Brandon Clark

5 days ago | shawlocal.com | Brandon Clark

STERLING – With the Fourth of July holiday around the corner, there are plenty of ways to celebrate throughout the Sauk Valley. From live music and food vendors to car shows and carnivals, here is a list of local places to bring in the holiday:The Sterling/Rock Falls Jaycee’s fireworks display ignites at dusk (about 9:30 p.m.) Thursday, July 3. The Rock Falls Tourism group will kick off the day with its Eats ‘N’ Beats @ the District event from 4 to 10:30 p.m. at the RB&W District Park, 229 E.

6 days ago | yahoo.com | Brandon Clark

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.

6 days ago | shawlocal.com | Brandon Clark

STERLING — With a fierce spirit guiding her hand at the helm, Crystal Boehm has officially dropped anchor in Sterling with Pirate Mom Soapworks, her handcrafted soap and skincare business now located in the Shoppes at Grandon Plaza. “There’s two parts to it,” Boehm said of her shop’s name. “I have five boys at home, and none of them have the same personality. The joke with all of our friends, because they are such strong-spirited kids, is that they are the five little pirates.

6 days ago | shawlocal.com | Brandon Clark

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.

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Brandon Clark

STERLING – In a quiet storefront tucked within the Shoppes At Grandon Plaza retail business incubator in Sterling, Erica Leigh Bentz is reimagining the life cycle of everyday goods. “I love taking something old and discarded and making it into something new that people can use and love,” Bentz said. What started as a simple desire to avoid disposable Christmas wrapping paper has become Leigh Alan Designs, an enterprise founded on reuse and resourcefulness.