A start-to-finish process to aid in community and economic development by downtown revitalization.
We don't just specialize in one piece of the puzzle, but we are experts in putting all of the parts in place for sustainable success.
An in-depth review of your downtown
Conversations with your community stakeholders
Drafting an agreement that is a win-win for everyone
Begin working on transforming your downtown
Exploring your downtown
Understanding your local market
Reviewing your building stock
Meeting your residents
Establishing a Vision
Learning what resources are available
Creating the future of your downtown
Outline of work to be done
Receiving approvals from planning commission, building inspectors and city council
Purchase of real estate
Completing construction work on buildings
Cultivating current and aspiring entrepreneurs
By Tracy Leigh Hazzard CEO, Hazz Design
In honor of this year's Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to helping small businesses thrive during the busiest holiday shopping season of the year, I wanted to point out that grassroots efforts to boost local businesses and small towns are happening across America. Maybe even in a small town near you. If you run into the problem Todd Thompson did, shopping in your hometown local stores might be difficult, especially if they've gone out of business or vacated the area.
Todd is from a small town called Pekin, Illinois, where the vacancies and lack of small businesses, like in many other small towns, became the norm. So much so, that when Todd would tell people where he was from, out of embarrassment, he eventually started leaving Pekin out of it, and just started telling people he was from Central Illinois. But as Todd grew with his construction business, he realized that you're from where you're from, and while you can't change where you're from... you can change where you're from.
We first met with Todd on a whim, with an idea. The end result: a successful business plan, two confident business women with reach-for-the-stars attitudes and a beautiful renovated building. Aerial Athletics now employs 8 Instructors and has already provided 16,800 hours of health, fitness, and fun to the children in our community.
Vanessa Cox - Aerial Athletics, Pekin IL
The key to attracting investment in the core of any aging city is creative revitalization and restoration; focused on arts, entertainment and food. 353 Court LLC has turned a portion of downtown Pekin from vacant to vibrant and it can only get better if the city continues to invest and stay behind this effort. I applaud the vision, execution, mentoring and the lease to ownership that empowers business owners. This is working.
Randall R. McDaniels, President - McDaniels Marketing, Pekin IL
What has been done so far done is a great service to an otherwise potentially blighted area. You and your group are to be applauded.
Rich Kriegsman - Pekin, IL
Having a family history with downtown Pekin, we are excited to be a part of a growing and thriving downtown. We are grateful for the help and encouragement Todd has been in helping us establish our new endeavor.
Cindy Bonnette - Vinyl Art Studio, Pekin, IL
353 Court LLC is a huge asset to the downtown revitalization efforts in Pekin,. Their work is one of the reasons that I was inspired to purchase 75 year old failing business in a failing downtown. Todd inspired me to want to be part of his grassroots effort in bringing back the heart of the city. He has taken more time and effort to help develop a solid plan and I haven't seen any other developer with the passion, knowledge and willingness to help take Downtown Pekin so it not only survives but thrives. If we aspire to be a Galena or a Galesburg, Todd and the efforts of his company 353 Court LLC will get us there.
Lelonie Luft - Maurie's Of Pekin Fine Candies - Coffee - Ice Cream, Pekin, IL
I had only been to Pekin a handful of times when I was invited to bring my program, Yoga & Story Time, to the community. After meeting Todd and seeing his vision for downtown Pekin, I was very impressed and felt privileged to be part of the downtown revitalization. I am also fortunate that Todd and 353 Court LLC has been willing to collaborate with me from my first day working in the area. I've had only positive experiences in Pekin and am confident that this is due to the hard work and passion that Todd and Steve have invested here.
Lindsay Bayer - Yoga & Story Time Instructor at Yoga Happens Here, Pekin, IL
As a lifelong Pekinite, I feel immensely grateful for the work that Todd Thompson and Steve Foster have had in revitalizing our downtown. I am certain without his leadership, our Main Street would look just as desolate as it did then. Many of the downtown buildings were so long forgotten and in such distress that no one else has the vision or know-how to want to touch them. We are so lucky to have Todd's enthusiasm, not only turn these buildings into jewels but also to help make sustainable, thriving businesses.
He is passionate about making Pekin Downtown bustle. Not only is he a developer but he is an active business coach to his tenants as well. He is teaching entrepreneurs how to build strong businesses, something no one else in this town is doing. He is turning pipe dreams into mom and pop shops, ones that have success stories and created jobs.
As a community we would be silly to not accept Todd's hand and collaborate with him on progressively moving this district forward. Please take advantage of his company!! They only want the best for this area, which is the only part of town you can tangibly see strides forward in.
Baylee Gambetti - The Ladendorf Team | Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell Realty, Pekin, IL
The construction work that 353 Court has created, over the last few years, in downtown Pekin with their downtown revitalization efforts has had an extremely positive impact on our company and our employees by providing us with local projects. This allows us to provide work for our employees without having to travel long distances for out of town or out of state projects. This has a positive impact on the city’s economy beyond the long term benefits. It also creates an increase in fuel, food, and construction material sales during the projects. More cities need revitalization minded people such as Todd & Steve that want to be locally invested. It has been a pleasure to work with them and the City of Pekin on these projects.
Nick Orwig , President/Owner - Holthaus Companies, Inc. Roofing Contractors, Pekin, IL
As a material provider for what Thompson brothers are doing in the downtown area is good for my business, Deuce Development Corp., as well as the look that it provides for my hometown. I am ecstatic at the progress that has been made and look forward to more rebuilding of my hometown.
Tim Glass - Deuce Development, Pekin, IL
The environmental and historical impact of 353 Court, LLC’s work is substantial on the Pekin Community. So many developers build strip malls at the edge of a town while the city center collapses. Rather than contributing to this type of damaging urban sprawl, 353 Court is using the existing structures in downtown Pekin to attract businesses to an easily walkable, or bike-able, atmosphere. While respecting the original façades of the century-old buildings, 353 Court is revitalizing the buildings to meet the desires of the community today. Once a business is founded in a 353 Court property, 353 Court LLC provides entrepreneurship classes in the hopes the business thrives. Thriving businesses in a vibrant downtown, in turn, attract more businesses and people to Pekin. 353 Court LLC is one of Pekin’s greatest assets.
Brigette Lobacz, Esq. - MOEHLE, SWEARINGEN & LOBACZ, LTD., Pekin, IL
I met with Todd about a year ago, and he really inspired me to chase my dream of opening up my own Spa & Makeup Studio. I'm lucky to have found a beautiful location that I can call home for Flaunt by Jen. I'm excited to be apart of the Downtown District and can't wait to bring something very fun and unique to the area.
Jen Helfers - Flaunt by Jen, Pekin, IL
While struggling in my original location, 353 Court went above and beyond helping me with utilizing the city TIF fund. They guided me through the process of obtaining my occupancy with the city. Todd and Steve assisted in helping me find licensed contractors to bring the building up to code. At one point 353 Court helped secure for me the funds to finish an overwhelming remodel resulting in my occupancy and reopening.
Jake Ista - Owner, Jake's Place Barbershop
