Lantern Network started in 2017 with one simple purpose statement: “To incubate good works.”

Alton, like many towns, had lost industry, population and the natural sense of entrepreneurship that often rebuilds or renews cities.  Although activism and spirit were strong, Lantern Network was born to help model, restore and encourage new ventures that are good for people, and good for our city.

Lantern Network’s hallmark and initiating work was to renovate a boarded up federal post office that had been closed for 60 years. Because downtown Alton had no daytime space for connection, food, coffee and collaboration, Post Commons opened in January of 2018 as a coffee shop and brunch cafe, later incubating Idle Roasting Co., Post Events Space, and The Basement Coworking space.

Quickly, Post Commons became the ‘living room for Alton,’ and the place people dream, work, plan and start new businesses, justice works or anything good.

Lantern operates as a non-profit umbrella that incubates and serves a growing ecosystem of for-profit and non-profit ventures. We love to help through coaching, consulting, administrative services and relational community.