Business changes hands, not families

DIXON – Wilson’s Tap, a longtime Dixon staple, will see some changes over the next few months.

Marion (Wilson) Younger, who married another tavern owner, Andy Younger, in November, will be handing over the reins to her daughter, Val Wilson, on Feb. 1.

“I’m going to miss it,” Younger said. “Thirty-four years is a long time.”

The changes to Wilson’s Tap will start indoors as Liar’s Corner – a fishing theme that started with her late husband, Richard Wilson, who joked that fishermen are the biggest liars – which will be following Younger to her husband’s bar, K’s Korners in Sterling.

With the fishing theme gone, Wilson plans to bring in new decorations.

“It’s not really going to be a theme or anything,” she said. “We’re going to bring in some antiques-type things. We’re not really sure yet. We’re going to be gradually redecorating.”

That “we” is Wilson and her boyfriend, Mike Partington, who has been helping her with the plans.

Those plans include eventually replacing the sign identifying the bar as Wilson’s Tap to, possibly, Val’s Place. The bar will not close as the changes occur.

“That’s the only thing that’s stuck,” she said. “Who knows, in a couple months, it could be that or it could be something else.”

Wilson works in customer service at Raynor.

Party Bombs coming to the area

FREEPORT – You don’t have to be at a party to have a party bomb.

But you might feel like you’re at a party, because the 5 calories in the Party Bombs energy shot make it tastier than some of its competitors, said Jeremy Saunders, 26, of Warren, owner and president of Bakin Enterprises.

The company just signed with Hartman Beverage Co. of Freeport, which will distribute Party Bombs in Lee, Whiteside, Carroll, Jo Daviess and Boone counties.

The 2-ounce shots sell at most stores at a rate of one shot for $2.29 and two for $4.

Sometimes the name Party Bombs makes people think the shots are harmful, but they’re not, Saunders said.

With vitamins and no more caffeine than a cup of coffee, they’re actually a dietary supplement, he said.