees at your location:
8
Services Offered/Specials:
Roofing – Shingles, Metal, Rubber, Mod Bit & Repairs
Power Washing – Ag, Commercial & Residential
Soft Wash – Roofs, Siding and Wood
Community Service:
Installed roof for American Legion – Herrick (volunteered labor)
Assisted local scout in Eagle Project
Sponsor at Charters Patio, YMCA, MAPS (Mid America Preparatory School), Friends & Families of Fayette County Hospital
Business Showcase:
We offer a quality roofing system along with any repairs or general maintenance after. Also, we can clean up your biggest investment with our Clean-up Crew.
Wabash Valley Produce
Farina, IL
6:00 am – 12:00 am (day / evening shifts)
115 Employees
Services Offered: Wabash Valley Produce is a leading United States egg processor and supplier of egg products. Our farm staff works diligently to provide proper care for our hens which in turn produce high-quality eggs. These eggs are shipped to our further processing facility, where they are broke and separated into liquid whole egg, egg whites, and egg yolk for pasteurization. The pasteurized products are then packaged and shipped out as ingredients for our customers all over the United States. While liquid egg products are our primary focus, we also produce significant quantities of dried, frozen, and specialty/value-added egg products across our operations located in multiple states.
Community Service:
Our people and the communities they call home are greatly valued and viewed as high priority within our family-owned company. Contributing to the betterment of local parks, facilities, schools, and other organizations are a few ways that we give back. We have always encouraged our employees to participate on town boards and leadership groups within community organizations. Furthermore, we are proud to have provided assistance with multiple economic development grants for the local area in recent years.
Showcase: Originally known as Brown Produce, Wabash Valley Produce has been a part of the community since the 1950s. We got our start by gathering eggs from local contract growers and then breaking those eggs by hand. Wabash Valley Produce has grown to supply pasteurized egg products to the Who’s Who in the food industry. Our central location has allowed us to be a convenient supplier, from coast to coast, to companies across the United States. Our mission is to continue to supply a safe and high-quality product to our customers while providing a stable, family-oriented work environment for years to come. Wabash Valley Produce is proud to call Farina home!