Westclox resurgence: More than 20 businesses call old Peru factory home

Just a few years ago, the nearly empty Westclox factory building in Peru — once the lifeblood of the community employing thousands of clockmakers — was slowly deteriorating from neglect and age.

Today, thanks to the vision of local entrepreneurs, it is undergoing a resurrection, which has already attracted more than 20 businesses and service centers featuring everything from yoga to jewelry-making and soap manufacturing to music classes.

After a major fire, which many thought would reduce the sprawling 350,000-square-foot structure to ruin in 2012, the former Westclox facility is evolving into an attractive location for new businesses in the city.

Cody Grandadam, co-owner of the building, admits many people thought he had made an "overreach" when he and others took control of the building in 2013.

"I was looking for an investment that would make financial sense for my personal businesses (Promier Products and S&S Tool and Die) and would also make a real contribution to my hometown, my community."

"I thought it would be a shame if the historical building — a solid structure — was torn down," he said.

Grandadam said the enormity of the complex never intimated him or his partners.

"Yes, the square footage is huge but we are developing this place in smaller sections, bit by bit," he said. "I have never been overwhelmed by this property's size. In fact, I may soon wish it was bigger, because I have bigger plans for this place with so many plans of what we would like to do."

Following his vision, Grandadam, in the last few years, supervised restorations of areas within the building, which has attracted different types of businesses, but he sees the complex as something more.

"We're in the process of constructing a community center (an atrium), which will feature a pizza restaurant and other attractions all built around a stage and seating area that will be available for events, parties and receptions," he said.

Westclox Whiskey and Westclox Coffee

The atrium concept is exciting for partners Bob Windy and Jeff Yosowitz, who are in the midst of building a craft distillery, Star Union Spirits, right off the facility's main doors.

"We originally thought of developing our business up in Chicago nearer to our homes, but then Jeff and I saw Westclox as the perfect choice for us to produce fruit-and grain-based spirits right here in my hometown," Windy said.

"We are excited to tap into the rich commercial heritage of the Illinois Valley by being in this location."

If all goes according to plan, Windy said, the first distillery in more than 100 years in Peru will open this fall.

Mary Lemrise is another entrepreneur who recently opened a business, Westclox BRU Coffee Cafe Co., in the complex.

"When I was looking for a place to open my coffee shop, I saw an opportunity in the growing business center here," Lemrise said. "Westclox is an up-and-coming city center. Since we opened in March, the response, like our coffee, has been very strong. I'm glad we're here."

Westclox Museum

As more and more people discover the businesses and services in the Westclox complex, some are taking the time to learn more about the history of the once world-famous clockmaking facility.

Open since 2015 in the building at 320 Fifth St., The Westclox Museum showcases more than 1,000 timepieces and other artifacts from over a century of production by thousands of workers at the plant.

Westclox Museum curators Ruth and Don Spayer keep watch over the collection, which is constantly growing.

"We get donations of timepieces and other Westclox-related memorabilia every week, so our little museum is getting bigger all the time," Ruth said. "And, to me, many of the clocks and watches in our collection are really pieces of art, such as our Big Ben clock collection, a clock which changed how the world woke up. This room honors all the people who worked here."

Looking back and ahead

"I remember being in the lobby of La Salle State Bank in the early 1980s when the Westclox facility was being auctioned off with a starting bid of $75,000. There was no bid. The auction was a non-auction," said Peru Economic Development Director Robert Vickrey.

"Today, some 35 years later, Cody has taken a sow’s ear and turned it into a silk purse.

Vickrey said Grandadam has taken the right approach.

"For Cody it is a passion and he is one of those rare individuals that can look at something from the 5,000-foot level and knows by instinct what needs to be done, and he does it in the most unassuming manner," Vickrey said.

"Cody’s redevelopment successes at Westclox are paychecks for families and opportunities for young people wanting to shape their own destiny. Cody gives these young entrepreneurs a chance to stay close to home and do well. The days of the big manufacturing jobs for young people starting a career continue to dwindle. Cody's vision gives them a chance to develop their own skill sets and new opportunities. I believe some of them will become the employers in Peru’s future."

As with most projects of this magnitude, there's been some bumps.

"The restoration has been a challenge," Grandadam admits. "However, I believe in this (business) community. I believe in myself. And I believe in this building's future. We have a great partnership with all of our tenants and the list is growing.

"It will be great to see that, once again, the community will enjoy and be serviced by this historic building and its tenants. We want this building to become a center for arts and culture here in the Illinois Valley."

GO INFO

WHERE: 350 Fifth St., Suite 265, Peru

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

MORE INFO: facebook.com/westcloxmuseum