Three up, three down: Pekin restaurants that opened or closed in 2023

Mike Kramer, Pekin Daily Times
·3 min read

In any given year, communities will bid farewell to some of its restaurants while welcoming new eateries.

Pekin appears to have had a balanced 2023 in that regard, with three restaurants closing their doors and three new establishments opening.

Pekin restaurants that closed in 2023

The Sweet Bean Coffee and Treats

Location: 510 Derby St.

Closing this bakery in May was a difficult decision for owner Audria Stork. However, she said that she and her assistant were ready to move on to “the next chapter of our lives.”

“We appreciate all of your love and support SO much – but we’ve had a great run, and it is time for this chapter to close,” Stork wrote in a Facebook post.

Stork’s next chapter seems to involve teaching, as she plans to host cookie decorating classes at event venue The Den at 510, which now occupies the building that previously housed The Sweet Bean.

Two P’s Pizza and Pub

Location: 930 S. Second St.

After a temporary closure in April, the pizza restaurant closed permanently in June.

"Closing the doors to our family business has been a heartbreaking experience," owner Christina Abatie wrote online. "So many emotions. So many memories. Navigating our way to the next chapter — still being written."

West Dublin Pub

Location: 507 Court St.

This downtown Irish-themed pub closed in May.

“The day has come, the papers are signed,” the owners wrote in a May 15 Facebook post. “This will be our last post as West Dublin Pub.”

The owners urged Pekin-area residents to support local small businesses. Their farewell Facebook post touted the building’s next occupant, Whiskey Taco, as “an exciting new restaurant concept coming to downtown Pekin.”

Pekin restaurants that opened in 2023

Whiskey Taco

The Gruden family, from left, Gibby, 12, Owen, 16, Luke, Lynzie and Brady, 18, stand outside their new restaurant Whiskey Taco, at 507 Court St. in Pekin, the former location of the West Dublin Pub.
The Gruden family, from left, Gibby, 12, Owen, 16, Luke, Lynzie and Brady, 18, stand outside their new restaurant Whiskey Taco, at 507 Court St. in Pekin, the former location of the West Dublin Pub.

Location: 507 Court St.

With the closing of West Dublin Pub at the location, Whiskey Taco introduced its “street-style” cuisine to downtown Pekin in August. The restaurant offers tacos and nachos inspired by a variety of cuisines, as well as a selection of appetizers, salads and grain bowls.

“We’re going to have some fresh, unique items we’re hoping to bring to Pekin,” said Whiskey Taco owner Lynzie Gruden. “Street-style food is something Pekin doesn’t have right now.”

Panda Express

Location: 2015 Court St.

The Chinese restaurant chain became the new occupant of the Court Street lot that had previously been home to two other eateries when it opened in March. Panda Express’ predecessors at the site were a Hardees franchise and a Maid-Rite restaurant.

“Asian food seems to be a big hit here,” said Nic Maquet, the City of Pekin’s chief building official. “Hopefully, with Panda opening, it will potentially draw in other businesses."

La Fiesta of Pekin

Location: 3500 Court St.

A locally owned and operated casual dining Mexican restaurant, La Fiesta opened its Pekin franchise in July. The store at Pekin’s East Court Village is La Fiesta’s third location, with other franchises in Morton and Canton.

“We are so happy to be coming (to) this great community with great people,” the owners wrote in a July post on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Pekin Daily Times: Three up, three down: Pekin restaurants that opened or closed in 2023