'A place to feel at home': New cocktail lounge coming to downtown Peoria space

In Downtown Peoria, a space that once housed old-fashioned arcade games will soon feature a different kind of vintage atmosphere.

Whitney Calvert is working to transform the former 8 Bit Arcade Bar location at 100 State St. into Matilda’s. The inside will sport a ’70s/’80s vibe, she said, with wood paneling, wallpaper, vintage décor and old-fashioned furniture.

“I spoke with someone at a vintage store, and they said that it feels like it will be like mismatched but familiar,” Calvert said, “and that's what I'm kind of going for.”

For Calvert, the goal is to create a “fun, relaxed environment” for the community to gather. The Peoria City Council voted to approve the location’s liquor license on March 26.

Next door, plans to bring new life to 112 State St. are also in the works.

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Creating a ‘funky and fun’ home away from home

When she was a child, Calvert said her aunt and her maternal grandmother lived just across the street from one another in Pekin.

She remembers playing Wiffle Ball in her grandmother’s yard and enjoying homemade milkshakes during the summer heat. On the weekends, she and her siblings visited to watch the latest episodes of popular shows.

Calvert said it was easy to stop by their aunt’s house, as well. They simply had to cross Matilda Street.

“That's where (the name) comes from – is like a place to feel at home when you're not at home, so I hope that I can provide that sort of comfort,” Calvert said. “That's really what I'm trying to do here, because we all have work and home, but like I'd like to provide a space where people can be with others and just like maybe put down their phones and play a game.”

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The space is broken into multiple rooms, which helps create a “homey” atmosphere, according to Calvert.

She has avoided modern-looking furniture and décor and has instead found older pieces that fit the space’s theme. Customers will find various coffee tables and couches to sit back and relax. Calvert also plans to include family photos and prints of her grandmother’s artwork in the space.

For Calvert, the goal is to create an everyday place for people to gather – rather than a lounge which feels as though it is only meant for special occasions. Overall, she wants the space “to feel like it has its own personality.”

“I just want something that's just like a little bit funky and fun and not so serious, hopefully,” she said.

Calvert said the food menu will revolve around shareable dishes. She said customers may find shrimp cocktails, Chex mix, charcuterie boards and more.

For the cocktail menu, Calvert plans to create drinks inspired by the ‘70s and ‘80s. She said customers will find signature cocktails but said she expects to serve seasonally based drinks, as well.

In the summers, for example, Calvert wants to offer ice-cream-based drinks reminiscent of the milkshakes she enjoyed at her grandmother’s home on Matilda Street.

The business will also feature a variety of non-alcoholic cocktails and drink options. Calvert said she has noticed that more people are drinking less or are embracing alcohol-free lifestyles.

At Matilda’s, Calvert said she wants to create a space where everyone feels welcome.

“I don't want (alcohol) to be the focus,” Calvert said. “I want the focus to be spending time with people that you care about.”

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‘A really exciting adventure’

Calvert’s bartending experience began at TGI Fridays in Peoria. She later moved to London, England, for school and eventually found a new bartending job.

“We had 250 cocktails on the menu. You had to know them all by heart,” she said. “So, it was like (a) very intense style of bartending as far as like you had to know everything and the training was really great.”

Though she did not study hospitality in school, Calvert said she “found something that I enjoyed” when it came to bartending. She said she is especially drawn to creating atmospheres and spaces where people can gather and connect.

Calvert worked at establishments including Cayenne and BLACK BAND Distillery after returning to the area and is currently at Weaver’s in North Peoria. Pat Sullivan – who owns the State Street building and is president of Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery – said Calvert has also offered input on specialty drinks at Kelleher's pop-up event.

“She's very top notch – one of the best mixologists around,” Sullivan said.

Calvert lived in the Warehouse District for more than half a decade. After 8 Bit Arcade Bar moved to 619 SW Water St., she knew she wanted to bring a business of her own to 100 State St.

The biggest challenge, Calvert said, was having the confidence to try something new and pursue her dream. She said she has been fortunate, though, to receive support and encouragement from family and friends.

“It's going to be a really exciting adventure, and I am super excited about it,” she said. “But every day there's something you find out a little bit more about, and so I guess it's just a really like cool journey to learn part of the industry that maybe I don't know everything about – even though I've been working in the industry for so long. So, it's exciting and it's scary, but that's a good thing, too.”

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'Business draws business’

Next door, Sullivan said plans to bring new life to 112 State St. are also in the works. The space was formerly home to Bearded Owl Brewing – which closed at the end of 2023.

Sullivan said there have been discussions with Bearded Owl owner Nick Babcock about bringing a new business to the space.

“He's talking with the people that want to do it with him,” Sullivan said. “And so, we're excited.”

According to Sullivan, Babcock’s business partner will bring a history of crafting specialty drinks to the new establishment. He said the business expects to feature a larger food selection, as well, and plans to expand to include a private dining area.

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Looking at State and Water Streets, Sullivan said he is excited to see the block’s growth.

“People say, ‘Well, don't you feel that bringing other food and drinks right next door to you hurts your business?’” Sullivan said. “No, because they pay the same taxes. They pay the same stuff that I do, and it just ups everybody's game and business draws business.”

Having lived in the area for several years, Calvert looks forward to being a part of this growth.

“This neighborhood feels like home to me, and I want to support it,” Calvert said. “Like, I love that new warehouses and warehouse apartments are going in, and I know that this neighborhood will be growing. But also, I lived down here for almost seven years, so it just really does feel like a place that I want to help the community grow.”

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Two new businesses are coming to State Street in downtown Peoria