Unknown Strength moves into former brewery

Changing from brews to barbells.

Unknown Strength has taken over the former Steam Hollow Brewing Co. in Manteno. The spacious location at 450 S. Spruce St. (units B,C, D) in Manteno has been turned into a gym, featuring top-tier equipment for men and women to design their own workout regimen, according to its website.

Unknown Strength is owned and operated by Cameron Powell, of Bourbonnais, and it opened on Jan. 13 after holding an open house on Jan. 11.

So how did Powell come up with the unique name — Unknown Strength?

“I didn’t want fitness in the name, didn’t want gym like everyone else,” he said when reached by phone on Friday. “Everything is pretty much unknown, and it’s pretty much up to you to do what you want in life. It’s kind of an unknown.”

Unknown Strength has plenty of space for those serious about their workouts. The gym has powerlifting equipment, treadmills, stairmasters, ellipticals, plate loaded machines, as well as a sauna, posing room and turf area.

“It seems big, but we need more space,” Powell said. “Right now, we have enough.”

Powell, a Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School graduate, said he’s sunk “a lot of money” into the facility. Powell also played baseball for the Boilermakers and at the collegiate level.

Unknown Strength has 24-hour access with any paid membership, and it’s normal business hours that will be staffed are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

Monthly memberships cost $52.99 per month, while for first responders and military and veterans, the fee is $47.99 per month. A day pass is $10, and a weekly pass $20.

Powell works as a full-time deputy sheriff for the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department, and he has a passion for this new venture.

“I’m definitely busy,” he said.

Right now Powell is running the operation along with his assistant Chase Bouck.

For more information, visit unknownstrength.com or call 815-907-7164.

Pizza Hut in Kankakee closes

The Pizza Hut lovers will need to find an alternative site to satisfy their cravings because the Kankakee location has been closed.

The restaurant is permanently closed, per its page on Google.

Located at 375 W. Court St., the restaurant had been in business at the location since July 2019.

Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis said he had not been made aware the restaurant had been closed. He drove to the property in an attempt to learn more information, but a sign simply stated the location was closed.

The Pizza Hut site had previously been the longtime home for Donut King. Donut King closed in April 2014.

Compiled by Chris Breach and Lee Provost.