PEORIA, Ill. – An eatery with a number of Peoria and East Peoria locations is about to mark its expansion into downtown Peoria.
The Peoria City Council is approving a lease agreement for Childers Eatery to build out and use the Gateway Building as their newest location.
“We have come to an agreement with Childers, to lease the third floor for the Gateway..as a secondary banquet facility,” said Kimberly Richardson, Assistant City Manager. “This would be a five year lease that will commence as soon as we are able to sign the dotted line.”
Richardson says Childers will be able to build out that third floor, and once that done, banquet rentals can begin. She says Childers will pay $2,500 per month minimum for rent, up to eight percent of gross revenues max.
“The goal is, hopefully, as community members start hearing that the Gateway is reopened for public use, hosting through Childers, we will begin to see revenue come back through that building again for the city, as well as reinvigorate the space,” said Richardson.
Aldermen voted unanimously, with several saying they’re thrilled to see the popular eatery with at least three area locations, expanding again.
“This represents a pattern of this council approving projects that allow us to more fully utilize assets that belong to our taxpayers, said Council Member Chuck Grayeb, Dist. 2, pointing to a recent utilization of the old Rock Island Depot building.
