Junction City Pub officially opened in early June. Although the bar has only been open about two months, owner Kathy Zabek said she is already beginning to see regular customers.

Visitors range in age from around 23 to 89 years old, and Zabek said she has watched as complete strangers strike up conversations.

“We just want a nice, comfortable, local, neighborhood bar is all we want,” she said. “I don’t want anything too high-end. I don't want anything too low-end — just a nice, middle-of-the-road, comfortable spot for everyone to meet.”

Zabek hopes this nice, comfortable space will become a gathering spot for those in the community. She also looks forward to working alongside other businesses to invigorate Junction City.

Brand new

Located in Suite 13 of Junction City, the pub is in space that once housed Vero Italiano. Going inside, visitors will find walls once decorated in elaborate wallpaper now have wood paneling and fresh paint. Bright, glittering crystal chandeliers have been replaced by the soft, warm glow of Emerson-style fixtures.

“The only thing that we kept — the ceilings, the floors — you can piece together some of the floors. You can still see where the Novu (Sushi) counter used to be — and the bathrooms," Zabek said. "Those were the only things that we really kept. Everything else is brand new.”

Zabek, who has spent most of her life in Peoria, said she has worked in the bar and restaurant scene since she was around 20 years old. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, she stayed home.

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As time passed, Zabek joked that her husband was ready to get her “off the couch.” The couple agreed it was time for her to get back out and pursue something new, so they began looking for a location for her own business.

After considering a couple of potential options, they signed the paperwork for Junction City in late April. Construction started in early May, and Zabek said she was surprised when they got almost everything ready in under a month.

“I didn't really have any issues getting anything in, which is shocking to me,” Zabek said. “Especially with, I mean, everyone's having issues getting anything in right now. So, I feel pretty blessed.”

Playing in the same sandbox

Junction City Pub is situated just a few yards away from Tavern on Prospect. Because of this, Zabek said customers often see the two bars as rivals, competing for customers.

“I don’t feel there’s a competition," Zabek said. "But I know that some of the customers are like, ‘Oh, you’re going to put them out of business,’ or, ‘Oh, they’re going to put you out of business,’ and I don’t see it that way. I see it as, you know, listen, we can all play in the same sandbox and get along and bring a lot to the area.”

Zabek also said the usual clientele at Tavern on Prospect and Junction City Pub differs. This kind of business-hopping and foot traffic is exactly what Zabek wants to bring to Junction City.

“I want to see everyone succeed and see, you know, everyone bring more business,” she said.

When Zabek first began setting up her pub, she said Tavern and other businesses in Junction City were planning to host a block party. She said they invited her to join the event, which she said was a great experience.

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In the future, Zabek wants these collaborative events to continue. She said she is hoping to organize another block party for Sept. 11, with funds raised going to military charities.

And while Zabek is all about reinvigorating Junction City and supporting its businesses, she said she is more than happy to engage in some friendly competition when it is for a good cause.

“I mean, hopefully in September we can still do a dunk tank,” she said. “I’d like to do two dunk tanks and do competing. I think that would be a blast.”

Keeping it easy

At Junction City Pub, guests will find drinks like Michelob Ultras, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, Jameson, Budweiser and some bourbons.

“I’m not trying to be a Peoria Heights, where I would have a whole bunch of specialty frou-frou drinks,” she said. “We kind of just want to keep it easy, simple, easy, cost-efficient for everybody, including me.”

Visitors will also find a tightly limited food selection. Aside from bar snacks, Zabek said she will only offer pizza from Weaver’s Fresh Food and Drink.

Zabek said she has not been able to offer the pizza just yet, however. The pizzas come to Junction City Pub frozen, which Zabek said Weaver’s has not tried before.

“We've had some hits and misses,” Zabek said. “We're kind of learning what works, what doesn't work frozen — without taking away the quality of his pies.”

Despite the learning curve, Zabek said she expects to be able to offer Weaver’s pizza consistently starting in early August.

Zabek is still waiting on gaming machines for the space but expects to get them approved soon. Once they arrive, she plans on expanding her hours to be from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Saturday.

Looking back at the past months, Zabek said she is proud of what she and her husband were able to create. She described Junction City Pub as a nice and “comfortable” area for the community to come and gather.

“We've had days where like no one in here knows each other and by the time they leave, everyone knows each other,” Zabek said, “which has been kind of fun to see. Someone sitting down here joking and laughing with someone sitting down there that they never met before, so I’ve enjoyed that.”

Junction City Pub

• Location: 5901 N. Prospect Road, Suite 13, Peoria

• Phone: (309) 570-1969

• Hours (as of 7/28): 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/junctioncitypub/

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: How Junction City Pub opened in Peoria's Junction City