10-05-2025
Peoria Heights businesses gear up for a busy summer
PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD) — It's starting to feel a lot like summer in central Illinois, and that means plenty of people will be out and about in Peoria Heights.
Lauren Blasek owns W.E. Sullivan's, an Irish eatery on Prospect Road, where a lot of shops and restaurants can be found.
'When the weather's nice, we do see an influx of customers. People want to sit outside, and the walkability of the Heights is a huge factor for traffic for us,' she said.
In addition to local establishments, there will be plenty of events in the village throughout the summer months, from a fine art fair to live concerts.
She thinks the winter months make summer even more great.
'The summertime just brings people together and that's what we love, the community that we're in,' she said.
There's also a new restaurant in the Heights.
Casa Agave opened May 1, and is owned by Jose Leon, who also owns Jalapenos in the Metro Centre.
Leon described the restaurant as 'modern Mexican cuisine' with a large selection of tequila. There's even a glass wall with all sorts of tequila in the restaurant.
He said they hand-squeeze the juices they use for fresh margaritas, palomas, and spicy mezcalitas.
He thanked the Peoria-area community for the support the restaurant has received.
'Our patio's been busy right when we open at 11. It's been busy until we close every night since we've been open. The weather helps us, especially a new restaurant here in the Heights.'
Newly elected Mayor Matt Wigginton recently took over for Mike Phelan, who retired from public service. Wigginton is excited to continue Phelan's work, and he's also ready for a busy summer.
'We've been waiting for your meteorology team, Chris, Molly and Nathan, to get some warm weather here. I'm happy to report it's starting to heat up in the Heights, and we've got a lot planned for the residents and our neighboring community,' he said.
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