Hoops Pub Expanded With Hockey Theme in Peoria
The local staple is renovating its downtown location to create a dedicated space for Rivermen memorabilia.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Hockey
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Hoops Pub & Pizza is expanding into the former Neon Bison space on the 500 block of Main Street in Downtown Peoria. The project aims to create a hockey-themed section celebrating the Peoria Rivermen.
Why it matters
The expansion provides a permanent home for local hockey history while allowing the 30-year-old business to modernize its facilities. It also creates a central hub for fans of the Rivermen franchise as they enter their 45th year of operation.
The renovation project includes installing a 15-foot epoxy bar top for scanned items and a 22-foot top for the original side of the 100-year-old building. Upgrades also feature a total overhaul of the existing pizza oven.
The players
Hoops Pub & Pizza
This establishment has operated in Peoria for 30 years.
Peoria Rivermen
This franchise is among the 10 longest continuously operated professional minor-league hockey teams in the U.S.
Gerald Ritterbusch
He acquired the pub in September 2025 and is overseeing the expansion project.
The details
Management is connecting the current pub with the neighboring former Neon Bison space to unite the two properties. The owners have requested that fans donate or loan jerseys, pucks, and pennants to help populate the new hockey-themed display.
Timeline
September 2025: Gerald Ritterbusch acquired the bar.
October 8, 2026: The expansion plans were publicized.
2026-2027: The Rivermen franchise is currently in its season.
Late 2026: Renovations are expected to take five or six weeks to complete.
Roadmap
This project integrates the pub into the long-standing sports culture defined by the Peoria Rivermen. The renovation demonstrates how local legacy businesses are adapting their footprints to remain competitive in the downtown hospitality market.
Fans can participate by donating or loaning memorabilia to be displayed on the new bar top. During the five to six weeks of renovations, customers should expect the business to operate out of the former Neon Bison space.
The takeaway
This project demonstrates the value of community-sourced decor in creating a unique local gathering spot. Readers can consider how their own collections might support local heritage projects while visiting the newly expanded space later this year.
Further reading
For more on local sports culture, visit the Hockey section.
More information
Fans interested in contributing to the new display can use the contact for donating memorabilia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pekin Daily Times.
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