Tag Archives: River Station

City of Peoria, Restaurants

River Station lease renewed for another 10 years

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From the most recent Issues Update for Peoria:

The City has received notice from River Station LLC that it is renewing its lease to the River Station building for an additional ten (10) years. The original lease was dated August 28, 1979. On November 17, 2000, it was assigned from Mathers Co., Inc. to River Station LLC, which is Kert Huber’s entity. The right to extend is given to the Lessee, and the City cannot deny the extension. This matter will not come before the Council.

The original lease dated August 28, 1979, provides for a twenty?year term commencing when the restaurant opens. It provides for three (3) ten?year extensions. The first ten?year extension was executed by Mathers on November 16, 2000, providing for a ten?year extension which would terminate February 1, 2011. River Station LLC has provided notice of its intent to extend for an additional ten (10) years, until February 1, 2021, at which time there will be the probability of another, final ten?year extension until February 1, 2031, at which time the lease will end.

Rent under the lease is two percent (2%) gross sales from the operation of businesses on the premise. There is no minimum amount, so that the City is realizing some income from the presence of Martini’s on the premises.

Martini’s is the only tenant in the old Rock Island Depot, now known as the River Station. Not that other restaurants haven’t given it a try. Most recently, a restaurant called “Tilly’s” tried to make a go of it. Here’s to hoping a new restaurant can be successful in that location someday soon.

General News

Berean Bookstore closing its doors for good

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A local Christian bookstore that has been serving Peoria for over 60 years has announced it will be closing its doors for good. Berean Bookstore in Evergreen Square next to Office Depot and Kroger sent this letter to those on their mailing list last week. It says, in part:

Dear Loyal Customer and Friend,

A HUGE STORE CLOSING SALE will begin immediately to LIQUIDATE EVERY SINGLE ITEM of merchandise in our store to include all Bibles, Books, Church Supplies, Children’s Books & Toys, Spanish Products, All Music, Gifts, Home Decor, Framed Art, Audio & Video, Greeting Cards, Educational Supplies, Demdaco Figurines, Candles, Seasonal Lines, T-Shirts and much more.

We are CLOSING OUR DOORS FOREVER. All of our merchandise, selected store fixtures, furniture, and equipment must be sold . . . .

After 63 years of serving the community this [invitation-only] sale is initiated only after careful consideration. It is our way of thanking you for your business and friendship while at the same time accomplishing our goals.

I remember when Berean was on Knoxville just south of McClure. The place was packed with product — records, tapes, bibles, books, curriculum, and sheet music. There wasn’t very much tacky Christian gift product back then. Since then, Berean has moved to Sheridan Village, and then to its current location in Evergreen Square. And with each successive move, their stock of books and music got smaller, and their selection of tacky Christian gift product got bigger.

You see, gift product has a big markup, whereas books and music don’t. So in order to stay profitable, the “bookstore” became more of a “gift store.” I would have thought they had it made after most other Christian bookstores in the area closed (All That Matters in the Metro Centre, Hidden Treasure in Washington, JC’s in Morton, Mustard Seed in Pekin). But I guess they just couldn’t compete with the huge stock, easy ordering, and quick shipping of internet bookshops such as Christian Book Distributors.

Berean also has bookstores Bloomington, Champaign, and Decatur. No word on whether they are closing as well, or if this only affects Peoria.

Meanwhile, two other area businesses are closing: Tilley’s in the River Station (which lasted just six months) and the Golden Corral in Washington (which left its employees high and dry, closing without notice or explanation).