The Old Symposium Bookstore Opened in Peoria

Owners Nick and Abbey Mitchell launched the new bookstore in Peoria's Warehouse District this July.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Empty interior of a converted industrial bookstore featuring dark wood shelving against exposed brick walls and warm ambient lighting. — The Old Symposium bookstore officially opened in Peoria's Warehouse District this July, occupying a renovated space on Southwest Adams Street. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Old Symposium bookstore opened its doors to the public in July 2026. Located at 1311 Southwest Adams St., the shop aims to provide a welcoming community resource for local residents.

Why it matters

The owners seek to offer a comfortable space for visitors to browse books and foster local connections. Through the creation of community book clubs, the business hopes to establish itself as a gathering point in the Warehouse District.

The bookstore has been operating for two months at a space formerly occupied by WAXology. It maintains standard operating hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

The players

Nick and Abbey Mitchell

They are the husband and wife team who founded and currently operate The Old Symposium bookstore.

Reagan Leslie Hill

She is the designer responsible for creating the aesthetic and functional layout of the new bookstore space.

The details

Owners Nick and Abbey Mitchell transformed the former hair salon space into a bookstore following seven or eight months of renovations. Designer Reagan Leslie Hill developed the business aesthetic to ensure the shop serves as an accessible resource for the neighborhood.

The Old Symposium opened to the public in July 2026.
This news article was published on September 20, 2026.

Market Landscape

The opening of The Old Symposium follows the established pattern of adaptive reuse currently transforming the Warehouse District into a retail and social hub. By occupying a former salon space, the shop contributes to the ongoing diversification of local commerce.

Residents can now access a new literary space and participate in upcoming community book clubs hosted by the owners. The shop provides a dedicated environment for browsing and social interaction within the Warehouse District.

The takeaway

Supporting local bookstores helps preserve unique community spaces that offer more than just retail transactions. Residents interested in new social connections can visit during the established weekly operating hours to join upcoming reading groups.