It’s time for our weekly listing of suggestions from MBIP posts from the past. This week I’m putting up fourteen photos and links to local shopping outlets. Think global, shop local and start scrolling, scrolling, scrolling!
Saturday Suggestions: Local Shopping Outlets
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Acme Comics
Link: Shop Hop: Acme Comics - This post is an oldie but a goodie, the blog was just nine days old when I did my very first Shop Hop post at ACME Comics. The owner of ACME, Bob Gordon has been selling comics, books, toys, albums and more and you can see photos of some of his inventory and also read a story about how myself and my brother mocked him behind his back when he first started selling comics. Of course Bob had the last laugh, he’s still in business and I empty garbage for a living. Karma: Sometimes it’s a real thing!
Flores Music
Link: Let Them Eat Cake: Flores Music 60th Anniversary Celebration! - This is a post from last November when Flores Music was celebrating their 60th year anniversary. I took them a specialty cake from Trefzger’s bakery and you can see photos of some of the Flores family and the Peoria and Pekin stores.
The Fiber Universe
Link: Shop Hop—The Fiber Universe - In 2013, I noticed a shop on Water Street in downtown Peoria that only sold yarn. This amazed me so I did a post on it and wondered how long it could survive. Well, there’s more knitters out there than I imagined because I’m happy to report that over five years later, The Fiber Universe is still alive and well on Water Street!
Lit. On Fire
Link: Lit. On Fire Used Books: Relocated...And It Feels So Good! - Lit. on Fire is a real Peoria success story. Owner Jessica opened up in a small space in the back of the Sunbeam Building in the summer of 2015. She later expanded that by opening up a room in the back and last year she moved into her very own storefront on Main Street right next door to the Costume Trunk.
Relics
Link: Shop Hop @ Relics: Special Birthday Edition! - Relics is one of my favorite gift stores in Peoria. They have the most unique selections in there and last year they celebrated its fifth year in business and I was there for the festivities!
Costume Trunk
LInk: Boo...Who? The Costume Trunk, That’s Who! - Another favorite shop I like to hop to is The Costume Trunk on Main Street. It’s the longest running business on Main Street and it’s owned by one of the nicest guys in Peoria, Steve Spain. In October of 2016 I took a pre-Halloween trip to the store.
Moxie’s Resale Boutique
Link: Can I Eat My Lunch In Here? Starring Khaki Jack’s & Moxie’s Resale Boutique (Originally Headed For Bergner’s In Sheridan Village) - Last year I went on one of my super-awkward “Can I Eat My Lunch In Here” trips to Bergner’s and got shown the door. So I went down the street to Moxie’s Resale Boutique and discovered that Mollee had sold the place. Luckily, Jesi the new owner was very nice and we had a nice lunch in there and she gave me a tour of Moxie’s version two!
Urban Artifacts
Link: Bygone Brand Retro Peoria T-Shirts @ Urban Artifacts - Another favorite store of mine is Urban Artifacts where you can find so many vintage treasures. This post not only featured photos of some of the very cool and unique inventory but it also featured a story on t-shirts with Peoria logos from the past that are on sale at Urban Artifacts.
Peoria Flag and Decorating Company
Link: Shop Hop—Peoria Flag And Decorating Company: In Business Since 1908 And Family Owned By The Blasek Family Since 1955! - Peoria Flag and Decorating Company has been in business here in Peoria since 1908. It's been owned and operated by the Blasek family since 1955! I went and took a tour of this legendary Peoria retail store last year and was impressed by all the cool items in there.
Younger Than Yesterday
Link: (Almost) Live From Peoria: The Jim McCarty Experience With The Temporary Tribute Band At Younger Than Yesterday - This is another post from back in 2013. In 1992, I traveled to Memphis, Tennessee with my friend Jeffery Jones, Jim McCarty and his son Simon. Jim is the original drummer for The Yardbirds and is a friend of the owner of Craig Moore who owns Younger Than Yesterday. Back then we were going to Memphis because Craig was recording an EP there and I went along to do a story on it and it was a blast.
In 2013, I had been back in Peoria less than a year and had heard that Jim was coming to town and he, Craig and other musicians were playing a show in the store. So I went and was happy and surprised that Jim remembered me and we had a nice reunion. It was quite a memorable day and a wonderful show!
Christmas Shopping In Canton
Link: Christmas Shopping In Canton - In November of 2016 there was a horrible gas explosion in Canton, Illinois. There was a lot of destruction and afterwards the town worked hard to put itself back together. I had heard the retail businesses were hurting, so I took a road trip there with MBIP pal and Wheelman, Scott Turley to show that the town was still somewhat damaged, but most of the retail outlets were up and running and I encouraged people to do some of their Christmas shopping there.
Modern TV
Link: Shop Hop—Modern TV - I noticed this store a few years ago and loved the old-school look it had. It looks like it’s from 1973 and I wanted to check out the inside and so last year that’s exactly what I did!
Lost And Found Again
Link: Shop Hop: Lost & Found Again (House Of Treasures) - Lost and Found Again is a gift shop in Peoria Heights and it’s located in a house that’s filled with treasures including vintage typewriters, cameras, art, photos, jewelry and a dog named Willie Nelson!
Ribbon Records
Link: Shop Hop: Ribbon Records (In Their New Location!) - Ribbon Records is another record store here in Peoria that is so much more than just records. They have a whole room of vintage clothing and other items along with a vast selection of used records and CD’s. They moved to the corner of Sheridan and Main Street in 2015 and I went and checked it out and was very impressed!
Related Post: Saturday Suggestions: Saturday Night Dinner.