I was born under the sultry summer sun of central Illinois on August 26th, 2004 at 7:00 pm.  Nearly 1000 people gathered in lines spiraling all the way around me to ogle my 10,165 square feet stuffed full of gear that night.  In my parking lot, bands belted Boston and Black Sabbath, crooned Clapton and Cream covers, and piped popular Pumpkins and Pearl Jam tunes, while inside the scene sizzled as the celebration of my birth continued throughout the night.  After six wailing weeks of wishful labor, at last I had arrived.  Peoria was finally the proud new parent of the nation’s largest and most prominent musical instrument retailer, Guitar Center.

Being seven years old is pretty great, and to say I’ve done a lot of growing over the years would be an understatement.  Today, I have a fully interactive recording studio display featuring Imac computers and the most cutting edge software in my recording section, while featuring a state of the art Lighting Show in my Live Room.  I also offer a free Recording Made Easy workshop every Saturday morning from 10-11 AM where you’ll learn everything from basic tracking to creating a finished song.  Are you looking for that next great deal, say, something a little "previously loved?"  Guitars, amps, pedals, recording equipment, drums?  Well look no further!  Yep, I have them all, in fact I feature the largest collection of used gear within 200 miles, hundreds and hundreds of pieces, all right here within my walls!  Want more?  Head on over to my Accessories department and check out my GC Garage area featuring my full time, fully certified Instrument Technician Aaron Austin.   From simple set ups to total re-frets, Aaron is your man!  

Speaking of your man, when you’re in, you should ask to meet my Store Manager, Matt Winter.  He’s a real swell guy and he takes great care of me, making sure his crew is constantly all over me keeping me clean, fresh, and up to date with the newest displays and products.   And speaking of his crew, his Assistant Managers are really, really swell.  First there’s Brandon Isbell, my Sales Training Manager.  He’s constantly everywhere, in every department, making sure every single customer leaves completely delighted!  Then there’s Mike Madanat.  You can find him most days in my Audio department smiling, selling, and searching for your next perfect piece of gear.  And finally, there’s Billy Turner.  Besides being my foremost guitar & pedal aficionado, he prides himself on his overabundance of positive customer service letters!   Billy can be found nearly any day of the week delighting customers in our Guitar and Accessories Departments.

One of my favorite features, um… of me… is my location.  We are just feet from Interstate 74 in the Westlake Shopping Center, and man, are my neighbors great!  I live right between “The Fresh Market” and “Sushigawa” directly across the road from The Northwoods Mall. 

The next time you need something, or if you’re just in the area, come on in and check me out!  From Apple computers to Egnater amps, from DW drums to Way Huge pedals, from Gibson Les Pauls to Fender Strats, from lighting to live sound, from strings to sticks, I have exactly what you’re looking for.  And if I don’t have it right here within my walls, I can have it shipped here, or even directly to you, from my offsite warehouse within days! 

So here I am, Guitar Center Peoria, waiting to help you make music.  Come on in and see me.