As we move into spring and summer, my goal is to add a few twists on the dining articles I share. From time to time I will share an article about various cottage bakers, farmers, caterers, or other food-related businesses that aren’t necessarily a restaurant, but are still important to our community.
To kick off this new twist, I’m sharing about a local shop in Pacific called Mushroom Dave’s. Here you will find a wide variety of nourishing, locally sourced food, from Amish grown produce, to farm fresh eggs, local meat, dairy, and other goods, like honey, condiments, and snacks. As the name suggests, the establishment also sells a wide selection of mushrooms, which are grown by the proprietor himself.
Mushroom Dave’s is also a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and offers weekly groceries to customers in a subscription style format, and CSA customers can choose what type of box they want to purchase depending on their household and lifestyle.
The storefront of Mushroom Dave’s in Pacific. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
In addition to being a grocery store and local CSA, Mushroom Dave’s has an onsite commercial kitchen where the staff prepares and serves a small food menu featuring offerings like breakfast sandwiches, and lunch choices including flatbreads and sliders. There’s a seating area inside the store for guests to dine in, or you can opt to take your food to go.
Don’t just take my word for, visit Mushroom Dave’s Facebook page to learn more, or stop in the shop the next time you’re in Pacific.
Have breakfast with the Easter bunny, try your hand at wine bingo, or hear live music performed by local bands, plus more events happening around Franklin County this week.
Wednesday, April 16 Take a rejuvenating break in the middle of the work day with a floating nidra yoga session at Present Moment Yoga in Washington. Attendees will rest in the trapeze while being guided through a meditation. The class is limited to six attendees. Learn more and get the ticket link.
Thursday, April 17 Break up the week with a round of wine bingo at Triple 3 Vineyard in Washington. There’s no need to register for the event, just grab your friends and head to the winery for some fun. Learn more.
Friday, April 18 The Jaycee Pavilion in Union will host breakfast with the Easter Bunny at 9 a.m. and an egg hunt to follow immediately after at 9:45am. Have breakfast and get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Please bring your own camera and basket. Egg hunt is for children ages 1 to 7 years old. Get the details.
Photo via Union Parks & Recreation Department’s Facebook page.
Friday, April 18 Stop by Blondie’s Breezeway in St. Clair for live music on the patio, performed by Danny & Lloyd. Blondie’s Breezeway serves food and cocktails, and often shares its menu specials on its Facebook page. Visit their Facebook page to find out more.
Friday, April 18 Soul Refresh, a new health, wellness, and beauty-based business located in downtown Washington, is having a two-day grand opening celebration. There will be discounts and door prizes, including free sessions. Find out more.
Saturday, April 19 Day two of Soul Refresh’s two-day grand opening celebration continues with discounts and door prizes, including free sessions. Find out more.
Saturday, April 19 Main Street in Sullivan will be filled with a variety of merchants, vendors, and food.. This will be the first flea market of the year, and the event will run from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Get all the details.
Saturday, April 19 Head to N-Sports Rec Center in Washington for crafts and a photo with the Easter bunny from 1 – 3 p.m. Learn more.
Saturday, April 19 First Baptist Church in Sullivan is hosting an Easter Egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. The fun is taking place behind the church at the elementary school. Find out more at the Facebook event.
Saturday, April 19 Barbecue and music just go together! Stop by Brown Jerry’s Blues, Brews, & Barbecue in Pacific to hear Jeremiah Johnson perform live, beginning at 7 p.m. Learn more at the Facebook event.
Easter is getting closer and there’s lots of egg hunts happening throughout Franklin County. There’s also a trail run, karaoke, and even an Easter event for dogs! Check out all that’s going on this week.
Tuesday, April 8 Bad Beats Dance Class is a fun way to get fit. This hour-long class will feature a blend of music genres and decades such as music from the 90s to present day, with dance moves that encompass Latin, jive, country, hip-hop, and more. Register for the class at badbeatsdf.com
Wednesday, April 9 Every Wednesday is Karaoke Night at The Tipsy Keg. Belt out your favorite song, enjoy flash sales and drinks specials, plus happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Kitchen is open until 9pm! Find out more.
Thursday,April 10 Head to the St. Clair Elks Lodge for an Artmazing Paint Nite event, open to teens and up. Unleash your inner artist to create your very own Celtic Trinity Tree. The process will be guided by talented instructor Diana. Enjoy beverages and limited bar food, available separately for cash purchase. Get all the details, plus the ticket link.
Friday, April 11 Take a break from dyeing eggs and stuffing baskets with candy to join First Christian Church of Washington for an unforgettable Easter experience complete with fun, games, and music! Easter Jam is a FREE, fun, memorable, family-centered celebration around the Easter story. Learn more and register.
Friday, April 11 Get ready for an egg-citing evening of adventure at the Teen Easter Egg Hunt at Pacific City Park. Round up your friends and head to the park for an after-dark egg hunt where you’ll have the chance to win awesome prizes! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time hunter, this event is guaranteed to be a blast. Tickets are $10. Get more details and the ticket link at this Facebook event.
Friday, April 11 Belt out your favorite tunes at Sip on Main’s karaoke night. The fun is going down at the establishment’s event room. Find out more by visiting the bar’s Facebook page.
Friday, April 11 The Legacy Leadership Foundation will host its annual prom event at The Historic John B. Busch Brewery Event Center. This celebration is for area homeschool high school students, as well as their parents. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m. After dinner, there will be dancing and the event will have a DJ, a photo booth, and snacks. At 9:30 p.m., Seniors will be honored and have their senior/parent dance. Find out more and get the ticket link.
