I thought I’d start a new on-going series about Peoria’s riverfront. When I moved back here in 2012, I noticed that the riverfront had really taken on a new life since I had lived here over 19 years earlier. There’s lots of places, things and events happening there and I thought I’d start a new series, called, “On The Riverfront,” and spotlight some of these riverfront places and happenings. And what better place to start than visiting our good buddies over at Emack & Bolio's—on the riverfront!
Uh, oh...double exclamation point alert! But at least we know that they’re open.
Here we are at Emack & Bolio’s, on the riverfront! There’s two tables in front of the store for outside dining...
And a large patio area in front of the store with benches where you can sit and let your ice cream melt all over you and have real Modern English moment.
This building is a real Peoria landmark, it’s the oldest commercial structure on the riverfront. One thing that’s kind of making my mind go all whammy-pajammy is that according to this sign, it’s the Schwab Powell Building, but it was known as the Powell Press Building. This building appears to have a full-blown identity crisis going on, kind of like what Prince had in the ‘90’s! That’s more than a little scary and as hard as it is, I’m going to slowly walk away from this plaque and...
Go inside and see what’s going on inside of Emack & Bolio’s!
Looking nice in here as always, but where the hell is everybody?
I found co-owner Jim Maxwell working hard (or is he hardly working?) over here in the corner. The other co-owner and this blog’s Spiritual Guru, Tim Hennessey wasn’t available for comment. He’s currently talking to Peoria’s City Council and trying to persuade them to change the name of the building to an unpronounceable symbol.
Every Wednesday hula hoopers descend upon the riverfront and Ryan is part of that group. But instead of a hula hoop, he performs with this item called a “hoi.” Ha, I just had a Captain Jinks flashback typing in the last two words of that sentence!
Stephanie was another one of the hula hooping crowd whooping it up down the street and she agreed to pose outside of Emack's and do a few hula hoop moves for the MBIP camera, take it away Stephanie!
Stephanie puts her spin on this photo!
As I noted earlier, every Wednesday hula hoopers gather down here on the riverfront to engage in all sorts of hula hoopery shenanigans. Peoria has its own hula hoop group called the Heart of Illinois Hoopers and they’re the one’s that organize the weekly event. I’m going to stop by next Wednesday, so stay tuned for that!
I love this photo! The hula hoop seems to have a life of its own in it! Thanks to Stephanie for pulling out some ace hula hoop moves for us!
Both Emack & Bolio’s locations have a rock ‘n’ roll theme to them. Check out that piece of art over there on the right...
It’s a portrait of Linda Ronstadt that was drawn by my brother Jim. Today is his birthday, happy furious little monkey birthday, Jim! Only the two of us know what that means and you’re dead and I’m not telling anyone, so it’s our little secret. Ha ha ha!
Here another picture in Emack’s that my brother drew, an angry Shirley Manson from Garbage. What a beloved freak!
There’s a large dining area in the back here if you want to enjoy your ice cream in sweet air-conditioned bliss.
There’s plenty of tables and chairs back here to kick back, relax and examine your bellybutton for unsightly lint.
There’s some pictures of hometown boys that made good. Richard Pryor is featured on the left side of the wall...
And there’s Dan Fogelberg over on the right. Just like my brother Jim, they’re both dead as doornails too. This is really turning into a somewhat dark, Monty Pythonesque post and my brother would’ve loved it!
This antique safe is locked and no one knows what’s inside of it. I’m hoping there’s a gallon of milk inside of it which would make for a nice Captain Beefheart moment!
I love this penny counter up front and look, Jim’s doing an impersonation of The Addams Family, Thing. Pretty damned impressive, Jim, nice work!
They have four vintage-flavored soft drinks for sale in here plus the most vintage of all drinks, good old fashioned H2O.
Okay, I think it’s high time that we ordered up some of that premium Emack & Bolio’s ice cream, a wonderful summer treat here on the Peoria riverfront!
Before we choose the ice cream, let’s pick out a cone...
Lots of tasty and sweet selections to choose from...
I chose the multi-colored sprinkle cone and here’s super-cute, Lydia holding it up, behind the counter. Time to choose the ice cream...
Okay, the ice cream has been chosen and Lydia is scooping it up...
And she passes it off to Jim who serves it up in one fell Emack and Bolio’s swoosh!
I got the white pistachio nut and it’s delicious! Thanks to Jim, Lydia, Ryan and Stephanie for playing along on this fun riverfront post! We’ll see you all tomorrow!
Emack & Bolio’s
110 SW Water Street
Peoria, IL
309-713-3524
Emack’s in the Heights
4534 N Prospect Road
Peoria Heights
309-682-3530
Related post: The Other Emack & Bolio’s—Downtown Ice Cream On Water Street!