Avanti's to close prominent location in Peoria. Here's why
PEORIA — Avanti's announced Saturday it is permanently closing its location on West Main Street at the end of the business day on Saturday, April 9.
The owner cited changing consumer dining habits and traffic congestion.
“Closing a store location is never an easy decision," Avanti's owner and CEO Stefan Zeller said in a Facebook post. "However, the pandemic has changed the dining habits of consumers. Due to the traffic congestion at the intersection of Main and University, and other demographic and population shifts in the West Bluff area, our location on Main Street is no longer a viable alternative to service our guests."
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All employees at the 1301 W. Main St. location have been offered positions at other Avanti's restaurants in the Tri-County Area, the company said in the post on its Facebook page.
The two-story West Main Street site has been the home of an Avanti’s location since 1989. It is across the street from the original Avanti’s, which opened in 1966 and was later demolished. The Italian restaurants are known for their Gondola sandwiches.
Related: Once a college hangout, Avanti's has grown to five sites in central Illinois
Zeller also said two other Avanti's locations, at 4711 N. Rockwood Road and 8517 N. Knoxville Ave. in Peoria, will return to being open seven days a week beginning the week of April 10.
The restaurant also has locations at 2320 E. Washington St. in East Peoria and 3610 Kelly Ave. in Pekin.
Past coverage: Worker shortage forces temporary closures at Avanti's restaurants
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Iconic Peoria restaurant to close prominent location