Saturday, April 12 Keep the trail miles rolling in 2025 with your choice of a 10k or 20k Trail Run through one of eastern Missouri’s most beautiful locales, the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. The 10k loop course features a little bit of everything trail running has to offer: from grass meadows to gravel hiking paths, rocky single-track to dirt roads, steep cliffs to rolling hills, and even a boardwalk above a lily-filled lake! Tackle it twice if you feel like doing the 20k! Find out more and purchase tickets.
Saturday, April 12 This Easter Egg Hunt is free and welcome to all without registration. For children ages 1-10. Hunt begins at 9 a.m. sharp. The hunt takes place on the midway soccer field at the Fairgrounds in Washington. Parking is in front of the Amphitheater. Eggs will be hidden in the field and children will be grouped according to age. Don’t forget to bring your baskets! Learn more.
Saturday, April 12 Sisterchicks Flowers featuring Goddess Gowns invites you to customize your own unique corsage, boutonniere, or bouquet to make prom night even more unforgettable! Attendees can enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments as designers guide you through pre-ordering the PERFECT prom accessory. Learn more.
Saturday, April 12 Franklin County Sports Club (FCSC) is excited to host its first-ever Open House at the Union Library! This is a special event to bring our community together and introduce its board of directors, coaches, and club leadership. Learn about FCSC’s mission, vision, and values, discover its goals for growing soccer in Franklin County, get details on sponsorship opportunities and how you can support our young athletes, hear all about the June tryouts and plans to kick off the inaugural season in August 2025. Get more details.
Saturday, April 12 The City of St. Clair is hosting a community Easter Egg Hunt at Orchard Park. The hunt begins at 11 a.m. There will be complimentary water, hot dogs, and chips donated by First Baptist St. Clair, while supplies last. Find out more by visiting this Facebook post.
Saturday, April 12 Come visit with the Easter Bunny then hunt over 6,000 eggs at the Harney Mansion in Sullivan. This free event starts promptly at 11 a.m. Age divisions are 1-3, 4-7 & 8-12. Adults can only assist in the 1-3 division. Get more details at the Facebook event.
Saturday, April 12 New Haven’s annual short film festival is happening at The Walt. Attendees will watch a series of short films throughout the festival and then the audience will vote for their favorite films once all films have been viewed. Concessions and drinks are available for purchase at event. Downtown New Haven offers several local places to eat and drink before or after the film fest. Purchase tickets.
Sunday, April 13 This ticketed Easter event includes dog treat filled eggs scattered around 3 yards for your hound to track down! Bring your pups dressed in their best Easter outfits! There will be an egg hunt, photos with the Easter bunny, and a booth with Puppy Pals Pet Shop set up with goodies, treats, and Easter pet wear. Find out more and get the ticket link.
Here’s what’s happening around Franklin County this week. With the nicer weather here, there are more events happening throughout the area. If you want to plan ahead, you can always visit the calendar on the website to see what’s coming up.
April 1 The St. Clair Branch of Scenic Regional Library is hosting an event to teach you how to Charleston. Register for the event here.
April 1 Bad Beats Dance Class is a fun way to get fit. This hour-long class will feature a blend of music genres and decades such as music from the 90s to present day, with dance moves that encompass Latin, jive, country, hip-hop, and more. Register for the class at badbeatsdf.com
April 2 Purchase tickets for Brushin’ Whimsy’s paint event at Sip on Main and choose to paint a spring cactus or mushroom gnome. Guests of the event will receive $5 off food or drink purchased during the event. Register here.
April 3 Head to Marquart’s Landing in Washington for a night of creativity and fun with Artmazing Event Co! Get ready to unleash your inner artist as we guide you step-by-step through creating a beautiful spring painting. No art experience is necessary. All the materials and instruction will be provided so you can create your colorful masterpiece. Food and drinks are purchased separately. Sign up at the link at this Facebook event.
April 4 The Washington Public Library will host a teen egg hunt. The library will be dark and the hidden eggs will be full of candy. Find the glitter egg to receive a special prize. Attendees should bring a flashlight. The event is for ages 12 & up. Learn more.
April 4 Belt out your favorite tunes at Sip on Main’s karaoke night. The fun is going down on three different nights in April at the establishment’s event room. Find out more by visiting the bar’s Facebook page.
April 5 Ladies, Littles, & Lattes is celebrating its second year with a bash that includes Easter bunny photos, food trucks, horse rides, and other fun activities. Get all the details.
Photo via Hoppin’ Into Year Two’s Facebook Event.
April 5 Attend the black light bingo night, which is a Charity Bingo event benefitting The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation at Union City Auditorium. Purchase individual or per table tickets here.
April 5 Attend the Liberty Hall Vendor Fair to find things that are handmade, holistic and other one-of-a-kind items. The vendor fair is from 11 – 3 both Saturday and Sunday. Get more details.
April 6 Attend the Liberty Hall Vendor Fair to find things that are handmade, holistic and other one-of-a-kind items. The vendor fair is from 11 – 3 both Saturday and Sunday. Get more details.
April 6 Visit the American Legion Auxiliary in Union for their Spring Fling Vendor & Craft Fair! This event will feature food trucks and food vendors, as well as local crafters and vendors. Find out more.
April 6 Originally scheduled for March 30, Kaleidoscope Consignment’s first farmer’s market and craft fair of the year was rescheduled due to weather. Find items from local artisans and crafters like local honey, handmade jewelry, Scentsy, delicious food, sourdough baked goods, and more. Get more details.
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