Starting with a boost: These 33 startups received Peoria RISE grants

Cassidy Waigand, Journal Star
·8 min read

Peoria's RISE program has awarded $1.4 million in grants to 118 area businesses.

RISE, which stands for recovery, income, startup and expansion, was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. In the startup category, 33 businesses were awarded.

More:These 49 businesses were awarded money by the city of Peoria. Here's how much

District 1

Avenue Surgical Instruments - $10,000

Avenue Surgical Instruments & Supplies plans to supply the medical community in Peoria with needed products and supplies. Owner Antinobe Evans aims to cut delivery times and cost for medical supplies.

Clean Kutz Landscaping - $15,000

After taking care of family yards for more than 15 years, Joseph Pate decided to start his own lawn maintenance company. He plans on providing year-round services − including snow removal − for an affordable price.

Jack's on Adams − $10,000

Owner Jack Berres opened the downtown restaurant in April of 2022, offering drinks, pizza, live music and more.

“I've always loved downtown. I've always known this is what I wanted to do,” Berres said

More:Why this 'Peoria boy' opened a bar and restaurant downtown

Jingle Holiday Lights LLC − $10,000

Jingle Holiday Lights helps customers install seasonal light displays. The service also removes lights once the holiday season ends.

Law office of Susan O'Neal − $10,000

Attorney Susan O’Neal has practiced law for over 30 years. Individuals can find support for cases involving Social Security, disability and unemployment benefits. O’Neal also works with cases involving the child welfare system and individuals with mental illness.

N & Out Market − $15,000

N & Out Market is a convenience store operating in Peoria.

Nae's Butter − $10,000

Customers can order body and hair butters from Nae’s Butter. The business uses shea butter combined with essential oil to create a variety of products.

Wipechamps LLC − $10,000

Wipe Champs offers both commercial and residential cleaning services.

'A great opportunity':How Peoria decided which businesses received thousands of dollars

District 2

17 Shotz Production and Photography Studio − $10,000

17 Shotz Production and Photography Studio offers filming, video, musical services, such as recording music, casting actors, creating and distributing press kits and more. The studio also offers photography services, which can be used for special events such as graduations or birthdays.

BB Realty Group − $10,000

The BB Realty Group works with buyers and sellers in the real estate market. The business has listings in the Chicago area, but is expanding its services to Peoria and Florida.

Gloss Up Beauty − $15,000

Gloss Up Beauty Co. offers nail services. Appointments can be made via text.

Jesus Speaks LLC − $10,000

Steven Snook founded Jesus Speaks LLC less than a year after being released from nearly two decades in prison. The business sells digital photo frames that rotate images to highlight a new Bible verse each day.

Peoria Esports Complex − $15,000

Video game players are lined up at monitors at Landmark Recreation Center, now Peoria Esports Complex, in this file photo from 2018.
Video game players are lined up at monitors at Landmark Recreation Center, now Peoria Esports Complex, in this file photo from 2018.

Situated inside the Landmark Recreation Center, the Peoria Esports Complex works to provide customers with a "premiere location for competitive video gaming." The complex is set up inside of a renovated theater room.

Radish Kitchen − $10,000

Upbeet Jams and Black Dog Metal Arts owner Jam Rohr is pursuing a new venture, Radish Kitchen, a whole food vegan catering and convenience store in the former Pho on Main II restaurant in the Campustown Shopping Center.
Upbeet Jams and Black Dog Metal Arts owner Jam Rohr is pursuing a new venture, Radish Kitchen, a whole food vegan catering and convenience store in the former Pho on Main II restaurant in the Campustown Shopping Center.

Customers at Radish Kitchen can find vegan meal options − including items like "nuts about these tacos," which uses a walnut and mushroom taco filling.

No 'angry vegan' at Radish Kitchen:New convenience store to open in Peoria

Sleeping Beauty Cosmetic − $10,000

Sleeping Beauty Cosmetic offers lash sets, care and removal services.

Tees and Things by B and Bre − $10,000

At Tees and Things, customers can find customized apparel and accessories.

Your Soul Essentials − $10,000

Your Soul Essentials is a beauty supply store.

