With a Downtown 2010 site in the middle of construction, several businesses are actively searching for places to locate in town, according to city officials.
In a open forum in city hall April 20, one breakfast restaurant chain announced its interest in coming to East Peoria.
Eddie Rice, owner and operator of Denny’s in North Pekin and the Metro Center in Peoria, said the business has been “working and exploring the option to bring a Denny’s to town.”
“I think it’s a good fit for here,” said Rice to city council members. “We would like (to build) as quickly as possible. We’re ready to go.”
While Rice said he is interested in East Peoria in general, specifically, he is interested in sites near the new downtown development area, close to Interstate 74.
The 6,000-square-foot restaurant would include a banquet room and would cost just over $1 million, Rice said. It would also bring about 70 to 90 new employees.
Rice added the restaurant would attract a “different kind of customer” with a household income of less than $42,000 a year.
The “niche” that Denny’s fills might keep shoppers in the area, specifically around Wal-Mart, said Rice.
Commissioner Dan Decker said he would like to see the business come to East Peoria.
“It’s nice to hear you want to come to town,” Decker said. “We have a lot of property. I’d like to see you in East Peoria. Hopefully, we can find a spot for you.”
Ty Livingston, director of planning and community development, said the open forum for Denny’s was unique to the city council.
“I believe part of the reason for the working session was to highlight the fact that businesses are much more active this year in looking for new locations than last, and that more good things are coming for East Peoria,” Livingston said.
When contacted by phone after the meeting, Rice said he thought the open session was “very productive.”
“Nobody threw me out,” he said laughing.
