If you live here in Peoria, you no doubt heard about the fire at one of Peoria’s oldest and most iconic pizza restaurants and live music hub, Peoria Pizza Works. As of last night, when I was putting this together, the cause of the fire was still unknown, but there is extensive damage that early estimates could be as much as one a quarter of a million dollars.

Peoria Pizza Works left this quick message on facecrack.

I’m very sorry that this happened to such a wonderful slice (pun somewhat intended after the fact) of Peoria’s past and up till yesterday, present. Below are three articles with video from the fire, four historical articles about the popular Peoria pizza restaurant and six Peoria Pizza Works posts from MBIP.

——

Yesterday’s Fire At Peoria Pizza Works

WCBU: Fire damages Peoria Pizza Works restaurant in Peoria Heights.

WMBD: UPDATED: Cause of Peoria Pizza Works fire unknown at the time.

CI Proud: Early morning fire causes ‘major’ damage to Peoria Pizza Works in the Heights.

——

Historical Peoria Pizza Works Articles

Passion, family and first dates: How This Peoria Heights pizza joint made it 50 years - Cassidy Weigland wrote a feature in the PJ Star about the legendary pizza restaurant on their 50th anniversary back in October of 2022.

Peoria Pizza Works marks 50 years in business - A photo gallery by Matt Dayhoff accompanied the 2022 PJ Star 50th anniversary feature article.

The Early Years Of Pizza In Peoria - Peoria Pizza Works is mentioned in this historical article about pizza in Peoria through the years in Peoria Magazine.

Bluesman Bernard Allison returns home to Peoria and talks ‘Highs and Low’ of long career - Local musician and owner of Younger Than Yesterday Records, Craig Moore produced a live album by legendary blues musician Luther Allison at Peoria Pizza Works and it’s mentioned in this article about his son, Bernard on WCBU. (Interesting personal sidenote: Bernard and his mom Fanny were my next door apartment neighbors in the early ’90’s!)

——