Journal Star, Peoria, Ill., Business Briefs
By Journal Star, Peoria, Ill.
May 15–PEKIN INSURANCE REPORTS RECORD INCOME: The Pekin Life Insurance Co. had a record net income of $14 million in 2006, it told shareholdrs at its recent annual meeting.
Premium income increased by 5.2 percent to $199,688,194. Life insurance in force exceeded $9.6 billion in the year 2006.
Pekin Life Insurance is a part of Pekin Insurance’s Full Circle Service group of companies.
NEW STARBUCKS TO OPEN FRIDAY: Starbucks Coffee Co. will open a new store in Peoria at 5:30 a.m. Friday at 707 W. Pioneer Parkway, on the corner of Pioneer and Knoxville Avenue.
A ribbon cutting is planned at 3 p.m. Thursday. Following the ceremony, the public is invited to attend a special pre-opening “Friends and Family” event from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Complimentary beverage and pastry samples will be served.
The new store will employ 21 people and is partnering with local community and non profit groups such as the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. The store will feature a drive-through, outdoor patio, Wireless Internet access, upholstered seating and cafe tables and chairs. It also will carry specialty coffee beans, pastries and merchandise, including coffee and espresso machines.
NEW GRANITE/MARBLE STORE OPENS: A new Global Granite & Marble store has opened at 515 S. Maxwell Road in Bartonville.
The store, which is the fourth location for the company, imports granite, marble, slate, travertine, and other stone slabs from more than 30 countries, including Brazil, Italy, India and Spain.
The firm’s other locations are in St. Louis, Springfield, Mo. and Louisville, Ky.
More than 600 slabs in more than 140 colors eventually will be showcased at the 10,000-square-foot center. The Peoria store hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The phone number is 633-0244.
NAWBO MEETING SET FOR WEDNESDAY: The Central Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Hawley Country Club, 7724 N. Knoxville Ave.
Guest speaker is Dr. Lori Russell-Chapin, presenting “Change. Celebrating What is Right in Your World.” PR Association meeting is Wednesday The Public Relations Association will meet at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the WTVP Studios on State Street. A private tour will be given of the studios.
For reservations contact Kathy Schaeffer at kls@ssinet.com or 677-7360 ext. 15.
PROJECT ASIA TO START AT BRADLEY: The Turner Center in Bradley University’s Foster College of Business Administration has received nearly $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to start a two-year program called Project Asia.
A grant in the amount of $89,000 for the first year of the project will fund the first graduate and undergraduate study abroad programs in India at Bradley. Also, the project will lead to a cooperative agreement between the Foster College and a Chinese university for faculty, students, business and research exchanges.
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SBUX,