Mullen’s Dressing, which has been produced in Palestine, Illinois for over 75 years, is one of the most widely recognized brands within the region. The tangy, yet sweet French dressing is a fan favorite from the Wabash to the Mississippi. Like many other midwestern dressings, Mullen’s is not reserved exclusively for leafy greens. In fact, many fans cite using the delicious, bottled sauce for anything from sandwich toppings to meat marinades. With such a dedicated following, we decided that Mullen’s would be the perfect subject for our first Downstate Business Highlight.

Despite changing hands multiple times since its original inception, Mullen’s current owner is dedicated to maintaining the brand's history and legacy moving forward. When asked how she plans to do so, owner Penny Shaw stated, “Investing in the historical integrity of the company, as well as Palestine. I have conducted extensive research into the history of the company and its founder, John D. Mullen […] Knowing, understanding, and sharing the company’s story is a big part of preserving the brand long term”.

Shaw took over operations at J.D. Mullen Co. in July of 2023 and has been working tirelessly to improve the company’s infrastructure while preserving the heart and soul that has made it successful. Improvements to production equipment were the first prerogative for the new proprietorship, with Penny citing the first batch of dressing rolling off the new line as one of her proudest moments in the venture so far.

Penny is a passionate believer in building up the community she resides in. Her multifaceted community outreach efforts extend to many different groups in the area.  Most notably, the local high school’s CEO program, whose main mission is to nurture budding entrepreneurs and provide them with valuable resources to lean on in their future careers. Additionally, Shaw aims to make the J.D. Mullen building a cultural center for the town of Palestine and surrounding communities. By supporting other small businesses and other local organizations, Shaw puts an impressive amount of effort into community building in the Downstate region.

Shaw’s love for Palestine’s story and place in American history drives this dedication to the community. As one of the jumping-off points in early westward expansion, Palestine has seen many ambitious individuals pass through its bounds since being founded in the early 1800s. “I admire the strength, courage, and ingenuity of these settlers and those who came after them,” she says, speaking of the hordes of settlers who once flocked to the first Land Grant Office in Illinois, searching for new, unknown opportunities in the untamed western territories of a budding America.  The bravery of these individuals and the innovative spirit they embodied live on in Downstate today through the efforts of entrepreneurs like Shaw.

Taking over has not been all sunshine and roses for Shaw. Penny touts that the process was not one void of setbacks and puzzling challenges.  Renovating the original J.D. Mullen building was the biggest hurdle for her. To create a modern operation and make room for future expansion, the new owner was forced to dedicate a large amount of capital and man-hours to the structure. Brand-new plumbing, office space, and updated production equipment were among the improvements made to the historic mainstay of downtown Palestine.

However, Shaw’s efforts have been worth the blood, sweat, and tears she has devoted to the cause, with Mullen’s best-selling Imitation French Dressing being named a top four entry in the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association “Coolest Things Made in Illinois” bracket this past March. As finalists, Penny was invited to visit the Illinois Governor’s Mansion where the final award was to be presented.

Looking towards the future, the Mullen’s brand shows no signs of slowing down. The current goal is to continue partnering with other local businesses to get Mullen’s added to their shelves. Penny is especially passionate about this as a brand growth strategy, stating “A town’s personality is determined by their small businesses. The charm of those little stores where the shopkeeper knows your name is priceless.” She also mentioned that a Mullen’s restaurant is a project she would love to attempt, however, no plans for that venture currently exist.

Mullen’s Dressing is just one of the interesting things produced here in Downstate Illinois. Stay tuned to our social media for updates on this recurring series, where we aim to highlight the cool things produced in the region, and the even cooler people behind those brands. For submissions or requests to be featured in a future Downstate Business Highlight, contact us on Facebook @downstateil, or via email at [email protected].