'New chapter': Coffee business moving to closed Peoria Heights performing arts center
PEORIA — A local business owner has plans for the Betty Jayne Brimmer Center for the Performing Arts in Peoria Heights.
Cafe Santa Rosa, currently located in Junction City Shopping Center, plans to open in the space Sept. 5. Its final day of business in Junction City will be Aug. 26.
"Relocating to Peoria Heights represents a new chapter in our journey and underscores our dedication to growth and positive change," said the owners of Cafe Santa Rosa, Heber and Marta Vidal, in an email detailing their plans. The relocation was driven by declining foot traffic at their location in Junction City and a desire to expand, they said.
A library from 1936 to 2000, the building at 1327 E. Kelly Ave. in Peoria Heights was purchased in 2019 by medtech entrepreneur Kim Blickenstaff's KDB Group, which renovated it into a performing arts center.
Early this year, KDB Group abruptly announced plans to pull out of projects in the Peoria area, and the Betty Jayne closed Jan. 15. Listed for $1.9 million, the property is currently listed as pending.
Mike Phelan, mayor of Peoria Heights, said he is excited about a new business coming to the Betty Jayne. He met with the Vidals recently to discuss their plan when they applied for a liquor license.
"What they've explained to me is it's primarily a coffee shop in the day time, with the focus on different nights of the week of music and dance," said Phelan. "They mentioned some South American types of music, like tango and flamenco. It's a whole new type of venue that is coming to the Heights."
The Vidals, who were both born in Colombia, got into the coffee business as a way to help people living in a country devestated by the drug trade. Poverty is a strong motivator that induces people to grow the coca plant — the raw ingredient of cocaine — and the Vidals wanted to provide farmers a different route to prosperity.
The couple purchased a farm and sold coffee beans grown there and by neighboring farms for several years. In 2020, they opened the shop in Junction City where they sell coffee by the cup and beans in bags imprinted with the story of the farmer who grew them.
More: Abandoned and for sale: Here's what we know about 12 properties connected to Kim Blickenstaff
Leslie Renken can be reached at (309) 370-5087 or lrenken@pjstar.com. Follow her on Facebook.com/leslie.renken.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Betty Jayne Brimmer Center in Peoria Heights reopening as coffee shop
