Developers plan to revitalize a prominent downtown Peoria block by expanding one restaurant and bar, and adding two more.
Gerald Ritterbusch, the new owner of Hoops Pub and Pizza, and partner Jeff Giebelhausen intend to grow the restaurant into neighboring space in the 500 block of Main Street. They also expect to open additional eateries on the block, adjacent to the historic Madison Theater.
During its most recent meeting, the Peoria City Council voted in favor of site approvals for liquor licenses at all three businesses.
“That entire block are going to be entertainment and restaurant-type facilities,” said city attorney Patrick Hayes. “In our hospitality district, we’re seeing an expansion of hospitality in property that’s been idle all too long, and we’re very grateful for those efforts.”
While the site application for the expansion of Hoops was approved as part of the consent agenda, the two new businesses don’t yet have names. They were listed as “TBD,” prompting council member John Kelly to inquire if those initials would be the actual names.
“The ‘TBD’ indicates that we’re still working on our redevelopment agreement with them. They’re still working on some of their concepts, and ‘TBD’ really does mean ‘to be determined,’” said Hayes. “They’re going to market a name, but they haven’t come up with it yet.”
Hayes added that the businesses are not yet close to opening, and true business names would be in place before final approval of a liquor license is granted.
“They won’t be ready to open until this summer; we may need an extension,” said Hayes. “You know that you have to open a newly authorized site within six months or seek an extension, and they’ve already indicated that they may need that.
“They’re targeting somewhere around July, as I understand it. But as we all know, taking on our older historic buildings often presents some unforeseen challenges, and so they’re going to do what they can to open that this summer.”
