PEORIA MAGAZINE April 2022

M O M A N D P O P

A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY Three generations of sisters have run the store of the same name on Washington’s historic Square

BY SALLY MCKEE PHOTOGRAPHY BY RON JOHNSON

F orty years ago, two sisters — Karen Ganz and Darlene Feser — bought the empty CILCO bui lding on the square in Washington to open a boutique. That decision began a journey that has spanned generations. Today the business, Sentimental Journey, is owned and operated by one of their daughters, Kris Hasten of Washington, who initially partneredwith her sister, Shelly Hines. Hasten’s two daughters, Katelyn Arnold and Lauren Joop, plan to carry on the family legacy.

home décor and antique reproduction furniture from Arcola. The pair renovated the building, adding a staircase and loft to access the upstairs. They went to market to acquire merchandise. What they didn’t have, initially, was a name. A friend suggested their parents’ favorite song, and “Sentimental Journey,” it was. They laughed about opening on April Fool’s Day, said Hines, who would become a teacher. Hasten, a recent college graduate at the time, started working at the store that year and never left. In 1995, Ganz and Feser decided to retire. Hasten convinced Hines to join her in buying the store from their mother and aunt. And so it was that the sisters succeeded the original sisters. “It has always been a good job,” Hasten emphasized. “We have had such good employees. We could get our kids off to school in the morning and one of us would leave at 3. We took care of each other’s kids.” Throughout the years, the other stores left. The upstairs was converted to apartments. The popcorn shop was sold, leaving the remaining building for Sentimental Journey. The business suffered during the 2008 recession. In 2010, Hines left to pursue a different career path. Hasten became the sole owner. “I wanted to go in a new direction,”

from customers to keep the creaks in the floor, if at all possible. The business hit those milestones despite obstacles. They have survived economic downturns, a devastating tornado and a pandemic. As Hasten said, “We’ve been through it.” Their success is the result of hardwork, close family ties and a commitment to community. It all began April, 1982, when Ganz and Feser, both of Washington, both of Washington, both former nurses, purchased the building onWashington’s

Theyaremarking the40thanniversary of the store with a celebration on April 2 with prizes, raffles and refreshments. Earlier this year, they were named the 2022 Outstanding Business by the Washington Chamber of Commerce. In January and February, they completed a major remodel – with marching orders This third generation of sisters hopes to carry on the retail legacy.

historic Square and filled it with businesses owned and operated by women including a tearoom, bridal shop, florist, clothing store and quilt shop. Not many women owned their own businesses at that time, Hasten said. Their own boutique featured children’s clothing, dolls, penny candy, A wide array of home decor is on display at Sentimental Journey.

22 APRIL 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE