I’ve been worrying about a nutty thing for over four years now. Way back when the MBIP blog was just about five weeks old, I went to The Nut House on Main Street to do a post from that business which has been in operation for over 100 years in downtown Peoria. I met the current owner Debbie and she told me that she was looking to sell the business and retire. Immediately I had visions of some horrible thing like Starbucks taking over this sweet spot on Main Street. I’ve checked in periodically over the last four years and Debbie would always tell me that she was still trying to sell the place. Well, last month when I did a “Coffee Talk” post from CXT Roasting Company, I stopped in and Debbie told me she had just sold the place and that the new owner was going to keep the Nut House name and the place was going to stay the same! Who is this new owner? Well, let’s meet her right now!
Janey Scott: The New Nut House Owner!
This is the new owner of the Nut House, Janey Scott. I spoke with Janey on the phone last night and here’s what she had to say about herself and The Nut House.
“I’ve dreamed of owning a candy store my whole life. Who in the world wouldn’t be happy in a candy store? I've been eyeing "The Nut House" for some time, but the timing wasn't right until now. I also own a business known as Jane's Sweet Addictions, formally known as The Almond Box. It outgrew the name "The Almond Box" after I started doing summer events. It was originally a seasonal business at the Northwoods Mall. We now carry nuts, fudge, lemonade, shaved ice and so much more. We participate in almost every festival on the Riverfront and surrounding areas.Including "The Taste of Peoria" which we have won several awards.
I have no intention of changing the name "The Nut House". It will be known as "The Nut House" featuring "Jane's Sweet Addictions". Debbie the previous owner has been instrumental in the training my crew and I. We want to carry on a Peoria tradition for another 100 years.
The most important part of this transition is making sure all the customers that reminiscence about the memories of visiting this historical location, continue to do so. My talented crew will be working most of the hours this year because I'm booked solid with festivals and events. It only made sense these two business's belonged together!”
I am so relieved that The Nut House will live on just as it is! As Janey said, she’s going to be busy with festivals, so she wasn’t there yesterday, but I wanted to stop in and wish Debbie luck with retirement and meet the new person that’s going to be running The Nut House under the new ownership, so away we go...
To The Nut House! I am so relieved that this place is staying the same! I was really fearful that a Starbucks or some god-awful chain place was going to buy it and then I’d have to firebomb the building and that would be kind of a mess, so I’m thrilled to be here firebomb free! Let’s go in and see what’s happening!
It’s a compact railroad space in here, but it’s filled with sweet stuff! Speaking of sweet stuff, there’s Debbie who’s owned The Nut House for the last ten years and Deb, who’s going to be working in here. Debbie told me she started working here in 1993 and bought The Nut House from Bev Childers ten years ago. She’s training Deb for the next month and so I ordered a mixed box of goodies for them to practice on.
And here they go into action. While they prepare the box, let’s take a look around in here.
As I mentioned in the introduction, The Nut House has been in operation here in Peoria for over 100 years now! The top two photos are from different locations in downtown Peoria. In addition to candy, there’s also freshly made popcorn and caramel corn for sale in here.
There’s a big selection of freshly made candy in here. Everything from distinctive homemade candy cups to jelly beans to just about any sweet treat you can imagine!
Deb and Debbie continue to work on my assortment box over here. Deb said this is the first box that she’s made in here, I’m honored to be the first customer she’s doing this for!
Of course there’s a huge selection of nuts in here, myself included! Here’s Debbie weighing some of them for my assortment box. I love the antique Toledo scale and of course I have to touch it. I told you I was a nut!
They also have summer treats in here including ice cream, milk shakes and specialty flavored slush drinks to help you beat the heat!
I think the box is just about completed over there!
I love the way they display the candy in these apothecary jars, it’s really old-school and brings back memories of penny candy store days. Yes, I’m that old!
Suddenly....Swirly Pops!
And here’s Debbie and Deb presenting me with the first assortment box made under the new ownership!
I wish Janey, Deb and their crew much luck and happiness with their reign over The Nut House! Thanks for keeping a sweet thing the same! And good luck to Debbie, hope to see you here again, maybe on the other side of the counter! Stop in and buy some candy and nuts here and keep this sweet business operating for another 100 years in downtown Peoria! We’ll see you all tomorrow!
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311 Main Street
Peoria
309-673-4622
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Related Posts: Shop Hop: The Nut House, Halloweenland 2016—Masks On GDCI & Candy From The Nut House...Boo! and Eating Peoria One Street At A Time:Main Street—The Nut House And Cracked Pepper.