GODFREY — The RiverBend Growth Association recently helped two member businesses, Green Tree Inn of Elsah and Olive Oil Marketplace, mark their 10-year anniversaries.

Olive Oil Marketplace's 10th anniversary celebration included a radio broadcast, cake, ice cream, and its "Get-R-Smoked" pulled pork along with other signature recipe dishes. Also on hand were local vendors sharing products carried in Olive Oil Marketplace’s store.

Olive Oil Marketplace partnered with local restaurants in May for its inaugural “Olive Oil Marketplace Restaurant Week.” Partnering restaurants featured special dishes using the store's products. They included Bossanova Lounge & Restaurant, Bluff City Grill, Mac’s Downtown Alton, State Street Market of Alton, Morrison’s Irish Pub, The Brown Bag Bistro, Lucianna’s Pastries, Old Bakery Beer Company and My Just Desserts.

Owners Tim and Julie Meeks launched Olive Oil Marketplace in 2011 from the road.

“We sold at fairs, festivals, and craft shows our first year before we went to brick and mortar,” said Tim Meeks. He said they chose Alton as their first permanent location because of its “small-town feel and because it was a vibrant community that was still growing and thriving.” Being in the historic downtown river tourist traffic area was another draw. The business has since opened a second location at 310 E. Main St. in Belleville. It currently has two full-time and two-part time employees.

The business offers 100 percent extra virgin olive oils from farms in Italy, Spain, Tunisia, California and Greece. There are more than 35 flavored olive oils, 35 flavored balsamic vinegars, handmade pastas, seasoning blends and rubs, dips and sauces, pepper jellies, jams, mustards, soup mixes, kitchen and grilling gadgets, loose teas and fresh-roasted coffee beans. They have a tasting room and retail store in Alton.

When asked what had helped them over the past 10 years to get to where they are now, Julie Meeks said, “Faith, family, friends, and a lot of hard work. And the loyal support from our customers.”

“We hope when you come into our store, you feel welcomed and comfortable,” she added. “We welcome customer requests and look forward to the opportunity to earn their trust as we deliver some of the finest products Italy has to offer.

"Our customers’ experiences are of the utmost importance," she said. "We are totally committed to exceeding expectations, one customer at a time.”

For more details, visit oliveoilmarketplace.com, call 618-304-3769 or email sales@oliveoilmarketplace.com.

Green Tree Inn of Elsah hosted its 10th-anniversary celebration on June 21. Attendees included Elsah Mayor Mike Pitchford, the builder and original owner of the Green Tree Inn. The event featured triple chocolate brownies, chocolate chip bars, gooey butter cake, fresh fruit and veggie pizza.

Gary and Connie Davis said they were looking for a bed and breakfast business investment when they came across Elsah 10 years ago.

“We had looked at several other locations before we came to look at Green Tree,” said Connie Davis. “The first time we came into the village, there was just a little bit of snow and it looked like a winter wonderland. We were hooked. We immediately fell in love with the Village of Elsah.”

The Davises, who live on the property, are the third owners of the inn initially opened by Pitchford in 1986. They also serve as its two full-time employees, with added support provided by the inn’s two part-time housekeepers.

“We are a true bed and breakfast,” Connie Davis said. “We provide homemade sweet treats every afternoon and a full home-cooked breakfast each morning. We will also provide dinner for our guests if they book the entire inn for their stay. This is a great place for family reunions or retreats. And we can also host small weddings at our gazebo.

“We just received the TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Award for the third year in a row,” Davis noted. “This award is given to the top 10 percent of all lodging properties worldwide. We would not have received this award if it had not been for our wonderful guests taking the time to submit their reviews.

“Gary and I love getting to know our guests over breakfast,” she added. “We also love sharing the history of Elsah. We are happy to do private tours of Elsah’s village museum for our guests too.”

For more information visit greentreeinnelsah.com, call 618-374-2821 or email owner.greentreeinn@gmail.com.

The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and economic development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call 618-467-2280.