This week’s “Shopping Locally” post isn’t about going to a store to buy merchandise from a local vendor, it’s about going out and buying a classic Peoria restaurant, piano bar and a memorable slice of West Peoria history.
Sky Harbor Steak House was born in 1971 when Bill and Ellen Klusendorf opened the doors to the original Sky Harbor which overlooked the Peoria Airport.
Due to the airport expanding and needing runway space where Sky Harbor was located, the restaurant moved to its current location on Park Road, just off Farmington Road in West Peoria in the mid ’90’s.
By this time Bill’s son Daryl was running the operation and Bill’s wife, Ellen was still doing hostess duty. Both of them were frequent contributors to the music that happened at the piano bar tucked away in the front corner of the restaurant.
Then along came 2020 and the Covid 19 pandemic. Restaurants and bars had to close, but most of them have re-opened with social distance guidelines.
Sky Harbor hasn’t and won’t until someone buys or leases it. Both Daryl and his mom Ellen are in high risk groups and they have to get out of the restaurant business, so this Peoria tradition is for sale or lease.
My hope is that someone buys this and keeps it just the way it is.
There’s a built-in audience for this memorable Peoria restaurant/piano bar and I went and met Daryl for a tour to showcase what you will get if you buy or lease Sky Harbor Steak House.
Here we are in West Peoria at the legendary Sky Harbor Steak House.
There’s my friend and the owner of Sky Harbor, Daryl Klusendorf. He’s opening up the doors so we can take a look around in here and have a showcase for prospective buyers.
The stone wall in the foyer is just the start of some of the classic, throwback touches to this place.
Lots of memories on the wall including Daryl with broadcasters Dan DiOrio and Greg Batton from the Greg and Dan Show, a Journal Star four-star review, An amazing autographed photo of Kreskin, a vintage photo of Daryl’s mom, Ellen bowling and the framed art from when they were inducted into the MBIP Twelve-Timer’s Club!
Here’s my spot that I usually sit and drink and dine at, the fully stocked bar.
It’s a spacious bar and a classic Budweiser trolley spins overhead and check out the Peoria skyline in this photo just above the bar.
This is the most unique and beautiful dining rooms in Peoria. It’s like walking back in time to an exclusive nightclub in New York City.
There’s comfortable and classic blue leather banquettes, vintage photos on the wall and chic, red chandeliers hanging under the sparkly seating.
The dining room has such a wonderful, elegant and warm ambiance to it.
If you buy Sky Harbor, the price includes everything you see here. Of course you could always re-design it, but why would anyone in their right mind do that?
And of course, up front is the lively piano bar area of the restaurant.
There’s Daryl behind the piano and I’m lucky to have been here on so many nights when someone is making wonderful music on the piano and Daryl and Mrs. Klu join in.
There’s Mrs. Klu’s washboard and a set list from the last show in here. The songs, “TheTimes They Are A Changing,” “I Shall Be Released” and “The Weight,” kind of predicted the future!
Lots of memories on the walls here in the piano bar section.
There’s an article from the PJ Star about the “Pickin’ On Thursday” nights in here, a Pabst neon sign glows from above, there’s a poster from when Daryl’s dad ran for sheriff and the last two are a poster and a painting of legendary Peoria musician, Jimmy Binkley.
I was lucky enough to see Jimmy tickle the ivories in here and I’ll always remember the memorial they had for Jimmy here after he died in 2016.
There’s a dining area just opposite the piano bar and Daryl showed me his jacket from back when he was a member of the Flying D’Rito Brothers.
I found a couple of interesting photos here on this table.
That’s legendary Peorian, Pete Vonachen in that Gipps Beer ad and there’s Daryl with Mrs. Klu!
There’s a large patio for outside dining and drinking, all set up for business.
Daryl is showing the blank 2020 reservation page. What a year!
So here’s the deal, you can buy Sky Harbor and everything in it for a song, which is ironic when you consider the piano bar! Or you can lease it to see how it goes and then buy it after the crowds flock in.
I promise you lots of publicity here on MBIP and the number to call about further information is: 309-868-2841. The price is negotiable and you can check out the details online by clicking here.
Save the Sky…Buy the Sky!