A distillery is closing its Peoria location. Here's what the owner said about its future

PEORIA – The doors will be closing on Peoria whiskey distillery JK Williams after Feb. 12 for what may, or may not, be the last time. 

“We’re definitely closing at this location. We are hopeful that there’s another location that we can move into, but that won’t be decided overnight,” JK Williams owner Andy Faris said. “We need to have some downtime to figure out our next steps. Whatever our next move is needs to be good for us long-term, and that will not be a snap decision.” 

The closure is happening because the business lost their lease in the building they renovated extensively before their grand opening in 2021. Distilling equipment and products will be moved into storage until they figure out their next steps, Faris said. 

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JK Williams was founded in 2013 by brothers Jesse and Jon Williams and named after their great-great-grandfather, a bootlegger in Peoria during Prohibition. Faris, a Minneapolis native, purchased the business in 2019 and moved it from East Peoria to the Peoria location, where they began producing new product. 

“We are proud that we helped bring back some great award-winning whiskey to the Whiskey City and are thankful for our many wonderful supporters. My wife and I moved here four years ago with the vision to help revive high-quality craft spirits distilling in Peoria. We believe we accomplished that and more. We love it here and it is our goal to remain here,” Faris said.

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The tasting room and shop will remain open with extended business hours until the closure. 

“It’s our goal to sell as much bottle and merchandise inventory as possible to alleviate moving expenses,” Faris said. “Please come join us for some final drinks and laughs at this location between now and Super Bowl Sunday, including viewing of the game on February 12, which will be our last day.” 

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Leslie Renken can be reached at (309) 370-5087 or lrenken@pjstar.com. Follow her on Facebook.com/leslie.renken.