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January 6, 2021

Sticking to It: ButtonMakers Celebrates 20 Years of Business

ButtonMakers.net is proud to announce its 20th year of business, January 15, serving the button-making needs of thousands of happy customers since the company’s inception in 2001.

ButtonMakers.net is a woman-owned and union business located on Cherokee Street in South Saint Louis, serving the St. Louis area and nationally online. From fundraisers to takeaways, conventions, schools, and corporate events, ButtonMakers.net continues its tradition of creating the perfect buttons to meet the unique needs of all its customers.

Rebecca Bolte, owner of ButtonMakers.net, known affectionately by her friends, co-workers and customers as Becky Buttons, said making buttons is her passion, and she’s proud to have been making exclusive and special buttons for her customers for two decades running.

“I love what I do because I am helping people make their ideas real in the world,” said Bolte, who got idea for ButtonMakers.net in 2001 when she was doing screen printing and CD duplication for her friend’s record label. “They asked me if I could make buttons, and I quickly learned there was no online button making company out there at all. So, I searched the patent office to find a button machine manufacturer, and I was able to get ahold of a button making machine and supplies and finally make the buttons. It was then I thought that since there were no websites retailing button machines, I should start one,” she said.

Her business started off with a small section of machines and supplies on her then punk rock merch website. Everything sold out quickly, so Bolte decided to launch ButtonMakers.net with custom buttons, button machines, and supplies becoming the primary focus of the site.

“We have worked with schools, churches, non-profits, and political campaigns. We worked with local activists on the Obama campaign, and in 2012 we were hired to work the Democratic National Convention. We made 10,000+ buttons for convention goers in one day!” she said.

Bolte faced numerous challenges throughout the years while keeping her company alive, from learning how to run a company as a first-time business owner, to cheap competition from abroad. “As a small business owner running an e-commerce site, I had to learn to do everything myself. So much programming, and marketing, and all the things that go with running a business,” she said. “We also rarely had a budget to hire help. At one point, internet technology started changing and our domain authority started dropping. We were so busy running the day-to-day to keep up when new competitors came on the scene."


Much of that competition came from a flood of imitation button makers based out of China. “They were priced lower than anything we could compete with!” Bolte said. “But as with most bootleg products, the quality of the knock offs isn’t as good as the real thing. Our products are unique and of the highest quality.”

Along with an unmatched standard of quality button products, ButtonMakers.net, is a company focused on its customers, employees, and its community. A combination that would be very hard for any knock-off button maker company compete with.

“We built our company on a strong foundation of customer service, workplace ethics, and community engagement,” said Bolte. “We host button making parties for organizations and campaigns we believe in, work with area youth programs, and are union members of Communication Workers of America Local 6300. We take excellent care of our customers and stand behind our products.”

As a way for Bolte to share her passion of button making with others, ButtonMakers.net, continues to offer high quality button making equipment for customers to make their own unique button creations, including button machines, all-in-one kits, paper cutters, button supplies, magnets, and parts.

The company is the exclusive supplier of the MultiMaker 4000, the only multi-size button machine available on the market that is fully compatible with all U.S. standard buttons. It can also make magnets, key chains, mirrors, and more.

“Whether it’s a teacher engaging their students in their classroom with a hands-on, DIY button making project, or parents and their children spending quality time together making photo buttons of their favorite movie characters, button making is engaging, affordable and so much fun,” said Bolte. “Buttons are the perfect way to make your message, and when you have your own button making machine, the possibilities are endless. People use buttons for awareness campaigns, activism, and social
change."

Regardless of the challenges over the past two decades, and recently with the COVID-19 pandemic, the company ButtonMakers.net, like the buttons it creates, has stuck around to assist you with all of your button-making needs and help communicate your message. “Whether you choose us to
make your buttons for you or DIY your own buttons, we are here for you!” said Bolte.

Visit www.buttonmakers.net or call (314) 329-7088 for more information and to learn how Becky Buttons can help you build your very own unique and exclusive button creations.

