A pair of bedrock Quad Cities companies – Boetje’s Foods and Dot’s Pots – were back in the spotlight last week as Visit Quad Cities celebrated their addition to the Illinois Office of Tourism’s Top Illinois Makers of 2022 list.
On Friday, Feb. 10, the region’s destination marketing organization focused its attention on the craftsmanship of Moline-based Dot’s Pot’s owners Dorothy “Dot” Beach-Lawrence and her husband Dan Lawrence.
This pair of talented potters create wheel-thrown, hand and slab-built pottery, using food and microwave-safe glazes, and firing in gas and electric kilns. Ms. Beach-Lawrence also makes Raku pottery in small-batch firings and the pair sell those and other wares in a charming gift shop nestled in a house at 2822 16th St.
“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,” Ms. Beach-Lawrence said in a news release. “I’ve been making pottery practically all my life, since high school, and we still love making it.”
Dot’s Pots and Boetje’s are the most recent Quad Cities inductees into the Illinois makers program. They join Lagomarcino’s, Navarro Canoe and Wild Cherry Spoon Co.
“The Illinois Made program and its recognition of small businesses throughout the state is vital to our visitor economy and authentic experiences,” Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Herrell said in the release. “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 Illinois Made program is part of the state’s efforts to highlight small businesses as a visitor attraction in and of themselves, to celebrate its diverse communities, and to boost tourism activity to support local economies statewide. To learn more, visit: EnjoyIllinois.com/IllinoisMade.
In November, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the inclusion of Dot’s Pots and Boeje’s on the list of small businesses the program says exemplify the hidden gems, experiences and one-of-a-kind products that make Illinois a great place to explore for residents and visitors alike.
“Our family is so honored by this award,” Boetje’s owner Will Kropp said then. “Our mustard is handcrafted and uses the original recipe that was created back in 1889 right here in Rock Island.”
The two small, locally-owned businesses were among 12 companies from what the tourism group calls Great Rivers Country (Northwest and Southwest Illinois) region to make the latest Illinois Makers list. The rest came from regions identified as Chicago & Beyond; Trails to Adventure (Southern Illinois); and Land of Lincoln (Central Illinois).
“We are thrilled that Boetje’s Mustard is part of the 2022 Illinois Makers Class,” Mr. Herrell said in November. “The Illinois Made program showcases the very best of unique and diverse small businesses that help tell the great story of Illinois and add to our destination’s authenticity and visitor experience.”
He added: “Quad Citizens are extremely proud of Boetje’s and their products. We are grateful to the Illinois Office of Tourism for recognizing what we all know – Boetje’s makes the world’s best gourmet stone ground mustard.”
This 2022 Illinois Makers class represents the most diverse since the program’s inception, with more than 60% of them owned by women or people of color, the governor said in November.
The program, which was launched in 2016, currently features 236 Illinois Makers who are promoted by the Illinois Office of Tourism through their inclusion in road trip itineraries, the biannual Enjoy Illinois travel magazine, events and seasonal campaigns.
The Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT) encourages residents to nominate businesses for the Illinois Made program; Nominate a local business here. To learn more about the Illinois Made Program, which features the slogan “It’s handmade, homemade and locally made. It’s Illinois Made” visit EnjoyIllinois.com/IllinoisMade.
