PEORIA MAGAZINE June 2022

Owner Jimmy Spears

– barkeeps are allowed to create new cocktails on a whim. Some of those coworkers have shared Spears’ genetics. Among the first kin to work there was his dad, Joe, always smiling behind the bar. Jimmy Spears cherishes that memory – “I got to work withmy dad,” he gushes – as a high point. Though Joe Spears died in 2005, Jimmy can’t help but grin and share an old joke: “The saying was that I couldn’t fire my dad because my mom wouldn’t letme. Shewanted himout of the house.” Such wisecracks are common among the Spears clan, who often share their tomfoolery with patrons while manning the taps. Indeed, all six of the owner’s brothers have worked there, as have his three daughters, plus 18 nieces and nephews. The Spears lineage seems certain to continue, as daughter Grace Spears has transitioned to manager. She hadn’t planned on taking up the family business. “But then I realized that I felt happier when driving to my job here than when driving to any other job,” the 27-year-old says with a dad-like grin. “It’s kind of like a family here.” Matt Rambke feels the same way. The 39-year-old Peorian has been coming to Jimmy’s since childhood, when his father would bring him along for lunch. “Everybody here is nice,” he says. “Everyone here is good to talk to.” The friendly vibe is why celebrities are known to pop in. When a local host wants a warm place to take a famous face – say, TV host Mike Rowe (“Dirty

Jobs,” etc.), Olympics silver medalist KatieMcLaughlin and National Baseball Hall of Famer Lee Smith – Jimmy’s is the go-to. The ebb and flowof customers tickles barkeep Tommy Eckstein, who first worked there part-time during college. Thoughnowasuccessful pharmaceutical salesman, the 50-year-old still pulls Saturday shifts, in part because he enjoys the intriguing chitchat. “One thing people often ask is, ‘Is Jimmy real?’” Eckstein says. Spears isn’t just the face of the bar. Though he pours a Guinness with the best of his barkeeps, before opening time he often can be found mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, watering plants and doing other jobs to keep the place humming. It’s not all drudgery. Spears has been the driving force behind the bar’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities and its wondrous Christmas display. JimDillon is grateful for all of Spears’ work. The longtimeWest Peoria mayor, known to occasionally wander into the pub for a beverage, lauds Jimmy’s not only as an economic anchor but also as a gatheringpoint forbirthdays, retirement parties and other celebrations. Plus, the business regularly hosts fundraisers for academic and social-service causes. “Jimmy’s Bar is a community focal point,” said Dillon. It’s also an international focal point. Jimmy’s has been key to Peoria’s sister city relationship with Clonmel, Ireland, withcontingents traveling there and also hosting visitors from the Emerald Isle.

Meanwhi le, the bar tr iggered headlines last year when an Elvis bust – a gag gift that became a bar-topmascot – vanished. After Jimmy’s Facebook page featured a post about the thievery, local headlines ensued. The Associated Press picked up the story, which eventually ran in the Washington Post and the United Kingdom, as did follow-ups when the bust reappeared. Apparently, the mystery thief was stricken with a guilty conscience. “Elvis made Jimmy’s go viral,” Dillon said with a chuckle. Even as a first-hand witness to the merriment and dedication at Jimmy’s, the mayor still marvels at the saloon’s staying power in a fickle industry. “Forty years?” Dillon says. “That doesn’t happen anymore.” Spears admits to a sense of wonder over the milestone. He isn’t sure what sort of celebration is appropriate, as every year he hosts a week of festivities – Customer AppreciationDay, Christmas in July and other novelty promotions – to mark the July 28 anniversary. But he realizes 40 years is something special. “It doesn’t seem like that long,” he says, grinning. “I should be retired.” He pauses to think. The smile grows wider. The motivation is clear. “It’s still fun.” Phil Luciano is a senior writer/ columnist for Peoria Magazine and content contributor to public television station WTVP

JUNE 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE 17