By Gianna Njau
PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – Peoria Mayor Rita Ali is optimistic a long-awaited south side grocery store will finally move forward.
CJ Harvest has a soft opening scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, with a grand opening a week later on Friday, Oct. 30.
Ali hopes the supermarket in the 200 block of South Western Avenue can bring fresh food and new activity to South Peoria.
“I want this project to work. I’m optimistic, and I think it will create jobs, resources, food, and opportunities for Peoria residents,” the mayor said.
Ali also noted the ongoing need to address the food desert in the area.
The shuttered Kroger on North Wisconsin Avenue in the East Bluff used to serve thousands of south side families.
Declining population points to the challenges facing south side businesses and families. Documents from the Peoria South Choice Neighborhoods website shows South Peoria has experienced a 17.7% drop in population over the past two decades. The population was 5,369 in 2000, and by 2023, that number had fallen to 4,663.
As for CJ Harvest, a mechanics lien was filed against owner Chuck Brown by Baldovin Construction, which claims Brown owes more than $338,000.
The lien brings the total amount claimed to around $658,000.
Brown said construction costs have increased by approximately $225,000 to meet requirements from the city, its fire department and the public health departments.
Brown has received numerous grants from the state, county, and local governments to create the grocery story. He said the lien was placed as a standard contractor practice and that he will resolve the matter.
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