Latest news with #SterlingMainStreet
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Morrison entrepreneur celebrates Midwest roots with curated gift shop in Sterling
Jun. 22—STERLING — Kari Carpenter's love for the Midwest runs so deep that it is now the heart of her small business. Carpenter owns The Midwest Mercantile and sells a collection of carefully curated, "giftable" items from other Midwest- and women-owned businesses, including clothing, jewelry, candles and beauty products. "I've always loved supporting other businesses," Carpenter said. "So, I thought I could bring something kind of cool to the table by curating products that speak to the Midwest that I love so much." An Iowa native with "strong Midwest roots," Carpenter now lives in Morrison and has family ties in Wisconsin and Minnesota. She launched The Midwest Mercantile two years ago while continuing to work full time in corporate accounting. Drawing on more than 20 years of retail experience, Carpenter began selling her products at pop-up markets and within shared retail spaces, eventually landing a spot at the Shoppes at Grandon Plaza in downtown Sterling. Located at 312 Second Ave., the retail incubator, run by Sterling Main Street, opened in 2023 to help online, home-based and brand-new entrepreneurs grow toward permanent brick-and-mortar locations. Carpenter admitted that entrepreneurship pushed her outside of her comfort zone. "It gets easier the more that time goes on," Carpenter said. "Plus, Sterling Main Street has done a great job of promoting the shops here." The Midwest Mercantile also operates online at where customers can browse the full selection and enjoy free shipping. Carpenter has her sights set on expanding to a larger, permanent storefront in the future. "I'm looking forward to growing and expanding, offering more products and getting feedback from people on what they want to see," Carpenter said. "I'm very excited." The store's hours are regularly posted for the month on the Sterling Main Street website at For more information, message Carpenter at themwmercantile@
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State Rep. Fritts honors Sauk Valley Women to Watch attendees
Apr. 27—SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Bradley Fritts, R-Dixon, honored Dallas Knack and Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche at the Women to Watch event April 23 in Springfield. The event featured a breakfast, networking lunch, listening session and informational seminar by women in leadership roles. The attendees also were honored by state Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna. "I was thrilled to welcome Dallas Knack and Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche to the Women to Watch event," Fritts said in a news release. "Both Dallas and Jennifer are incredibly accomplished women who are dedicated to making our community a better place." Knack is the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce's executive director. She also is the leader of the Sauk Valley Community Leadership Program, Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities Program, Sterling Main Street's Economic Vitality and Sauk Valley Under 40 group. Knack is an Alpha Gamma Delta alumni, a volunteer adviser to two collegiate chapters, and an Empower Leadership Program facilitator in the U.S. and Canada. Hintzsche earned the first bioinformatics doctorate from Northern Illinois University in 2014. Her research portfolio includes more than 25 peer-reviewed scientific articles and 800 citations in academic journals. Hintzsche also developed the PherDal Kit, the only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit. "This event was an incredible opportunity for Dallas, Jennifer and dozens of other women from across Illinois to meet and network with other emerging women leaders," Fritts said in the release. "I was honored to welcome both of these accomplished women, who call the 74th District home, to Springfield."
