Our Story

Our family has been a part of the fabric of Alton as business owners/operators for over 100 years and 4 Generations! Sam Balaco I purchased the Modern Store (a local clothing store) in 1917, then the BonAir in 1938. Lotteo Balaco joined the business in 1941. Besides owning the BonAir for 40 years, Lotteo had Holliday Hills Riding Stables, H&H Sales, and was integral in many other local businesses.

He was always buying and selling any kind of merchandise: saddles, gold, silver, diamonds and more! Anything that would make a dollar! He set in motion the standard of business & customer service we still use today! Sam Balaco II joined the BonAir in 1975 until they sold it in 1981. Lotteo opened Lotteo’s Restaurant in 1981 and Sam Balaco II opened Sam’s Loans, Inc.(Sam’s Pawn Shop) in 1991. His Daughter, Stacy Balaco Dixon joined in 1995, Daughter, Katie Balaco Dockstader in 2002, Son-in law, Corey Dixon in 2005 and grandson Andrew Dixon in 2016.

We are proudly locally family owned and operated. We live here, we were raised here, we raise our families here and plan to continue that for many years to come! Being in business in Alton is in our blood and our family history, and we value this community for having helped us grow in business for over 100 years!

Thank You all for sharing in our history and our future. We’ve built trust in the community for generations, stop in today and let us show you how! This is who we are and all we do!

Meet the Staff

Sam Balaco – Owner

Stacy Dixon – General Manager/Jewelry

Corey Dixon – Gun Manager

Katie Dockstader – Sales/Jewelry/Customer Service

Andrew Dixon – Customer Service

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