peoria shopping for baby furniture & other merchandise (Bloomington, Normal: university, price)

[calistro]

can anyone suggest where to find baby furniture and other merchandise in peoria or surrounding area - other than target & burlington coat factory, which don't have a great variety to select from....
thanks, calistro

[BUalumni]

It has been a few years since I was in the market for baby merchandise, but I think I can help a little. Try looking around the new Shoppes at Grand Prairie Mall outside of Dunlap, in the sprawling commercial district on the north side of Peoria. There is a big Old Navy and good sized Bergners. Down the road is the Willow Knolls shopping center that has a Kohls. The Northwoods Mall has several places that are just for babies and toddlers. I know for a fact that they have a Children's Place and a Gap Kids. Sheridan Village shopping center has good shopping as well, but I haven't been at there for some time and only know that they have a Bergners. The Northwoods Mall is also are anchored by a Sears, JCPenney's, and Macy's which have good kids sections. The Northwoods Mall has more stores for teenagers and young adults, while Grand Prairie has more upscale adult clothes. There is a new Furniture Row on your way to Dunlap that you might want to check out. If you can't find something in Peoria, look into Bloomington. There is shopping everywhere, and I believe that they have just as much, if not more in the way of children's clothes, since both Normal and Bloomington seem to be made up of nothing more than booming families. I know that the Bergners in Pekin is the overflow, and unwanted items for the two in Peoria, so it isn't as great, but less expensive. Overall there isn't anything in East Peoria or Pekin that you couldn't find in more quanity in Peoria or Bloomington so i would stick with those two. Hope this helps.

[linicx]

I've worn Bergner's better wear for many years. I always found the clothes to be nicely made and sold at a fair price. For smart upscale women's fashions I like Brom's Fur in Metro Center because Jeff can always find that extra something for someone special. Metro Center is located at a light on N. University between War Memorial Drive and Glen Avenue. Britche's and Bloomers (ages 0-12) is also in Metro Center. And you should be able to find nice boutique items on Prospect Avenue between War Memorial and Glen. No baby, but nice furniture is Lippman's Interiors on Pioneer Parkway and Underwood Furniture Gallleries in Grande Shoppes. Nursery Nook in Bloomington and Good's in kewanee and JC Penny at Grande Shoppes all I could find for baby furniture except Target and Burlington. The only other place that might have cribs is Illinois Furniture which is in the worst part of Peoria on S. Adams. But they have good stuff and always has.

The last place I would look is Furniure Row unnless you really know the diff between quality furniture. and the cosmetically great bur really not-so-good FR sells. Been there; done that; won't do it again.