Warehouse District Businesses Report Growth
Retail and hospitality operators in Peoria should note that road changes and developer projects are drawing visitors to the district.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Modern Gentleman, a business in Peoria's Warehouse District, marked its two-year anniversary on Monday, November 2, 2026. Local businesses in the district credit developer activity and road changes for recent growth.
Why it matters
For Peoria operators, the district's recent gains suggest that developer investment and street reconfiguration can draw foot traffic and new tenants to a commercial corridor. Owners weighing a location in a changing area can use this as a case study, though the source reports the shift without quantifying its effect on sales.
The Modern Gentleman has operated for two years, and Graweys Glass has operated for 26 years, with owner Mark Bryant working there for the full period. The source does not provide revenue, foot-traffic, or vacancy figures for the district.
The players
Baldovin Construction
A developer active in Peoria's Warehouse District whose projects helped attract new businesses to the area.
Ryan Spain
A Illinois state representative who serves as head chair of the Downtown Development Corporation of Peoria and previously focused on the Warehouse District as an at-large Peoria City Council member.
The details
Downtown Peoria's changes include converting one-way streets to two-way traffic, improving sidewalks, bringing in restaurants, and renovating buildings. Developers such as Baldovin Construction have attracted businesses to the Warehouse District, and business owners report that the changes have brought more visitors. Graweys Glass customers began noticing increased visits around 2024 after the district changes took effect.
Timeline
Around 2024: Graweys Glass customers began noticing increased visits after district changes.
Monday, November 2, 2026: The Modern Gentleman celebrated its two-year anniversary.
Market Landscape
Peoria's Warehouse District has been reshaped by two-way street conversions, sidewalk upgrades, and developer-led projects such as those by Baldovin Construction. Businesses in the corridor are now reporting growth, placing the district among the city's active downtown revitalization efforts.
Operators considering a Peoria storefront should weigh the Warehouse District's recent gains against their own lease and traffic assumptions. Commercial owners in the corridor should watch whether road and developer changes continue to draw tenants.
The takeaway
Owners in revitalizing districts can treat infrastructure changes, such as converted streets and upgraded sidewalks, as signals worth tracking when evaluating a location. Track your own visit counts and sales before and after district changes to measure whether the corridor is working for your business.
Further reading
For more on the local business openings and closings shaping the city, see Openings & Closings in Peoria.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WMBD 31 Peoria.
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