Business Notebook: Brothers open auto repair shop in Rock Falls

ROCK FALLS – Sauk Valley natives and longtime local auto repair jocks Lonnie Bresley and his brother, Donald, have opened their own shop.

Lonnie's Affordable Auto Repair opened Dec. 1 at 2102 E. Route 30 in Rock Falls.

They offer all-around mechanical repairs – motor swaps, transmission exchanges, electrical work, you name it.

"I do it all. There ain't much I won't do," Lonnie said, adding that he prides himself on his reasonable rates and honest business dealings. He also guarantees his work.

It's a small family business – just Don, Lonnie and Lonnie's wife, Stephanie, all of Sterling.

Lonnie, 38, had a shop for a short time before this at 1601 W. Third St., and he and Don, 47, worked nearly two decades for Midas Muffler in Sterling. But they've always wanted to open a shop together, Lonnie said.

Lonnie's Affordable Auto Repair is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 815-213-7113 or 815-441-7572 for more information.

New boutique in Dixon's downtown

DIXON – "A great place for unique gifts!" That's the slogan of one of Dixon's newest businesses, Roxie's Boutique.

Roxie's offers works by local artisans, home décor items, furniture, handmade bath and body products, clothing, jewelry, accessories and more. To make the shopping experience even sweeter, owner Amy Fenwick also sells old-fashioned soda, candy and popcorn.

Retail is in her blood. In April, Fenwick, 29, moved from California, where she was in retail management, back to Dixon, where her mom, Peggy Fenwick, ran Quality Resale for about a decade. Amy opened Roxie's, her own very first shop, at 302 W. First St. on Sept. 27.

Roxie's Boutique is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, You can find it on Facebook, or contact Fenwick at roxiesthriftique@gmail.com or 815-288-1886.

Lee County farmer wins money for FFA

FRANKLIN GROVE – Ashton-Franklin Center FFA recently received a check for $2,500, thanks to Lee County farmer Angie Shrimplin and Monsanto.

Shrimplin was the Lee County winner in the America's Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the agriculture company. The program is designed to work with farmers to support work done by nonprofit organizations in rural communities.

The money is given to the winners' nonprofit of choice. Shrimplin and a Monsanto representative were at the high school for a check presentation ceremony Wednesday afternoon. The ceremony was part of the school's FFA Week celebration.

The Shrimplins live just outside Franklin Grove. Angie also is the owner of Flowers in the Grove, a Franklin Grove florist.