District 3

Aries' Touch − $10,000

Aries' Touch is a beauty business that offers hair and skin products.

Beauty of Gifts − $10,000

Beauty of Gifts creates custom memorial wreaths, as well as personalized gift baskets. A portion of the proceeds go toward Your Lives Matter Outreach Ministry.

Indie Gift House − $10,000

Products line the shelves of the Indie Gift House.
Products line the shelves of the Indie Gift House.

Situated in Keller Station, Indie Gift House offers blankets, candles, accessories, plants and a variety of other trinkets and giftable items.

Mattress by Appointment - $10,000

Customers can find mattresses for "50-80% less than retail stores," according to Mattress by Appointment's Facebook page.

Sammie L. Nailz − $10,000

Sammie L. Nailz offers manicures, pedicures and a variety of gel designs. The goal is "to make sure all of my clients maintain a healthy nail structure and always leave happy!!"

The Queen of Squash − $10,000

Heather Wolbeck is opening a new restaurant in the former Cracked Pepper Cafe at 1108 W. Glen Ave. in the Metro Centre. The Queen of Squash will focus on health meals with locally-sourced ingredients.
Heather Wolbeck is opening a new restaurant in the former Cracked Pepper Cafe at 1108 W. Glen Ave. in the Metro Centre. The Queen of Squash will focus on health meals with locally-sourced ingredients.

Situated in the Metro Centre, the Queen of Squash aims to provide healthy, fresh and locally sourced meals.

New year, new business: These places to eat and drink are coming to Peoria in 2023

Visions by Flavis − $10,000

At Visions by Flavis, customers can order prints, apparel and more that feature digital artwork.

District 4

B2the9's Custom Designs − $15,000

B2the9's works to offer custom and unique gifts and products. Its website states, "we strive to service the last minute gifter, the graduate, local and national organizations, & everyonein between."

It’s a Vibe Selfie Studio − $10,000

LaToya and Johnny Jorden opened It’s a Vibe Selfie Studio at Northwoods Mall on April 1.
LaToya and Johnny Jorden opened It’s a Vibe Selfie Studio at Northwoods Mall on April 1.

It's a Vibe Selfie Studio is located inside the Northwoods Mall. The business's website states that its "fully immersive exhibits help you capture the perfect selfie to have you racking up likes on every platform."

This isn't Glamour Shots: A new selfie portrait studio opened in Northwoods Mall

Pamesh Soft Play − $10,000

Pamesh Soft Play works to offer customers "the best collection of kids soft play entertainment!!" The business will bring and set up bouncy houses, bumper cars and more child-safe activities for events.

Shelton's Signature Touch − $10,000

Fannie Shelton is working to offer notary services.

Timeless Events Social Studio − $10,000

We Hear You − $10,000

We Hear You works to improve the lives of those with disabilities by creating apps and technologies to help with accessibility.

District 5

A Royal Remembrance − $10,000

The Tinker Fairy of A Royal Remembrance raises her hands while dancing with little princesses at the "Freeze the Summer Ball" at Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette hotel on Saturday, June 29, 2019. [JOURNAL STAR/ GRACE BARBIC]
The Tinker Fairy of A Royal Remembrance raises her hands while dancing with little princesses at the "Freeze the Summer Ball" at Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette hotel on Saturday, June 29, 2019. [JOURNAL STAR/ GRACE BARBIC]

A Royal Remembrance works to bring popular princesses to life for birthday parties. According to its website, "Our princesses will enchant you and your party guests with their stories, music, games, and activities."

More:'Freeze the Summer Ball' gives kids a royal night they won't forget

Joey Olson − Country Financial − $10,000

At Country Financial, Joey Olson works to help those with insurance questions and needs.

More:Here's how much money 36 businesses in Peoria received from the city's RISE Grant

R. Murphy Studio − $10,000

R. Murphy Studio is a hair salon located in the Windsor Square shopping plaza. Ryan Murphy has over two decades of experience.

  • Address: 7310 N. University St., Peoria

  • Email: rk.murphy@yahoo.com

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 33 Peoria businesses received money from the city. Here's how much