East Peoria’s Levee District began its existence when Caterpillar began to shrink.
Until the 1990s, the district had been mostly comprised of about one million square feet of Caterpillar factories and offices. When buildings were demolished and the site was cleared, the city was left with vacant brown space,” according to Rick Swan, the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“The city fathers, starting with (East Peoria Mayor) Jim Spinder, started looking at the area and said ‘We need to do something,’ Swan added.
Perhaps because the area had been home to an industrial complex, the city’s initial plan was to develop an industrial park there. But the East Peoria City Council saw other opportunities in the area’s central location, according to Ty Livingston, the city s director of planning and development.
Shoppers in East Peoria’s Levee District can look forward to a new breakfast option this spring.
The commercial real estate agency Cullinan Properties, Ltd. announced on Wednesday that Eggcellent Café will open next month. The restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch and will occupy a 2,406 square-foot space adjacent to Guilty Pleasures Cupcake Bakery and Sola Salon Studios.
Eggcellent Café will feature healthy, organic food for their breakfast and lunch offerings. Cage-free eggs will be a staple on the restaurant’s menu, along with such fare as avocado toast, pancakes and French toast.
“Everything will be freshly made in-house,” said Eggcellent Café co-owner Tim Halili. “We don’t believe in frozen food, and don’t even have a freezer in our restaurant kitchen. We’re very particular about every ingredient that goes into our menu items.”