For Kareem Ali, the journey to starting his own business in Peoria took years.
He majored in business administration in college and has watched countless YouTube videos on how to start and run a successful business, but as he learned from one video, experience is the best teacher.
Over the years, Ali has produced a podcast, launched a clothing business, and embarked on various other entrepreneurial endeavors.
“Everything that could go wrong, I was willing to fail with them and learn from it,” Ali said. “That’s why the final project – Orchid – was such a success.”
Orchid Grove Beverage Company had its grand opening May 24. The store, located at 7706 N. Grand Prairie Drive in Peoria, sells lemonade, juice and other freshly made drinks.
“We want to serve coffee right.”Couple opens new store in bustling East Peoria neighborhood
“We need to start making this a reality.”
Ali moved to the area from Carlinville to study business administration at Blackburn College, and while visiting a Christmas craft show, he tried one vendor’s lemonade and thought, “I think I can make something better.”
He eventually launched Ali’s Sweets and Treats, which operated at various vendor events, and one day, Ali says, a group of women approached him asking if they could find his products in stores.
“At first I was like, ‘No, I’m just going to go to craft shows,’ and then I was like, ‘Maybe I should go,'” Ali said. “So, without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
For a while, Ali continued to work his day job, which kept his dream from coming true.
“But I was never satisfied with working for someone else and having a nine-to-five job,” Ali says, “so eventually I had to make this a reality.”
When her fiancé was offered a teaching job in Peoria, Ali saw it as an opportunity to support her and pursue her own dreams at the same time.
The store is located next to The Shoppes at Grande Prairie, and although it’s outside the main shopping centre, Ali says “if the products are good, customers will come.”
Want more Peoria food news?Register for PJStar Dining
Orchid Grove Menu
“Everything is made to order” at Orchid Grove Beverage Co., Ali said. Customers can find a variety of drinks, including:
- Lemonade – Available in classic, strawberry and blue raspberry flavors.
- Orange Americano
- Cold beer
- Cold Pressed Juice
- Tea – Ali says you can customize it with house-made juices and flavorings.
Ali said the menu will also include a sports drink called “Orchid Recharge” and health-conscious dishes called “Green Things.”
Ali said the store will offer soft pretzels and may introduce other food items in the future, but added that drinks will remain a main focus.
“Food is big around here and it’s just thriving,” Ali says, “but there aren’t a lot of drink options, so that’s where I come in.”
more:Peoria food inspection highs and lows in April
“That’s going to go super far.”
Orchid Grove has already participated in various events in the Peoria area, and Ali said he has “only heard positive feedback” so far.
For Ali, the goal is to spread this positivity beyond the taste of the drinks: From making sure employees are taken care of to providing eco-friendly cups, Ali said he wanted to create a business that focused on quality and care.
“We try to make sure everything we do is ethical, moral and fun,” Ali said.
Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 8pm, closed on Mondays.
Ali said Orchid Grove will host various events during its first month of operations to bring customers into the store, including Play-Dough nights and Lego nights, and will also offer delivery options.
Ali said his beverage business got its start at various vendor fairs, but he doesn’t have plans to set up shop at local farmers markets or vendor shows this season. For now, he said, he’s focused on enhancing his store at 7706 N. Grand Prairie Drive.
“I know that ultimately it’s going to be a lot bigger than I originally planned,” he said. “The plans that I have and the vision that I have for Orchid are going to be very big.”
“Only Love”:Family brings California barbecue favorite to central Illinois
