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A Spicy Brown Mustard Factory & Fanciful Pottery Shop Attract Tourists

WVIK, Quad Cities NPR | By Michelle O'Neill
Published February 10, 2023 at 5:34 PM CST
Four varieties of Boetje's mustard and an example of a unique creation from Dot's Pots
Boetje's Foods, Dot's Pots (Facebook pages)
Four varieties of Boetje's mustard and an example of a unique creation from Dot's Pots

Two Quad Cities businesses - known for brown mustard and whimsical pottery - are now part of a state tourism program.

On Friday, the Illinois Office of Tourism presented Illinois Made awards to Boetje's Foods of Rock Island and Dot's Pots of Moline.

"Dot" Dorothy Beach (L), Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, and Pres/CEO Visit Quad Cities Dave Herrell (R)
Visit Quad Cities
"Dot" Dorothy Beach (L), Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, and Pres/CEO Visit Quad Cities Dave Herrell (R)

Dave Herrell, President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, says family-owned Boetje's is an award-winning, internationally known company.

Dot's Pots is not only famous for fine pottery, but also for cross-eyed moose, crazy critters, and "road-kill" Christmas ornaments.

Herrell says the Illinois Made program now features over 200 makers from all over the state.

Three Quad Cities businesses were honored in 2016, the first year of the program: Boetje's, Navarro Canoe, and Lagomarcino's. Wild Cherry Spoon Company is also a featured, Illinois Made business.

Illinois Made promotes small businesses to attract visitors and boost the economies of cities and towns. More information is HERE.

By the way, to pronounce Boetje's, just say "boat cheese."

Dorothy Beach and her partner, Dan, in their Moline workshop
Dot's Pots (Facebook page)
Dorothy Beach and her partner, Dan, in their Moline workshop
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News Boetje's MustardDot's PotsIllinois Office of Tourismsmall businessDave HerrellVisit Quad Cities
Michelle O'Neill
Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
See stories by Michelle O'Neill
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