The Diary— The Start

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

I took possession of the shop that will be the home of River City Reading Room on Friday, January 2nd.  My sister took a photo of me standing in front of 315 Main Street in downtown Peoria.  I am dangling the keys from my right hand and smiling broadly.  If felt right to memorialize this day as it marks a key point in the journey to opening the business.

There is much to do both inside and outside the store.  Inside, I will work with my friend Krzysztof, a very talented contractor, to upgrade the shop.  Walls need to be touched up and painted, ceiling tiles replaced, and picture rails hung in the gallery.  Krzysztof will build a point of sale counter.  After that, we will purchase and assemble bookshelves and sprinkle in a few comfortable armchairs and sofas so customers can peruse books that interest them and read what they have purchased.  There is also the not-so-small matter of purchasing the 3,000 books that will form River City Reading Room’s initial inventory.

Outside, at my sister’s suggestion, I am planning to place some planters along the plateglass windows and perhaps even a little table.    I need to hang a sign, clean the awning, and paint the area around the windows. I want the Reading Room to contribute to the revitalization of the 300 block of Main Steet by being not only a warm and welcoming bookstore but also a bright, attractive storefront that smiles back at the city. 

This block of Main Street has great potential.  It is one of the only cohesive stretches of old storefronts remaining downtown and faces the county courthouse with its beautiful Sailors and Soldiers Monument anchoring what will be a revitalized plaza.  The Caterpillar Building sits on the next corner adding a bit of heft to the scene.  

OK—it’s  time to test some paint colors on the store’s walls.  I’ll update you on this journey in subsequent posts. 

Happy Reading,

Chuck