November’s small business fuels a dream and the community

 

“Owning my own restaurant has always been my dream.” Bluff City Grill Owner Cathy Ponder shares this driving passion as the RiverBend Growth Association recognizes her venue as its November 2024 Small Business of the Month award recipient.

Bluff City Grill, at 424 E. Broadway in Alton, has been in business for 11 years. It hosts about 70 employees currently while also serving as the on-site host for countless community support efforts over the years.

“I am a member of the ILBA, RBGA and MM4PD,” Ponder notes. “I am involved with several school fundraisers to help raise funds for extracurricular activities and events. In addition, I make donations to other fundraisers within the community, such as supporting the Boys & Girls Club, various food and clothing drives, and more. I also have participated in charity dine-in nights to help community members in need.”

Ponder says she was working in the industry that was fast-paced and unpredictable – an industry that always keeps you on your toes — and “loved it.”

Owning her own restaurant was her dream. “I achieved my goal by following my heart, working hard and keeping an open mind. I was born and raised in the area I knew I wanted to invest in. Somewhere that I took pride in and wanted to do something to help it grow to be something so much more,” Ponder further shares.

“I am proud to have been able to provide new experiences and opportunities to my hometown. I only hope in the years to come that I can continue to assist Alton in making it a better place,” she adds.

In the past five years, Bluff City Grill has welcomed several additions to its business. Much of those came with accommodating guidelines set forth during the Covid 19 pandemic. An outdoor patio seating area has been added, and equipment has been upgraded. Further, the banquet hall has had significant renovation, with new flooring, paint, dance floor and bridal suite upgrades.

Staff has also been expanded to keep up with the growth of the business, creating multiple new job opportunities for those in the community. All of Bluff City Grill’s staff have been through food sanitation classes. The serving staff are further trained through Basset classes. Managers have also received their Manager’s Food Certifications.

When asked about opportunities and challenges her restaurant has faced, Ponder says, “I think my greatest opportunities have been to give back to the community and to meet new members of the community. To provide them with an establishment that they want to come back to again and again.

“What’s nice about our community is that, in the restaurant industry, I do not see the other restaurants in the area as competition. Instead, we all work together and help each other when needed. All the area restaurants have their own specific strengths, which also gives our community a wide variety of options,” she adds.

“I try not to focus on the hardships of the business. I focus on moving forward and learning from mistakes,” Ponder notes as a strength that sets her apart.

For more information about Bluff City Grill, visit online at www.bluffcitygrillalton.com or call (618) 433-8288. You can also follow them on Facebook, @BluffCityGrill.

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 the Growth Association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call (618) 467-2280.

RBGA’s Small Business of the Month Committee recognizes a different member business each month for its outstanding efforts and leadership in the community. Committee members include Brenda Eardley, Vicki Hake, Vickie Hopkins, Amy Roady, Martha Schultz and Alexis Weller.

To learn more about membership in the RiverBend Growth Association and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call their Godfrey office.

Photos provided by the RiverBend Growth Association.