New home furnishing store opens in former Bergner's spot at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie

A former Bergner's storefront in Peoria has new life.

On Wednesday, At Home officially opened its new location in The Shoppes at Grand Prairie in Peoria. The store, which is in the space that most recently housed Mattress Liquidators, offers customers nearly 87,000 square feet of home décor. 

Store Director Zachary Kohen described June 29 as a soft open for the store. At Home’s grand opening event does not take place until July 16.

Because of this, Kohen said he did not believe the store would see very many people its first day. He said he was overjoyed by the community’s response, however.  

“We had line out the door right at the get go,” Kohen said. “The community has more than welcomed us into the area for sure.”

Local:With her grandparents as guide, a Peoria woman opens a new home-furnishings store

At Home is a Texas-based company with more than 200 locations. Founded in 1979, the company specializes in home furnishings and décor. Customers can find living room furniture, outdoor seating and decorations, wall décor, rugs, curtains, seasonal items and more.

Kohen said one customer described the company “like it was Sam's Club for home goods.” He said one thing which makes At Home unique is that it offers customers many of the same products all year round, rather than focusing mainly on seasonal décor.

“So, if your grandma buys a little knick knack for her table at At Home and you break it, you don't have to freak out about, ‘Oh my God. Can I find that? I have to look online to try to find it,’” Kohen said. “You know that you can come back to At Home and get it.”

For the grand opening, Kohen said the first 50 people to arrive who are Insider Perks members will receive a surprise gift card, which could range from $20 to $200. There will also be deals throughout the store.

According to Kohen, members also receive emails and notifications about sales and coupons. He said customers can sign up to become an Insider Perks member either online or in store.

Kohen said At Home’s other locations are based mainly in the St. Louis and Chicago areas. Aurora is the next closest At Home location in Illinois.  

“We're kind of on an island from all of them out here,” Kohen said, “but it's also great because we get to bring At Home to this area of the state.”

More:Why there is optimism a Bergner's store might reopen for business

Bergner's at Grand Prairie was considered the flagship of that chain. The two-story department store closed in 2018, part of the liquidation of Bergner's parent company, Bon-Ton Stores Inc.

Connect with Cassidy Waigand by emailing her at CWaigand@gannett.com or by following her on Twitter at @justxaxwriter.