15 Best Small Businesses in Kankakee, IL

Kankakee is the county seat of Kankakee County in Illinois.

This small but prosperous city is known for its rich history dating back to the mid-1800s.

Fascinatingly, this city slowly grew in the shadow of the French settlement Bourbonnais.

Kankakee then became a city and eventually became the county seat of Kankakee County.

Today, this city continues to grow and make a name in the education sector, as numerous universities, such as the Olivet Nazarene University and the Kankakee Community College, are based here.

Besides history, the city boasts well-known attractions.

These attractions include the houses owned by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the Kankakee River State Park.

Since it's only 50 miles from Chicago, Kankakee is an ideal city to settle down.

One of its major economic drivers back in the day was quarrying since the area was rich in limestone deposits.

Today, many industries are thriving in Kankakee.

These are food services, accommodation, manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and finance.

To give you a broader perspective, here are small businesses in Kankakee, Illinois.

Stefari Café

Stefari Café is a downtown staple for those who love caffeine, sweet treats, and other offerings.

Its location in the center of Kankakee downtown along Schuyler Avenue makes it the go-to place for those who want a quick grab for coffee and food.

This café, owned by a husband-and-wife, serves Kankakee locals with a coffee, dessert, breakfast, and lunch menu.

This café, inspired by a charming European setting, offers coffee lovers a worthwhile dining experience.

Besides its cozy dining setting, its specialty coffee sourced from Illinois small-batch roasters is to die for.

Since its start in 2017, Stefari Café has become a regular hangout for excellent coffee and food.

Moon Cookie Gallery

Moon Cookie Gallery is a unique and whimsical gift shop featuring novelty items.

You can visit this shop along S. Schuyler Avenue.

This gift shop is known for its wide array of novelty and colorful gift items.

These include pots, jewelry, accessories, home décor, candles, baby items, artworks, homemade skin and hair products, preserves, greeting cards, and more.

Amazingly, it helps local artists by displaying their beautiful artworks for sale, making it an exciting place to shop.

Besides its main products, this shop offers an entire line of essential oils and lip balms.

Its artist owner takes pride in her shop's unique, proudly handcrafted, and locally made offerings.

Drop by Moon Cookie Gallery for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

Busse & Rieck Flowers, Plants, and Gifts

Busse & Rieck Flowers, Plants, and Gifts is a flower shop serving many areas throughout Kankakee County.

You can visit this flower shop along W. Court Street.

It's a full-service flower shop and a florist service with a gift shop.

It specializes in floral arrangements and freshly picked flowers for sale.

This shop takes pride in its selection of freshly picked flowers sourced from local gardens throughout Illinois.

It also offers a wide array of charming gift items such as stuffed animals, scented candles, balloons, handbags, and many more unique gifts.

Whether celebrating or mourning a loss, Busse & Rieck Flowers, Plants, and Gifts should have all your floral needs.

Tiny Tap

Tiny Tap is a casual pub known for its friendliness and ice-cold draft beers.

You can visit this pub along S. West Avenue.

Many locals consider it the best bar to have fun and relax.

It has that retro tavern feel, making it a cozy place to enjoy a pint of ice-cold beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Meanwhile, it has numerous large-screen televisions where you can watch your favorite sport with fellow patrons.

Tiny Tap always has that air of familiarity and coziness prevailing in its atmosphere as one of Kankakee's longest-running watering holes.

Remember to spend your evening or happy hour at this pub.

Riverview Grocery

Riverview Grocery is a convenience store that offers an assortment of grocery items and electronic gadgets.

You can check out this store along E. River Street.

Unlike your average convenience store, this one offers many prepaid mobile phones.

Besides that, it has chargers, power banks, data plans, other electronic gadgets, and accessories.

Of course, it has a complete section of grocery items from food to essentials, snacks, fresh fruits, coffee, and other items for those in a hurry.

Overall, Riverview Grocery is ideal, especially if you want to do quick grocery shopping or resolve some phone emergency.

Isidro’s Tamales and Taqueria

Isidro's Tamales and Taqueria is a Mexican restaurant that has been serving locals for several years.

You can check out this restaurant along W. Station Street.

Like most small businesses in Kankakee, this one is family-owned and operated.

It serves its customers well-kept traditional recipes for its mouthwatering and authentic Mexican dishes.

This restaurant has been serving Kankakeeans since 2018 with its homemade recipes you can taste in its tacos, burritos, and tamales.

Most of its customers love its guacamole and its specialty, the tamales.

Some of its must-tries include carne asada, al pastor, carnitas, pollo asado, chorizo, and Pescado, which you can choose as your choice of meat for your taco and burrito.

Of course, Isidro's Tamales and Taqueria also serve non-meat options.

With all these in mind, it's one of Kankakee's most beautiful places to enjoy mouthwatering authentic Mexican food.

Model Motel

Model Motel is a bed and breakfast that offers guests a "home away from home."

You can check out its rooms along S. Washington Avenue.

It's one of the go-to accommodations for those traveling through Kankakee County Speedway.

It's the nearest place from the speedway to spend the night or the next few days.

Besides its convenient location, this motel offers guests a cozy stay with exceptional amenities.

It has air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi connectivity, vending machine, housekeeping, a microwave, a fridge, a 24-hour front desk service, a hot shower, and other amenities.

In addition, it's also nearby some of Kankakee's famous attractions.

Look no further for a cozy place to stay than the Model Motel when visiting Kankakee.

Rigo's Place

Rigo's Place is a restaurant mainly serving Italian and American dishes.

You can check out this restaurant along N. Schuyler Avenue.

This restaurant is also a local culinary gem for its excellence in serving internationally inspired dishes.

It has a welcoming, cozy, and casual dining setting.

It's an excellent place to bring your friends or family for a delicious lunch or dinner.

Most of its loyal customers love its dinner menu.

It features extensive menu items ranging from your beloved premium cut meats, fresh seafood, and mouthwatering entrees.

Some of its must-tries include its house specialty Rigo's Pasta, a pasta dish drenched in slowly simmered tomato basil sauce, or its parmesan cream sauce.

Also, remember to order its Rigo's Special, a sauteed chicken breast with a crab cake patty on top drenched in champagne sauce paired with its house mashed potatoes.

Of course, Rigo's Place has plenty more delectable menu items you can order, so remember to reserve a table at this beloved restaurant.

Jewelry Service Center

As its name indicates, Jewelry Service Center is a go-to place for many when buying, repairing, and appraising jewelry pieces in the city.

You can visit this jewelry shop inside the Meadowview Shopping Center.

Like most small businesses in Kankakee, this one is family-owned and operated, serving locals since 1985.

It offers many jewelry products, such as rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and plenty more.

At the same time, it also specializes in jewelry and watches repairs, stone setting, and ring sizing.

If you have a tight budget, the shop has an excellent selection of pre-owned luxury watches and jewelry pieces.

Check out Jewelry Service Center for your jewelry needs and wants.

A Plus Home Improvements by Tousignant Inc.

A Plus Home Improvements by Tousignant Inc. is a home improvement business known for its reliable services since 1963.

It operates in Kankakee County and neighboring Bourbonnais.

It takes pride in its reliable and diverse set of contractors with ISN certificates.

They specialize in commercial and residential home improvement services.

Some of its specialty services include window, door, and fence installations and repairs.

Also, they specialize in window, door, gutter, and downspout replacements for residential and commercial buildings.

Whenever problems arise, it has a 24/7 emergency service hotline ready to serve you.

You can also visit its office along N. East Avenue.

Contact A Plus Home Improvements by Tousignant Inc. for your home or office project.

C & L Fine Goods Boutique

C & L Fine Goods Boutique is a thrift store featuring excellent-conditioned pre-loved clothing and footwear.

You can see its display at S. Schuyler Avenue.

This is your go-to place when you're an avid shopper for thrift clothing and items.

It has an excellent display of shirts, jackets, sweaters, pants, shoes, and other apparel, mostly branded and reasonably priced.

It's one of Kankakee's local gems for these kinds of items.

Drop by C & L Fine Goods Boutique because, who knows, you might end up scoring a rare find.

Station Street Café

Station Street Café along E. Station Street is your go-to place in Kankakee for delicious quick bites.

This restaurant is known for its delicious sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, and bowls.

It has a variety of lunch items you can choose from its menu to satisfy your cravings courtesy of its owner, who serves as the restaurant's chef.

Besides its delicious food items, it aims to become a unique restaurant in the city with its trendy and fun atmosphere.

So, whenever you're in a hurry, but your stomach starts growling, head to Station Street Café to grab your meal.

Sit & Scent Candle Bar

There's a unique place to shop for scented candles in Kankakee worth checking out.

The Sit & Scent Candle Bar takes its shopping to a new level with its candle-making experience.

You can visit this place along S. Indiana Avenue.

Sit & Scent Candle Bar is the best place to buy and make scented candles in Kankakee.

It's a perfect activity for yourself or your friends or family.

It's also an excellent way to test a new hobby.

The shop provides the materials, including candle wax, fragrances, molding jar, and labels.

Head to the Sit & Scent Candle Bar to unlock your creativity in candle-making.

Blue's Café

Blue's Cafe is an eatery serving your favorite classic American comfort food.

This eaterie boasts mouthwatering menu items ranging from burgers, and fries, to homemade pies and sandwiches.

You can enjoy all these at the eatery's retro-style dining area, giving you nostalgic vibes while enjoying its food.

It's one of Kankakee's iconic eateries, serving everyone since 1954.

Despite the fast-paced life, locals still enjoy their meals at this eatery as it maintains its signature dishes and retro atmosphere, especially its homemade pie.

Some of Blue's Café's must-tries include its grilled tilapia plate, country fried steak plate, Mediterranean chicken plate, and cinnamon swirl French toast.

Posh Paws Pet Parlor

Posh Paws Pet Parlor is a trusted name for complete grooming services for your dog.

Its shop is situated along W. Court Street.

Grooming is a strenuous chore for most fur parents, so taking your dog to a professional groomer is the ideal thing to do these days.

Posh Paws Pet Parlor has seasoned groomers that won't just clean and trim your dog.

It has a full grooming service, bath and brush, nail trimming, and ear cleaning, and they even have a self-service dog wash.

They also guarantee that each pup will be given their signature brand of TLC, tender loving care.

Visit this pet grooming shop in Kankakee for top-notch full grooming service.

Final Thoughts

These businesses owned by Kankakeeans continue to provide everyone with excellent products and services.

Whenever you're visiting Kankakee, you now have this list as your directory to look up.

Support the small businesses in Kankakee, Illinois!