Discover Peoria awards business makers plates to recognize hometown production

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Breakfast and awards were distributed Thursday morning at the Black Band Distillery to five Central Illinois businesses recognized by the Illinois Office of Tourism.

This awards breakfast inducted the 2024 class of the Illinois Made Program, an initiative that promotes local Illinois businesses that Enjoy Illinois says, are “uniquely Illinoisan” and “set our locally made goods apart.”

The businesses that received these plates included Yordy’s Turkey Farm, Four30 Scones, Bear’s Bites, CXT Roasting Company, George’s Shoe Shine.

Yordy’s Turkey Farm and George’s Shoe Shine were the only two businesses that have been operating for 90 years or more.

Emotions were on display as representatives of each business walked up to accept each award.

Mitchell Popadziuk of CxT Roasting Company said that owning a business is more than just the product of production.

“Being an Illinois maker is more about yourself,” he said. “It’s about the community you build. It’s about the partners that you support. It’s the employment paying local people in your area and contributing to the local economy,”

George’s Shoe Shine received a standing ovation when their award was presented to them. What was the owner George Manias’ response?

“Come by and see me,” said the 92-year-old Manias who has been in the shoeshine business since 1946.

Awards given out at the breakfast came in the form of a colorful plate.