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Robert Eckman, an entrepreneur and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is excited to announce the grand opening of his new business, Belleville Books. In business partnership with his husband, Steve Mathews, and the support and guidance of the SBDC, Robert has turned his entrepreneurial dream into reality. The bookstore will open its doors to the community on September 24, offering a wide selection of new and used books and other literary-themed gift items.

Eckman brings more than 25 years experience in the retail book selling business. His extensive background includes roles in marketing, managing independent bookstores and chain bookstore marketing, as well as years in the hotel industry, all of which have honed his customer service skills. For the past decade, he and Mathews have been planning and dreaming of opening their own bookstore, and now, with the help of the SBDC, that dream is coming to fruition.

"I've always loved working with books and the public," Eckman said. "The support from the SBDC has been incredible. They helped us with everything from finding the right contacts to securing financial support."

In November 2023, while still living in Salt Lake City, Utah, Eckman began collaborating with the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE after deciding to open a physical bookstore in Belleville, near his family. Through his research, he found the SBDC and started working with director Jo Ann Di Maggio May. The SBDC provided crucial guidance, connecting him with law firms, accountants, and valuable contacts.

“It has been an amazing journey working with Eckman,” says director Di Maggio May. "His passion and diligence have helped him through the joys and, at times, overwhelming process of opening Belleville Books.” The SBDC and I look forward to continuing our support of Belleville Books and wish Robert, Steve and their team much success!”

Relocating from Utah to Illinois and purchasing a house; simultaneous to establishing a store was a significant challenge. During the move, Robert made over 70 trips to gather books from secondhand bookstores, Goodwill outlets, bookselling friends and authors, amassing a collection of 12,000 books. Now, he is eager to share his love for books with the Belleville community through his new bookstore.

"The community has been so welcoming," Robert shared. "We’ve received so much positive feedback, and it really feels like home here." Once Belleville Books opens, they will feature free community events, including story times, spelling bees, poetry readings, book clubs and writing groups. Robert is excited to become an integral part of the community and looks forward to making Belleville Bookstore a beloved local spot for all book lovers.

Belleville Bookstore is located at 20 East Main Street, Belleville. For more information, contact Belleville Bookstore at proprietors@bellevillebooks.com and follow them on social media. Join Robert and Steve in celebrating the grand opening of Belleville Books this September 24 and be part of a new chapter in fostering a love for books within the Belleville community.

The Illinois SBDC for The Metro East assists entrepreneurs like Belleville Store as well as existing business owners operating in the nine-county Metro East region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. SBDC enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. 

SBDC offices in Illinois are funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement among the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a service to the community. To learn how these no-cost services may help your business venture, contact the Metro East SBDC at (618) 650-2929 or sbdcedw@gmail.com.

PHOTO:  Robert Eckman and Steve Mathews of Belleville Books