A former historic venue for arts and entertainment will re-open the doors next year

PEORIA ( 25News Now )—The Scottish Rite Theater downtown is now leased by TempleLive , an Arkansas-based event promotions group.

It's located in downtown Peoria, it was owned previously by the Kim Blickenstaff Group. It closed in 2023.

TempleLive's Director of Operations, Garrett Zimmerman, aims to open the venue in March of next year and said fans should look forward to a variety of shows there.

"There's nothing that we won't do," said Zimmerman. "We do everything from comedy, rock and roll, EDM, hip-hop, country music, there's nothing we won't give a try, and if the market wants it-we'll provide more of it."

City Councilman, Tim Riggenbach [3rd District], is optimistic about this re-opening, said it will bring more business to the river city, and calls this a 'win' for Peoria.

"We're very positive with what they have to offer," said Riggenbach. "We haven't met with them face to face, but they've got a track record of running facilities such as this in other parts of the country and different cities. They clearly know what they're doing, and how to market that."

Councilman Riggenbach also applauded the building's former owners, Kim Blickenstaff Group on the renovations done back in 2019, despite the abrupt closure.

The group believes the building is ready to rock.

TempleLive also has venues in Cleveland, Columbus, Fort Smith, and Wichita.