Peoria restaurant told to leave location, distillery earns two medals

Good morning, foodie friends,

This week, the Peoria-area has cooked up plenty of food news for us to digest. So, let’s dig right in.

Peoria restaurant owners say they were told to vacate location

Highly Flavored opened for business inside of Landmark Recreation Center last October. On May 8, however, owner Jeremy Sargent said they were told to leave the location by the end of the day.

“The vision of Landmark and Highly Flavored , it did not coincide," Cierra Sargent said. "I feel like everything happens for a reason, especially in life.”

The Sargents are working to open a new location at the Twin Towers Mall in Downtown Peoria – with a goal of opening in July.

A message from the Landmark Management Team noted: “We are exploring options for the future and are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead."

'Forced out': Peoria restaurant says it was told to vacate Landmark Recreation Center spot

Mother-son team operate Peoria restaurant

Seven years have passed since MD’s Sports Bar and Grill first opened in Peoria . The business is operated by mother-son team MaryBeth Milburn and Dan Gilfillan.

Over the years, the mother-son team has overcome challenges and formed close friendships at MD’s. And while there are times they may disagree, Gilfillan said the experience is “still rewarding and fun.”

“There's moments that we love each other even more and say, ‘I'm so glad I'm doing this with you,’ and that's a good thing – that’s the best feeling a mom can have, for sure,” Milburn said.

'The best feeling a mom can have': Mother-son team operates this Peoria restaurant

Peoria distillery earns two medals in spirits competition

Two products from BLACK BAND Distillery earned medals at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition . The business’s Straight Wheat Whiskey received a gold medal and its Peoria Bourbon secured a silver medal.

“We're really happy with the outcome this year,” said Chris Ober, founder and principal distiller at BLACK BAND.

More: Peoria distillery earns two medals in 'prestigious' spirits competition

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria restaurant told to leave location, distillery earns two medals