Moline’s Dot’s Pots Honored By Illinois Office of Tourism’s Illinois Made Program
The Illinois Office of Tourism announced 28 new small businesses, or ‘Makers’ have been recognized as part of the Illinois Made program, and Moline’s Dot’s Pots is among them!
The program recognizes each business as a hidden gem for locals and visitors to discover, offering unique products and experiences all around the state. From vegan dessert makers, alpaca and hemp farmers, and a Chicago candlemaker with a mission to provide young moms with critical job training skills – each of the small businesses featured help make Illinois a one- of-a-kind destination for visitors.
The Illinois Made program, launched in 2016, inspires residents and visitors to discover the people, products and authentic experiences created by one-of-a-kind small businesses found in every region of the state. This newest class of Makers is being announced just in time to highlight for consumers even more options to buy local products during this year’s holiday shopping season.
“Illinois is home to a diverse, vibrant small business community which attracts visitors from across the country and around the world. Through our Illinois Made program – we celebrate the unique contributions of small businesses across our communities and provide people yet another reason to explore all aspects of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I want to congratulate the 28 new Illinois Makers on this distinguished honor, and encourage our residents and visitors alike to plan a visit to discover the products and experiences unique to Illinois.”
The Illinois Made program now features over 200 Makers from all corners of Illinois and continues to drive foot traffic into local small businesses around the state.
“Small businesses are the backbone of Illinois’ economy and offer food, products and experiences that make a visit to all regions of Illinois special,” said Sylvia I. Garcia, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), which includes the Illinois Office of Tourism. “We are excited to expand the Illinois Made program to include 28 additional small businesses that have unique made in Illinois products and highlight why folks should visit communities across our great state.”
“This new Illinois Made class is a diverse representation of the unforgettable experiences visitors can find across our state, from the big city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs, all the way to rolling hills of Southern Illinois,” said Karla Flannery, Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism. “We look forward to finding new and exciting ways to promote this group of small businesses, their owners and communities to both domestic and international visitors.”
The 2021 Illinois Makers reflect a wide range of business types – from restaurants, breweries and wineries, to retail, farms and orchard businesses – which coincide with the latest trends in tourism, including artisan products and those offering outdoor experiences for visitors. This year more than half (18) of the businesses represented are owned by women or people of color.
QC Business Recognized
Dot’s Pots in Moline carry pottery created by Dorothy “Dot” Beach-Lawrence and her husband Dan Lawrence. Dot and Dan create wheel-thrown, hand and slab-built pottery, using food and microwave-safe glazes, and firing in gas and electric kilns. Dot also makes Raku pottery in small-batch firings.
Dot says, “I’m so honored and excited to be recognized for doing what we love to do and to be able to share my claywork with others. I’ve been making pottery practically all my life, since high school, and we still love making it.”
“The Illinois Made program and its recognition of small businesses throughout the state is vital to our visitor economy and authentic experiences,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “QC, That’s Where our Quad Cities small businesses make us stand out and define our regional destination’s story. We are incredibly proud of Dot’s Pots for being recognized by Illinois Made and are grateful for all they do for the community.”
The new Makers include the following businesses, broken down by region:
Northwest & Southwest Illinois (Great Rivers Country)
Dot’s Pots – Moline
My Just Desserts – Alton
Thyme Square Bakery – Quincy
Water Sweets Soap Company – Edwardsville
