What do you call a small Pekin business offering everything from chicken salad and pulled pork sandwiches and locally produced honey, to purses, children’s clothing, and pickles? Owner Mary Haynes calls it Maddie Mae’s, describing the offerings at her locally grown lunchroom and gift shop as “quirky.”

“We like to think of ourselves as a mini Cracker Barrel,” Mary laughs, pointing to Maddie Mae’s combination of food, a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and eclectic gift items. The establishment has been open at 522 Court St. — former home of the venerable Maurie’s Candy — for three years, but just had its official Pekin Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on April 16. Why the delay?

“We’ve been trying to figure this out,” Mary says. But she believes the current lunchtime line-up of sandwiches (chicken salad is a favorite, along with bologna salad and pulled pork), salads, and an ever-changing selection of sides (soups, fresh veggies and dip, individual cheese balls and crackers, pies, pasta salad, and more) is a winning combination.

Maddie Mae’s is a family affair. It is named for Mary’s granddaughter (who is also an employee), Madison Maelyn, who Grandma has called “Maddie Mae” since she was a baby. Mary’s daughter, Jessica, is also heavily involved in the enterprise. However, Mary confesses her other daughter, Johnica, told her mom she “doesn’t want anything to do with either business.”  Still, Mary said Johnica “is always there to support me with whatever.”

The cozy seating area accommodates just 27 patrons, creating an intimate, one-on-one dining experience. Mary also reports a brisk carryout business, and a large deli case featuring “grab and go” items like salads, fresh veggies and dip, and fresh fruit, for patrons in a hurry.

Adjacent to the lunchroom, Maddie Mae’s offers a wide array of gourmet food mixes (some are even on the menu), Kathy’s Kitchen pickles and condiments, Excalibur brand spices (made right here in Pekin), locally produced honey, kitchen items, candy, and baked goods. The “step-down room” features purses, children’s clothing, candles, handmade gifts, and a wide selection of Leanin’ Tree greeting cards.

If you have been in Pekin a few years, you know that Mary is no stranger to local retailing. She opened the Kountry Nook craft mall on Derby Street in 1999, later moving briefly to the Pekin Mall, and then to 221 N. Capital St. in 2001. She sold that business in January 2022.

She always wanted to run a small, family-friendly eatery, so the former sweet shop was renovated with a commercial kitchen, HVAC system, and other upgrades. The kitchen was finished last summer, and the lunchroom opened soon after. 

Mary is retired from a 40-plus year career in nursing, a large part of which was at Pekin Hospital. As a business leader, she said she often heard there was a lack of information about what to do in Pekin. So she started the Small Biz Pekin Facebook group to give residents and visitors a place to explore and share positive news about the community online. 

She said the group “brought us together” during COVID when businesses used the forum to keep customers informed about changing hours and special offers. 

Mary believes the Pekin business climate is “starting to pick back up,” with local entrepreneurs like herself opening businesses and “taking a chance on us.” Although she is not able to get out to talk to fellow business owners as much as she used to, she stays plenty busy and loves operating her own business, even though she is “retired.”

“Our goal has been to create a place where people can come, enjoy themselves with family members and make memories,” Mary says.

Quirky or not, Maddie Mae’s is on its way to becoming a mainstay of the bustling Court Street business corridor. Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm, with lunch served from 11am to 2pm.