Shopping

Peoria Progress
Retail Around the Region
Peoria Progress - Vol II 2008

There was once a time when discerning shoppers had to travel to Chicago or St. Louis to find the latest in retail, but no more! Combining the retail options of a large city with the laidback Midwestern appeal for which we’re famous, you’ll find everything you need right here in central Illinois.

NORTH SIDE SHOPPING

Located in Peoria at the intersection of I-474, Route 6 and War Memorial Drive, The Shoppes at Grand Prairie is the premier shopping destination in downstate Illinois, offering a “Main Street USA” appeal in an open-air environment. The multi-million-dollar courtyard includes many impressive amenities, including children’s play areas, ponds, outdoor dining, live music, custom sculptures and a nationally recognized memorial—the Holocaust Memorial Button Project.

Anchored by Bergner’s, Linens ‘n Things, Borders, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Old Navy, the Shoppes include more than 70 specialty stores and restaurants. In addition to signature retailers like J. Jill, Coldwater Creek, White House | Black Market, Chico’s, Ann Taylor, Caché and Banana Republic, the Shoppes offer traditional brands like Hallmark and Kirkland’s Home, along with local specialty retailers.

At the Centre of it All

When his grandfather passed away last year at the age of 90, Eric Brinker left his job in New York City to come take over the family business—the Metro Centre. Brinker’s grandfather, Marvin Goodman, founded the Centre in 1971. At the time, Metro Centre was one of the only retail destinations in Peoria. It was then—and still is—at the “center of it all.” And in the short time since he took over, Brinker has made several changes to ensure it stays that way!

Flags were put up outside, and the buildings were painted. A new LED sign was added to the front entrance to provide high-quality, interactive messages to passersby. He invested in Main-Street style park benches, trash receptacles and matching planters for up and down the walkways. Significant landscaping has been done as well, starting at the entrance and working its way out. Improvements were made to the parking lot, with potholes and uneven areas replaced, stripes repainted and a seal-coating process applied.

New expansion plans call for a mixed-use retail/residential project, with residential units to be constructed above retail shops with views of the Lakeview nature preserve. Additional plans call for a new facade, revised sidewalks to include seating areas, new carriage light fixtures, improved traffic flow and an expanded farmers’ market with a farm-themed children’s play area, more seating and walkways. With these exciting new developments, Metro Centre hopes to create a park-like neighborhood within your shopping experience.

Dining options include Bar Louie, Flat Top Grill and Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse. After dinner, catch a movie at the RMP Grand Prairie 18, an 18-screen, 4,000-seat movie theatre adjacent to the Shoppes.

Other retail developments in this fast-growing section of northwest Peoria include Prairie Crossing, anchored by Furniture Row; Grand Prairie Commons, anchored by Home Depot and Gander Mountain; and the Plaza at Grand Prairie.

HOMETOWN FAVORITES

Junction City, at the corner of Knoxville and Prospect, delivers the ultimate shopping experience in a distinctive outdoor setting. Home to a wide variety of locally owned upscale shops and restaurants, including Three Dog Bakery, Belle Mie, Moniers Flowers & Gifts and Cyd’s Gourmet Kitchen, it is set in a unique railroad-themed shopping center. Visitors can spend the day—or the evening—strolling the boardwalk, browsing the shops, lingering in cafes and enjoying events with their families and friends.

Metro Centre is a longtime hometown favorite, offering family-owned and specialty stores like Hanssen’s Le Bakery, My Dog’s Bakery, Scrapadoodle, Broms Furs and Fashions, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Naturally Yours Grocery. During the summer, the weekly Farmers’ Market and Expo attracts thousands of shoppers seeking fresh produce, flowers, herbs, jams and more. Recent upgrades and future plans continue to make Metro Centre a staple of the community.

For specialty shops in a charming village atmosphere, pay a visit to Peoria Heights. Stroll its quaint streets and you will find boutiques like Sassy Lady, A Perfect Pear and Harp & Thistle, hip restaurants such as Seven on Prospect and French Toast, and specialty shops like Wine Country, I Know You Like a Book and Leaves-N-Beans Roasting Co. It’s all happening in the Heights!

Just minutes away is the remodeled Northwoods Mall, Peoria’s largest indoor shopping center, with anchor tenants Sears, Macy’s and J.C.Penney. A variety of other stores—including Abercrombie & Fitch, The Gap, Express and Victoria’s Secret—contribute to the Northwoods shopping experience.

Across the street, Westlake Shopping Center was recently remodeled to offer a more upscale retail experience. Sheridan Village features Bergner’s and a number of specialty shops. Other Peoria shopping locations include Willow Knolls Court, Glen Hollow and Evergreen Square. The former Pekin Mall, now the open-air retail center East Court Village, has also recently undergone a multi-million-dollar reconstruction.

And don’t forget our revitalized riverfront! From art galleries and one-of-a-kind gift shops to one of Illinois’ oldest antique centers, spend the day shopping, eating and enjoying the arts in a friendly, vibrant urban environment.

IN THE TWIN CITIES

In nearby Bloomington-Normal, The Shoppes at College Hills offers an open-air lifestyle center similar to The Shoppes at Grand Prairie. The short drive offers additional choices for the discerning shopper, including the factory outlets at Crossroads Center and Eastland Mall, the cities’ largest shopping complex, featuring Kohl’s, Bergner’s and Macy’s. PP