Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
Jonah’s Seafood House, Oyster Bar, and Market
Last year, I remember a colleague of mine was in town and we were trying to decide where to go to dinner. She is originally from Alabama and LOVES seafood. I recommended Jonah’s Oyster Bar since it was close to the hotel. She was hesitant to get oysters at a place that was right on the river. I reassured her that the owners do not get their products from the river…..everything is flown in fresh daily and prepared so well. She ordered….and enjoyed along with rave reviews about the experience there. Another hidden gem in our community that every person must try.
I was able to grab lunch there this week – it never dissappoints!
The skyline and riverviews make the time even better. Not into seafood? No problem. They have so many other options that will make you want to come back for more. One of the best options they added is their market. Come by and get their signatures dressings or sauces, seafood by the pound…..
Locally owned and one of our favorites.
Expertise Matters – Adapting and Thriving in 2021
2020 taught Realtors many lessons especially how to adapt with how we showed homes, held Open Houses, and getting your home ready to sell. Before the pandemic, a virtual showing was not as popular as an in-person home showing for us. Open Houses were always in person with no protocols in place unless the host had them in place (we always take safety precautions FYI). Listing appointments were so often, we could not keep up!
Enter the shut down in March 2020…..Realtors were deemed essential workers. This was huge for us. People needed to still find a place to live. Many were uncomfortable to leave their homes, so we adapted and brought the viewings to them! Using a stabilizer tool to keep our phones/cameras still while walking through a property and giving a LIVE tour, helped more than we could have imagined. We have given open house tours like this before however not as interactive. Open houses are still being held with many safety protocols in place: wear a mask, do not touch light switches or door knobs, sign in so contract tracing can be done.
We will continue to accommodate our clients’ needs, making all safety protocols for them our number one priority. Now more than ever, expertise matters.
Look for The Teal Door to Happiness
Looking for a unique, local store who sells one of a kind items is something we love to find. Drive into Washington in The Square and look for the teal door which leads you to The Goldenfinch Boutique.
When you walk in, you are taken to another dimension of plants, home decor, jewelry, stationery, soaps, perfumes….so much more. You are greeted with a happy vibe from minute you open the door. If you are in the market for sprucing up your decor, finding something for a friend (or yourself), or ready to start a love of plants – please stop by and walk in. You will be glad you did!
Once Upon a Time…..
Once upon a time, in a market not too far away, the was a land of more inventory than buyers. More sellers had their homes on market than buyers who were looking. Fast forward to Present Day. We have many buyers looking for their new home and not enough inventor for them to choose from. I have heard from people asking why this and the answer is….I really don’t know. I DO know that if you are in the market to purchase a new property, be ready to sell your home as the inventory is needed!
Obviously, this is not a fairy tale ending for everyone. The house you love goes on the market and then it’s gone! Our latest market stats (Attached graphic is from the week of January 3-9, 2019 vs. 2020) show how new listings are down however pendings, showings, and solds are up. January used to be the slowest month. Now, it’s the new June!
If you have been on the fence to move to a larger home, downsize, or even want to talk about it, let us know. We can help you get your storybook closing.
HAPPY 40 YEARS ST. JUDE RUNS!
When someone moves to Peoria, they are introduced to the community and all it has to offer. A nice surprise to some, is the culture, growth, and support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Our company founder, Jim Maloof, was friends with Danny Thomas (who founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis). Jim made it his life’s passion to do what he could to make St. Jude synonymous with Peoria.
There are countless fundraising events that bring in millions of dollars for the hospital. One that holds a special place in my heart is the St. Jude Runs. The first year in 1981 was a few people who ran from Memphis to Peoria. Crazy, right? As it grew, more runs were born, making it a huge fundraising event for this cause. I have participated in it since 2003. Our daughter was 6 months old and healthy. What a better way to help these kids and their families? We fundraise year round to do our part. Our daughters have become very active in fundraising for St. Jude, too!
It’s amazing to see the growth and support of this event. It’s the 40th year of something that started with one crazy idea.
Amazing Greek cuisine will make you say OPA!!!!!!
If you’re anything like our family, the age old question of “What’s For Dinner?” is usually a given response of “I don’t know, What are you thinking, or even I’m not hungry”. Since we have been trying not to duplicate where we order carry out, we always seem to agree on a few places. Tonight’s winner was Olympia. Locally owned – authentic Greek cuisine meets American dining. Everything is fresh and made to order.
They had the falafel that I love, amazing hand battered onion rings, steak kabobs, brussel sprouts….although we miss the flaming cheese (Saganaki) and dining in, the service was friendly as ever and the meal was perfect. If you haven’t tried Olympia, please do.
Getting lost in a store you love!
I didn’t REALLY get lost, however when I know I’m going to RC Outfitters, I make sure I go without my husband and daughters because – I’ll be while. It’s where I have always bought my running shoes, majority of my running gear, and other odds and ends one may need. Although the back wall is lined with shoes, it;s so much more!
You are ALWAYS greeted by a friendly associate who directs you to who can help. It’s not only for those who love running. They offer many different lines of attire for yoga and other outdoor activities.
They support our community with races and training programs, making their best to help improve the lives of others.
We have watched it grow from a tiny store on Main/Sheridan to their 2nd home in The Heights and now The Warehouse District in Downtown Peoria.
Make RC Oufitters a destination. You will be glad you did.
Relocating out of the area or into the area. We’ve Got You Covered.
The New Oxford Dictionary defines Relocation as: the act of moving to a new place and establishing one’s home or business there. Our version of Relocation is a lot longer and more in depth however, here’s the Cliff’s Notes Version. The Suzanne Miller Team knows relocation – whether moving into the area or out of the area, we’ve got you covered. We deal with many new faces who are new to the area. Some have relocation companies, some do not. Some are referrals from past clients. They know that not only do we help those moving into the area, we help those moving out of the area.
Having us list your home is one of the best decisions you can make. Not only is our company well versed in Relocation, our team is incredibly knowledgeable of the market and how to market your home. There are so many odds and ends to complete from the time you find out you’re transferring – we make it easy on you so you can concentrate on what’s important to you. There are times we have been lucky where a client has moved away and they come back. It means the world to us when they reach out to have us help them make the transition seamless and smooth.
Cheers to a Great Year!
Typically when we mention 2020 – many not so great things happened as Covid took over. Our industry was unsure how this would go. However, when it came to Real Estate, it exploded. We saw the lowest interest rates in history. There were more buyers than inventory. Some of our buyers said it was being home for maybe too long with each other, needing more space.Bottom line – we had the best year ever!
We had more buyers relocating to the area and more buyers deciding that the Greater Peoria Area is where they wanted to remain. We could not have done it without our clients and our team. Thank you for making 2020 a year to raise a glass to. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Please raise a glass and help us say THANK YOU!
CHEERS!!!!!
Worth the Wait!
If you are like me, you will wait in line at the store that offers what you want…even 5-10 people deep. I had to grab a few stocking stuffers this afternoon and decided to go back to Relics. Yes. I have been there three times since Thanksgiving as it’s the only store in town like it. It’s quirky, different, unique, fun, and LOCAL. The space is small however it’s packed with the best items. One could spend a long period of time in there….as I walked out, the line had grown even longer. Customers were 6 feet apart, sharing conversation and asking each other what they were trying to find. It’s local stores like this that really bring out the best in our community.
https://www.facebook.com/relicspeoria1
