'Forced out': Peoria restaurant says it was told to vacate Landmark Recreation Center spot

In a move that happened suddenly Wednesday, Peoria restaurant Highly Flavored was asked by property management to leave its location at Landmark Recreation Center.

Highly Flavored owner Jeremy Sargent said Landmark management told him Wednesday they needed to vacate the premises by day's end. Sargent said Landmark management did not feel the "look" of Highly Flavored — which Sargent said did high sales at the location — fit what they were looking for.

"Highly Flavored did great business here. It wasn't a look that they were looking for and they forced us out," Sargent said.

The restaurant, which opened at Landmark in October, had already been planning to move to a new location at the Twin Towers Mall in Downtown Peoria, but Wednesday's unexpected news accelerated the process.

In a statement to the Journal Star, Landmark said: "Landmark has been a Peoria destination providing vibrant, family-friendly entertainment for over 40 years and our mission is to continue providing that environment for our patrons for years to come. That being said while the decision this week may come as a disappointment for a few, we remain committed to fulfilling our vision and continuing serving our community for those looking for wholesome entertainment. We are exploring options for the future and are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead."

Co-owner Cierra Sargent said they hope to be open downtown by early July. The Sargents have been planning on opening a downtown location since last month.

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'On our end, we are not upset'

Despite the sudden departure from Landmark, the Sargents are trying to remain positive and say they believe that "everything happens for a reason" and this move will end up being good for them in the long run.

"The vision of Landmark and Highly Flavored, it did not coincide," Cierra Sargent said. "I feel like everything happens for a reason, especially in life. Jeremy and I are big Christians, and we always say there is no coincidence in kingdom, so we know that we are not upset about anything and everything that happens is God's work and there's a reason why God wants us to be in the space we're in."

Both Jeremy and Sierra Sargent said that sales at their Landmark location were very good and they had grown a stable fan base for their food there.

The Sargents have moved locations before, when their other restaurant, The Fry Spot, relocated from Prospect Road to Dries Lane.

"From what we have done here, I feel like it has been a positive. Our sales have been amazing, the customers, the people that we have touched, have been amazing," Cierra Sargent said. "... I feel like because of those opportunities we are still in, I would say, a positive space. It might look negative for us, but I wouldn't say it is. On our end, we are not upset."

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Challenges at Landmark

In April, Landmark Recreation's businesses had to close their doors for six days after a water main break in the parking lot made opening impossible.

Another former Landmark Recreation business also went through a sudden departure from the location last year after the owner of Major League Barbershop and Landmark management had a dispute over who was obligated to pay renovation bills.

Major League Barbershop eventually moved to a location on Sterling Avenue.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Highly Flavored says it was forced to close location in Peoria