Public Celebrates Opening of EP Levee District
By: Andrew Barra WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: March 16, 2013
EAST PEORIA - The city of East Peoria is celebrating a major milestone.
Its new Downtown Levee District is officially open.
On Saturday--leaders held a special event dedicated to shoppers who packed the area.
With many anchor stores - including Target, Gordmans, and Ulta Beauty opening in the last couple weeks, shoppers are ready to take advantage of staying on the river's east side to pull out their cash.
"I do like the all-in-one stop," said Bobby Guy of Pekin. "Hopefully, the restaurants will be coming too. I know we'll definitely like the Target, as well as the Gordmans."
Many customers said the district's wide array of shops all in close proximity makes it so appealing.
"The convenience of everything all right here together," said Sparland resident Mike Thomas. "You have a variety of stores you can go to and most likely get anything you want, really."
Others said it would mean less travel time, less money on gas.
Guy said, "It is a lot closer to where we live out in Pekin, instead of driving in to Peoria, so it'll be a lot more beneficial for us as far as gas prices and all that.
James Welsh and his family hope to take advantage of the fact that everything they need is essentially all in one block.
He said. "My wife will be working here in the District, so it'll be something we can come over, pick up things like school clothes for the kids, the layout seems to be much nicer. You can definitely pick up everything. It'll be nice to have Target and some of the other stores to do other shopping and get all your banking done all in one spot."
Levee District developers said they hope to open at least fifty downtown stores.
Stay tuned--new businesses will be announced in the next few months.
Its new Downtown Levee District is officially open.
On Saturday--leaders held a special event dedicated to shoppers who packed the area.
With many anchor stores - including Target, Gordmans, and Ulta Beauty opening in the last couple weeks, shoppers are ready to take advantage of staying on the river's east side to pull out their cash.
"I do like the all-in-one stop," said Bobby Guy of Pekin. "Hopefully, the restaurants will be coming too. I know we'll definitely like the Target, as well as the Gordmans."
Many customers said the district's wide array of shops all in close proximity makes it so appealing.
"The convenience of everything all right here together," said Sparland resident Mike Thomas. "You have a variety of stores you can go to and most likely get anything you want, really."
Others said it would mean less travel time, less money on gas.
Guy said, "It is a lot closer to where we live out in Pekin, instead of driving in to Peoria, so it'll be a lot more beneficial for us as far as gas prices and all that.
James Welsh and his family hope to take advantage of the fact that everything they need is essentially all in one block.
He said. "My wife will be working here in the District, so it'll be something we can come over, pick up things like school clothes for the kids, the layout seems to be much nicer. You can definitely pick up everything. It'll be nice to have Target and some of the other stores to do other shopping and get all your banking done all in one spot."
Levee District developers said they hope to open at least fifty downtown stores.
Stay tuned--new businesses will be announced in the next few months.
