New beverage business opens in Peoria

For Kariem Ali, the path to opening a business in Peoria has been years in the making.

He majored in business management during college and watched countless YouTube videos on how to launch and operate a successful business. As he learned from one video, though, experience is the best teacher.

Over the years, Ali produced a podcast, created a clothing business and embarked on various other entrepreneurial ventures.

“Everything that could go wrong, I wanted to go wrong with them so that I could learn,” Ali said. “So, the final project – which is Orchid – would be a huge success.”

Orchid Grove Beverage Company held its grand opening on May 24. The business – situated at 7706 N. Grand Prairie Drive in Peoria – sells lemonades, juices and other freshly prepared drinks.

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‘I need to start making this a reality’

Ali moved to the area from Carlinville, where he had studied business management at Blackburn College. While visiting a Christmas craft show, he tried a vendor’s lemonade and thought, “I think I could do better than that.”

He eventually launched Ali’s Sweets and Treats, which operated at various vendor events. Then, one day, Ali said a group of women asked if they could find his products in stores.

“I was like, ‘No, I just do craft shows,’ but then I was like, ‘Maybe I should,’” Ali said. “So, without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

For a while, Ali’s dream fell by the wayside as he continued work at his primary day job.

“But I’m never super satisfied working for somebody else and, you know, working a nine to five,” Ali said. “So eventually, I was just like, I need to start making this a reality.”

When his fiancé was offered a teaching position in Peoria, Ali said he saw an opportunity to support her while also pursuing his dream.

The business is located next to The Shoppes at Grand Prairie. While the storefront is situated outside of the main shopping center, Ali said, “if the product is good, the people will come.”

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Menu at Orchid Grove

Ali said “everything is made to order” at Orchid Grove Beverage Company. Customers can find a variety of drinks, such as:

• Lemonade – which is available in classic, strawberry and blue raspberry flavors.  
• Orange americano
• Cold brews
• Cold pressed juices
• Teas – which Ali said can be customized with homemade juices or flavorings.

The menu, Ali said, also features a sports drink which he named Orchid Recharge and a health-focused option called Green Things.

Ali said the business will serve soft pretzels and may introduce other food items in the future. Yet he said the drinks will remain the primary focus.

“This whole area is booming with food man, just booming,” Ali said, “but not a whole lot of drink options. So, that’s where I come in.”

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‘It’s gonna go super far’

Already, Orchid Grove has attended various events in the Peoria area, and Ali said he has heard “nothing but positivity” so far.

For Ali, the goal is to extend this positivity beyond the flavor of the drinks. From ensuring employees are well taken care of to offering environmentally friendly cups, Ali said he wanted to create a business focused on quality and care.

“Everything we’re doing – we’re trying to make sure that it’s all ethical, moral and enjoyable really,” Ali said.

The business will operate from noon until 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and will be closed on Monday.

Ali said Orchid Grove will host various events during its first month – such as a Playdough night and a Lego night – to draw customers into the shop. He said the business will also offer delivery options.

While Ali’s drink business began at various vendor fairs, he said he does not expect to set up shop at local farmers markets or vendor shows this season. He said for now, the focus will be on building up the storefront at 7706 N. Grand Prairie Drive.

“Eventually, I know we’re going to be a lot bigger than what we’re going to start off as,” he said. “Just the plans that I have in place and the vision that I have for Orchid – it’s gonna go super far, super far.”

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