WEST PEORIA — A cannabis lounge is poised to consider around the legendary but shuttered Sky Harbor Steak House.
On Tuesday night time, the West Peoria City Council will take into consideration several ordinance improvements — including a exclusive-use allow — that would allow the development of the Substantial Harbor Hashish Celebration Center at 1321 N. Park Road. The business enterprise wouldn’t sell marijuana.
Fairly, the site would function as a club that would enable visitors to provide and smoke their very own authorized pot though listening to bands and if not socializing.
“I imagine it is really going to be an fascinating principle,” Mayor Jim Dillon informed the Journal Star.
Forward of Tuesday’s meeting, he declined to disclose the identities of the buyers, apart from to say they are involved with a marijuana dispensary in central Illinois. Having said that, he explained, the traders have fulfilled with the town thoroughly.
“They have got their act alongside one another,” Dillon stated.
Hashish lounges have been popping up in many states. By Illinois legislation, area communities can control these kinds of enterprises. Illinois has just just one, the Luna Lounge, which opened final weekend in the village of Sesser around the southern suggestion of the condition. A cannabis lounge has been proposed for Springfield as perfectly.
Quite a few months in the past, West Peoria was approached by a group of investors looking for a website for a 1-time cannabis-themed occasion, Dillon reported. Even though surveying attributes with adequate area, they appreciated what they saw at Sky Harbor. Last yr, the Klusendorf family, which had operated the restaurant at the web site due to the fact 1996, mentioned health and fitness woes were prompting them to shut operations and put the assets up for sale.
As talks progressed, the investors determined to find a everlasting existence at Sky Harbor, Dillon said. They are in the process of obtaining the residence, explained operator Daryl Klusendorf, who also declined to divulge their identities.
“These people are going to spend some significant money and do some renovations,” Klusendorf mentioned.
The target is to open up the lounge this calendar year, Dillon reported. At very first, the company very likely would emphasis on occasional activities, but in time would supply regular several hours, Dillon mentioned.
The High Harbor will not make it possible for people under 21, nor will alcohol be marketed. Dillon believes functions would cease by 10 p.m.
Consumers would fork out a charge to enter, or they could acquire memberships, Dillon said. However Substantial Harbor are unable to functionality as a dispensary — the condition vets each dispensary licenses, which the buyers are not trying to get for that internet site — it could promote cigarette smoking paraphernalia, this kind of as pipes and papers, along with tobacco and tobacco products. Within, company would have entry to various lounges for socializing, alongside with a bandstand for musical functions.
An outside space would permit for party distributors and food vans. On the other hand, all cannabis consumption would be confined indoors, Dillon claimed.
For its aspect, West Peoria could make revenue from revenue tax on tobacco and other goods marketed at Significant Harbor, Dillon explained. He also reported traders have indicated a long run drive to probably seek licensing for a dispensary in other places in West Peoria.
Moreover, Dillon mentioned, the West Peoria organization local community would benefit from a return of action at the deal with.
“It really is having a developing that is been closed because COVID and opening it again up once more,” he said.
Dillon said he expects the council to vote favorably on the ordinance changes Tuesday. He has not listened to any objections to the cannabis lounge.
“I have read people say, ‘I’d a great deal fairly see anything like that than a further tavern,'” Dillon mentioned.
Extra:West Peoria pharmacy just underwent a 7-figure renovation job. Here is what’s new.
In addition to the Superior Harbor name, other areas of the business enterprise would pay homage to the history of Sky Harbor, which the Klusendorfs previously operated just outside the Peoria airport. For occasion, just one area would be called “The Skyway Lounge,” while yet another would be dubbed “The Cockpit.” The outside stretch – alongside the property’s huge parking lot – is to be acknowledged as “The Tarmac.”
As for are living tunes, the new procedure would be continuing a tradition very long helmed by banjo-picker Klusendorf and occasionally accented by his washboard-strumming mother, Ellen Klusendorf. The bandstand is to be recognized as The Klusendorf Stage.
“They purchasers appear to want to keep some of the character of the previous spot. We’re surely in favor of that,” explained Daryl Klusendorf. “We have had a existence in West Peoria for additional than 25 many years.”
Does he plan to stop by The Klusendorf Stage?
“I would surely dust off the banjo,” he stated with a chuckle. “And mom could bring her washboard.”
Phil Luciano is a Journal Star columnist. He can be reached at pluciano@pjstar.com and 309-686-3155. Observe him on Facebook and Twitter.
