Is Hooters coming to the Peoria River front? That has been a question in debate for sometime now. The main opposition for the restaurant is that the river front is supposed to be a family atmosphere, and Hooters doesn’t quite go along with the theme. Of course, many other people feel that the restaurant should be welcomed to Peoria. This is why it is still in debate.      On the other side of the river, East Peoria is saying, “Come on over.’’ “I think Peoria’s going to get it all worked out. I look at Hooters as a quality restaurant chain.

If they were interested in East Peoria I’d be interested in talking to them,” said City Commissioner Jim Bevard. He is one of the many supporters of Hooters in East Peoria.

    The four writers of this article have our own views.
   Kelson Hughes expressed his feelings about the contoversy, "I feel that Hooters shouldn’t be a problem. It’s just another restaurant. The people who don’t like Hooters won’t go there. If people don’t want their kids going or working there, it should be their responsibility to make sure that they don’t. The city is making a bigger deal of this than it really is.”
     Bryan Merrit voices his opinion,"I don’t think a Hooters should be located on the riverfront. because the riverfront is supposed to be family oriented. Most parents would not want to go to the riverfront with their kids if there was a Hooters on the riverfront." 
    Aimee gives her view on the problem, “I think that Hooters should not be located on the riverfront because I don’t care for the restaurant and I don’t want others to be offended by it. The riverfront should be a family atmosphere that everyone can enjoy and not have a problem with it. Besides they can use that space for something even better like a park that everyone can enjoy and use.” 
      Ashley gives her thoughts,"I don’t see Hooters being a problem there. It’s just another restaurant like all the others except the waitresses dress differently.”

Source:  Peoria Journal Star