June 17, 2020

Call for Artists: Public Art Opportunities on Cherokee

To support artists in our local community and to further add to the arts landscape on our street, the newly-formed Cherokee CID Arts Committee is issuing a call for artists to submit proposals for two funded public art projects to be installed this year.

Read more

June 16, 2020

Black Lives Matter.

Statement from the board of directors of the Cherokee Street Community Improvement District.
Black lives matter. Racism and white supremacy have no place on Cherokee Street.
While obvious to some, these statements bear repeating.

Read more

April 23, 2020

Join the Party with #CincoAtHome

While the Cherokee St. Cinco de Mayo festival won't be in the streets this May, we're here to bring you the next best thing: Cinco de Mayo at Home.

We're spreading joy, not germs - and raising funds for the Show Up for Cherokee Street campaign, benefiting Cherokee Street small businesses & employees that are out of work due to COVID19.

Enjoy the virtual festival from the comfort of your very own lazyboy via Facebook Live at noon on Saturday May 2nd.

Want to make it on the big screen?

If you're a Cherokee Street Cinco de Mayo vendor, performer, partner, or local business and want to participate, reach out to Emily at info@cherokeestreet.com

March 17, 2020

Statement regarding Cinco de Mayo 2020 on Cherokee Street

Statement from the 2020 Cinco de Mayo STL Organizers:

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Cinco de Mayo festival on Cherokee Street will not be taking place on Saturday May 2nd. 

Festival organizers have been monitoring the public health crisis closely and have been in conversation with the City. Given their restrictions on issuing festival permits at this time and the  CDC requirements limiting gatherings for the next eight weeks, it is no longer possible to move forward organizing a festival of this scale for May. 

We know that this festival is a huge lifeline for many on our street. Our street hosts this festival each year first and foremost to celebrate and support Cherokee Street’s Hispanic and small business community and no virus will stop us from rallying for that community. 

During the coming weeks, please do whatever you can to support the people and places on our street that are already feeling the pain from this crisis. Order take out. Buy a gift certificate. Check in with your neighbors, your favorite bartender or musician. 

As this crisis passes, we hope to channel our festival plans into other dates and formats to support and celebrate Cherokee Street. Stay tuned for more info and please join us when we do get together. We all will need it.

Please forward any questions to info@cincodemayostl.com

March 17, 2020

How to Support Cherokee Street’s Small Business Community during the COVID-19 Outbreak

As you practice social distancing in the coming weeks, there are still ways we can all show up for Cherokee Street's small business community - which is already feeling the effects of this public health crisis. 

Order Cherokee Street Take-Out or Delivery

A number of restaurants have begun offering pick up or delivery service . If you're able, please consider ordering from one of the establishments listed below. We will be sharing business updates about availability on our Instagram account as things evolve. 

Support a Small Business by Buying a Gift Card

Help your favorite store weather this downtime by buying a gift card or gift certificate to use at a later date. Check the Cherokee Street Directory and give your favorite business a call to see what gift card options they have available or purchase digital gift cards online offered by a few businesses, including STL Style, Golden Gems, Earthbound Beer, Mud House, Teatopia, Flowers and Weeds, Morning Glory Diner, Green Earth Art & Kalbi Taco Shack. (If your Cherokee St. business has gift cards available for purchase online, let us know!)

Contribute to a Relief Fund for Service Industry Employees or Artists and Musicians

A number of kind souls have started or expanded relief funds for bartenders, servers, artists, musicians and many others that will be struggling to make ends meet over the coming weeks. Consider contributing if you're able, or consider applying for support, if you're in need.

We will be updating this page with new information as we have it.

Please pass along resources to share, business updates, or ideas for collaboration in support of Cherokee Street to: emily@cherokeestreet.com

February 27, 2020

Wanted: Landscapers for Cherokee Street

Help Cherokee Street stay green and clean!

The Cherokee CID is requesting proposals for seasonal landscaping maintenance, tree care and landscape design for our district, which spans Cherokee Street between Gravois and Indiana.

Services include: weeding hard surfaces in the district, watering planters and small trees, fall leaf clean up and trimming trees.

In addition, the CID is looking to work with a creative landscape designer to create a vision for the public green spaces on the street, including but not limited to corner planters, trees and tree lawns. We're particularly excited about collaborating with individuals or agencies with experience designing sustainable landscapes, edible landscaping and/or permaculture.

Interested parties can bid on one or multiple services listed.  Learn more about the services we're seeking in the RFP:
Cherokee CID Landscaper RFP

Proposal deadline is Friday March 20th! If you have questions, pass them along to info@cherokeestreet.com!

February 26, 2020

Welcome, Love Goddess Healing!

Introducing Cherokee Street's newest business, Love Goddess Healing. Owned by Brittany Morris, the new shop offers candles, crystals and healing tools in addition to tarot card readings, meditation and spiritual guidance.

According to their website, "Love Goddess Healing was established in 2017 on the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. From opening day we have been dedicated to bringing only the best selection and quality of healing products and services to our clients. We offer a variety of spiritual advising services, healing services and products, including our top selling "Love Goddess Chakra Healing Candle"."

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8cdKwMJMiJ/

Love Goddess Healing officially opened on Saturday February 8th at 2839 Cherokee, next to Diana's Bakery. Stop by and say hello Tuesday - Thursday: 11- 7pm, Friday & Saturday: 11 - 8pm, or Sunday & Monday: 12 - 6pm.

Check out their website at www.lovegoddesshealing.org
Or follow along with them on social media.
Instagram: @3lovegoddess
Facebook: Love Goddess Healing Oasis

Find other great Cherokee Street businesses in our Business Directory >>

November 15, 2019

Cherokee Street Thanksgiving Returns!

Join your fellow Cherokee Street family and friends for the 7th Annual Cherokee Street Thanksgiving Potluck, on Tuesday November 26th, from 6 to 10 PM at 2720 Cherokee Street.

Bring your favorite side dish, main course, dessert, or drink to share with friends and neighbors.

Cherokee Street Thanksgiving has grown from a small potluck of 40 when it started, to a massive free community potluck where hundreds of members of the Cherokee Street community (residents, businesses, employees, friends, fans) are invited to come together to eat, drink and celebrate.

If your business can contribute a Thanksgiving staple, please fill out this short form (https://forms.gle/ujRZxcPRvW2FZPYA9).

We’re also seeking volunteers! Want to cook a turkey or take a shift bartending? Decorate a table or coordinate setup? We’ll need help the day of the event as well as the days before for food prep and the day after for cleanup. Let us know if you can help by posting here, filling out this short form: https://forms.gle/ujRZxcPRvW2FZPYA9

October 30, 2019

Sign Up Today for Print Bazaar on Cherokee St.

Cherokee Print Bazaar showcases 100+ artists from the St. Louis area, featuring everything from posters, cards, ornaments, hand-bound journals, comic books and fabrics, to handcrafted jewelry, clothes, sculpture and other designs.

Calling All Artists!

Register for a table of your own, located in a unique Cherokee Street venue, or split a table with a friend. Student rates are also available! 

Artist registration is open until Friday November 15th.

Host Artists In Your Shop

Any Cherokee St. business is welcome to sign up to host artists in your shop, bar, gallery or venue! Hosting is free and fun!

Sign up to be a Print Bazaar venue!

Spread the Word!

To get the word out about Cherokee Print Bazaar, we need your help!

Share the Cherokee Print Bazaar Facebook event with every friend and family you have!

Have a Question?

Cherokee Street guru Shaheera Bhutto is coordinating the details for Print Bazaar 2019. Reach out to Shaheera with any questions!

Got a question, want to get involved or just want to reach out?

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Cherokee Street
Community Improvement District

Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved

3407 S. Jefferson, Suite 515
St. Louis, MO 63118

Cherokee Street
Community Improvement District

Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved

3407 S. Jefferson, Suite 515
St. Louis, MO 63118

Cherokee Street
Community Improvement District

Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved

3407 S. Jefferson, Suite 515
St. Louis, MO 63118

Cherokee Street
Community Improvement District

Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved

3407 S. Jefferson, Suite 515
St. Louis, MO 63118

Cherokee Street
Community Improvement District

Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved

3407 S. Jefferson, Suite 515
St. Louis, MO 63118

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