PEORIA MAGAZINE September 2022

Clara Mathes is a freqent customer to Beecham’s Market in Tremont

Cashier Angie Riley of Beecham’s Market in downtown Tremont helps a customer

Local produce grower Larry Newcomb brings his tomatoes to Beecham’s Market

chicken, plus homemade sausage and bratwursts. The biggest lure may be the specialty burgers – fresh or frozen – that include the likes of bacon cheddar-jalapeno-turkey and corned beef with swiss. Such uniqueness helps a throwback grocer to succeed in a Walmart world. ‘WE'VE FOUND OUR NICHE AND TAKE CARE OF IT THE BEST WE CAN’ “Folks will bring in their meat list, say they’re going to Walmart (in Pekin or Morton), and come back and pick up their order,” Dave Hughs said. “We’ve found our niche and take care of it the best we can.” They also take care of customers the best they can. Many are regulars. “We all try to learn their names,” Dave Hughs said. “We kind of knowwhat they want. I’ve got people who like filets cut a certain way or cut in half with bacon around them.” Such attentiveness draws customers not only from all over central Illinois — Dave Hughs

but as far away as Chicago. Beyond the meat counter, they come for local items — honey fromDelavan, vegetables from Morton, soap from Dillon – not found at every other grocery.

This fall, Beecham’s will host an outdoor celebration to mark the family’s 100th year in business. Also, the storefront will soon get a makeover to freshen up the look.

Keri Hughs working the deli at Beecham's Market

As for any f ifth generation of ownership? That’ll be up to the Hughs’ lone child, Ella, 5, when the time comes. “If she wants to work this hard, she can do it,” Keri Hughs said with a smile. “It’s rewarding, but it’s a lot of work.” “We’re blessed,” added Dave Hughs. “We’re blessed to be busy.” Phil Luciano is a senior writer/ columnist for Peoria Magazine and content contributor to public television station WTVP

That’s theattraction for SteveandEthel Applegate, each 74. The couple often motors over from Pekin, especially for the inventory from Roth Countryside ProduceofMorton, suchas the volleyball sizedmelons on recent display. His wife, meanwhile, grabbed several ears of sweetcorn, not even bothering to pull back the husks to check the kernels. “It’s the sweetest corn I’ve ever had,” she gushed before adding in a whisper – as if revealing the store’s secret weapon – “and they’ve got great turkey burgers.”

20 SEPTEMBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE