Category / The Mills Family

4
Jun

Amy Mills named Landmarks Illinois Influencer

Posted by on . -- On The Road, Press, The Mills Family

Amy Mill and friends point to a Landmarks, IL banner with her picture on it

Being named a Landmarks Illinois Influencer is such an honor — and what a thrill to walk into the Old Post Office in Chicago and see a giant banner with my photo! I was chosen for this honor for the design and restoration of the building that houses Faye and The Factory at 17th Street.

Landmarks Illinois produced a video about each of the Influencers’ projects. Our video not only highlights the building, but discusses the revitalization of Murphysboro and the intersection of place and food in a culture.

17th Street Barbecue Crew

Laurie Neef, Woody Tunnicliffe, Ben Heller, Sala Harper, Andrea Wadley

Speaking of food, 17th Street Barbecue was part of the celebration as well, so part of our crew was on hand to execute this catering gig. Our line spanned the length of the grand hall and we enjoyed meeting and feeding so many fans.

Landmarks, Il Preservation Forward event at Chicago's Old Post Office

The Old Post Office was a splendid venue for celebration, attended by over 750 supporters and raising $730,000 for Landmarks Illinois’ mission-driven work. The event featured a cocktail hour, a main program honoring the 2023 Landmarks Illinois Influencers, signature dishes from multiple food stations, networking and an after-party.

The winners of 2023 Landmarks, IL Preservation Forward and the glass-blown award given to Amy Mills

During the awards, each Landmarks Illinois Influencer’s video was screened and we were presented with a unique glass-blown trophy depicting one of our buildings.  Such an honor to share the stage with this wildly talented and innovative group of 2023 Landmarks Illinois Influencers:

L to R, pictured above:
Sarah Wick, Related Midwest
Amy Mills, owner, 17th Street Barbecue, Faye, and The Factory at 17th Street
Paola Aguirre Serrano, Urban Designer and founding partner, Borderless
Amanda Williams, Artist/Architect
Calvin Holmes, President Chicago Community Loan Fund

Amy Mills with family and friends

Woody Tunnicliffe, Paula Maloney, Nida Mudd

Family and dear friends traveled to Chicago to celebrate with me.

Shots of Amy Mills' friends and family

Shannon McGovern, Virginia Devlin, Bob Chambers, Cynthia Mill

I don’t have photos of local friends such as Renee Prusacki and Derek Mercer of Present Tense Cocktails and Andrew Bloom of Wichita Packing. I’m so very grateful for these deep friendships.

Amy Mills with Preservation Forward President, Bonnie McDonald, and Event Chair Erika Block

Erika Block, Landmarks Illinois Board Secretary, and Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois President & CEO, presenting me with my award.

About Landmarks Illinois: We are People Saving Places for People. Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based nonprofit organization serving the people of Illinois. We inspire and empower stakeholders to save places that matter to them by providing free guidance, practical and financial resources and access to strategic partnerships.

 

Photo credit for all photos: David T. Kindler

8
Mar

Amy Mills Honored by Landmarks Illinois Preservation Forward

Posted by on . -- Design, The Mills Family

Landmarks Illinois Preservation Forward Honors Amy Mills

On March 2, 2023, Amy Mills was honored by Landmarks Illinois for her work in historic preservation.

The “Preservation Forward” event, held at the Old Post Office in Chicago, awarded honors to the 2023 Landmarks Illinois Influencers, a group of five leaders who have shaped Illinois’ built environment and, who through their work, are joining Landmarks Illinois in its progressive effort to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible preservation movement.

Amy and Mike Mills have dedicated decades to the important work of documenting and sharing the history of American barbecue, and cultivating the cultural practices surrounding it. They are responsible for the restoration of several historic buildings in the town of Murphysboro, IL, as well. To date, they’ve restored and established new businesses in several commercial buildings original to Murphysboro’s downtown business center, including the locations of 17th Street Barbecue, The Warehouse at 17th Street, The Factory at 17th Street, and a new cafe, Faye.

This piece from The Southern Illinoisan includes more details about Mills’ effort to restore an old car dealership to create the space that houses the sauce Factory and Faye.

Click here to watch footage of Amy and the four other honorees discussing the important work they’ve undertaken on behalf of historic preservation in Illinois, and receiving their awards.