J. Spence Properties, LLC

08/29/2026

Captain Concrete to the rescue! Another item checked off the list. Thanks Shawn Spence!

08/28/2026

Anyone interested in a new patio table with four chairs? I am selling it and here is the story. A very kind and generous Carterville native bought this for me to use at my building where a restaurant and coffee shop are located. I didn’t take it out of the box, because with a glass top, fabric chairs and size, it just isn’t the best for commercial environment and it doesn’t match the other tables. We can’t return it without paying shipping that cost more than the table.

The donor told me keep it. But I would rather sell it and use her donation for its original purpose.

So…your purchase would go towards me buying another table in its place and keeping her generosity to the purpose she intended.

You can see the price in the photo. Make me an offer and remember it goes to extra seating for a downtown business. 😉. I would love to get it out of my car after driving to Staples twice thinking that I could return it. ;)

08/21/2026

I am looking for two or three patio tables and chairs, same or similar to this photo. I don’t mind if they require painting. They are for my building which houses Velvet Moon Coffee and The Hidden Kitchen. Looking for bargain or good price and not 100 miles away. I have been watching Marketplace and auctions, but you never know until you ask. This will be a big help ongoing, but especially for upcoming class reunion and football game nights.

08/16/2026

Sometimes your energy can get drained when you focus on what lies ahead (cleaning the rest of the brick on this wall,
for example) vs. how far you’ve come (finished cleaning the other brick wall, demo, new plumbing started, etc.). Whatever it is…just keep going. 🙌🏻

08/10/2026

Extending the concrete floor in the back, so carpenters took out part of the wall and got things formed up. Eventually, the entire floor in this building will be level with the concrete in the back.

It has been a challenging week, but glad those hurdles are past me, so I can face those ahead.

08/01/2026

Finally made some plumbing progress for two new bathrooms, kitchen sink, mop sink and drain for small ice machine. Shawn Spence, put me on your concrete list.

07/29/2026

Making progress. Cleaning brick, scrubbing each one. This wall had layers of paneling, then plaster with horsehair that had to be removed with hammer drill. Then removed the yucky orange brick that filled the windows (will do something cool in that space later.). There is a section over door that I did not clean, because a wall will be built here from floor to ceiling. Next stop is work on other wall, and also wipe this wall down one more time, then seal. Not before a brick mason repairs a few spots, unless I end up it doing myself.

07/17/2026

What a nice article by Southern Illinois Now. They hit the nail on the head with mention that the focus was to create a community gathering space and the importance in investments of our downtown district. Come hungry, The Hidden Kitchen is ready to serve you.

A new restaurant is always exciting, but today's grand opening of The Hidden Kitchen in downtown Carterville was about so much more than great food.

It's the latest chapter in a vision that began with Jennifer Spence's investment in restoring a historic downtown building, creating a destination that now includes both Velvet Moon Coffee Shop & Events and The Hidden Kitchen. Together, these locally owned businesses are giving people a place to gather, connect, and build community.

Congratulations to the City of Carterville, Illinois, Carterville Chamber of Commerce, J. Spence Properties, LLC, Jennifer Spence, Doug and Chandler Deaton, Tyler and Sara Newbold, and everyone who helped make this vision a reality. Stories like this remind us that when people choose to invest in their hometowns, they help shape a brighter future for all of Southern Illinois. ❤️

READ MORE --> https://southernillinoisnow.org/the-hidden-kitchen-opens-its-doors-and-opens-the-door-to-community-in-carterville/

Photo credit: Carterville Chamber of Commerce

🔗 https://thehiddenkitchen62.com/

07/17/2026

Show them some love and support and stay for lunch.

07/15/2026

Almost time!