'I'm gonna take a step back': Peoria restaurant owner explains why she closed her business

For a long time, Jam Rohr said she has been someone who pursued big goals and endeavors.

She co-founded and co-owns Black Dog Metal Arts, which held Peoria’s first female-run iron pour in 2019. Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rohr created Up Beet Jams and began offering premade vegan meals to the community.

The business eventually grew into Radish Kitchen – a restaurant situated in the Campustown Shopping Center. Over a year and a half after opening the storefront, though, Rohr said she is ready to “take a step back.”

“Somebody put it best. They said, like, ‘You don't have to be a community figure anymore. You can just be a neighbor,’” Rohr said, “and that's exactly what I would like to be.”

Radish Kitchen closed its doors after a final day on Dec. 9. While owning and operating a small business has come with many challenges, Rohr said she has “no regrets” looking back.

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Facing challenges which are 'out of our control'

Rohr was often candid with the community about the struggles of running a business. Though her social media accounts regularly highlighted the shop’s vegan dishes, decadent desserts and upcoming events, she was also up front when the business faced slow weeks.

The storefront held its grand opening in March 2022, and Rohr said the costs of running a business have only continued to rise.

Food became more expensive, rent increased and she said the cost of Ameren roughly tripled. While she tried to limit energy usage in the kitchen, she said there was only so much she could do.

“All of these like things that are out of our control continue to rise and rise,” Rohr said. “So, that was a big part of it.”

Rohr’s personal well-being played a major role in the decision, as well. She described herself as someone who wants “a nice, structured routine.” Operating a small business, however, she said schedules and plans change from day to day.

“It's just very hard to find the balance,” she said.

Rohr said it wasn’t uncommon for her to spend 20-hour days working. Her only consistent break from the restaurant was when she played roller derby, and Rohr said she missed out on spending time with family and friends.

“So, just finally having time really is like the key to all of it,” she said.

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'I'm gonna take a step back'

Rohr said customers and staff were understanding of the decision to close, despite being disappointed by the news. Customers stopped by to support the business one last time, and Rohr said some expressed excitement for her future.

“‘Oh, I'm very sad to hear you’re closing, but I can't wait to see the next big thing you're doing,’” Rohr recalled customers saying. “And I'm like, ‘Well, you're gonna be disappointed because it’s not - I'm gonna take a step back.”

Moving forward, Rohr said it was important to find a job that would offer a more defined work-life balance. She also hoped to find an organization she would be passionate about working for.

Peoria nonprofit ART Inc. seemed to fit the bill. Rohr said she will begin working full time as an executive assistant early next year. She said the position incorporates many of the skills she has developed at Radish Kitchen, while also taking some of the weight off her shoulders.

"Instead of like me having to do everything by myself, it's like I'm a part of a team and a group that's all working together," Rohr said. "So, I’m really excited for that."

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'I have no regrets'

Rohr does not plan on walking away from vegan cooking and baking completely, however. She said she is in the process of securing a cottage license that would allow her to operate out of her home.

Once she is able, Rohr expects to offer baked goods and foods on a more limited basis. She also plans to operate a booth at the Peoria Riverfront Market some weekends and said she hopes to host vegan fine dining events as a guest chef.

"The only thing I'm kind of hung up on right now is like I'm gonna change the name because it's no longer Radish Kitchen or Up Beet Jams," Rohr said. "So, I have to come up with something."

In the end, Rohr said she is continuing much of what she was already doing. The community will still be able to find her business on Instagram, but Rohr said she will remove the store’s Facebook page once closed.

Though the business is closing its doors, Rohr said “none of this was a failure.”

“The goal was never to make everybody vegan,” she said. “The goal was to contribute to the community something that didn't already exist here.”

She said she is proud of her staff and added that she has taken a lot away from the experience. Not coming from a wealthy background, Rohr described opening Radish Kitchen as a “huge leap,” but said, “I have no regrets about any of it.”

“I’ve learned so much and met so many wonderful people that sometimes I do think it's very important to take those leaps,” she said. “But what's imperative with it is being sure you have a support system in one way or another so that you're not alone in that leap.”

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Owner of Peoria restaurant closes business after challenges