120 N. Wilmor Rd

The history of the commercial property at 120 N. Wilmor Road goes back to 1965 when Gerald DeBolt constructed a bicycle shop for then-Mayor John Blumenshine at 117 Peoria Street. During construction, DeBolt remarked that the quaint structure would make a great donut shop.

Fast-forward to 1970. The building at 117 Peoria had become available, so DeBolt decided to test his theory and opened the family-run Wagon Wheel Donut Shop there on May 27, 1970.

Gerald and Doris DeBolt had no experience in the donut trade, but they were quick learners, and the business was successful to the point that parking and traffic became a real issue in the high-use area.

Just a year or two after opening the Wagon Wheel, the family eyed expansion. Gerald began planning the construction of a larger restaurant and eventually purchased the farmland at 120 Wilmor Road for this new venture. Built by Gerald, Doris, and the entire family, the building was mostly brick and ceramic tile. The new, larger Wagon Wheel Restaurant opened for business in January 1974.

With a greatly expanded menu and bakery, the Wagon Wheel continued until around 1978, when it closed.

In the spring of 1979, Charlie Fuller opened Charlie's Vittles & Spirits for a short-lived two-year venture.  Fuller would take another stab at the bar/restaurant market in 1988 when he opened C.C. Fuller's at 1841 Washington Road.

Girardi's Restaurant opened at 120 Wilmor in 1980. It was operated by long-time Central Illinoisan Jerry Girardi. The menu added some Italian dishes to Charlie's offerings. The restaurant managed a respectable four-year tenure before closing its doors in 1984.

After the closing of Girardi's came a slew of short-lived attempts at the location:

Becky’s Rainbow Inn: 1985-1986
Champ’s: 1986-1988
Subs N Such: 1989-1990
The Armory: 1990
Rosie’s: 1991-1993

In 1993, the Turnbull family stepped in and opened up Katy T's, a classic local watering hole that became very popular.

Katy T's remained opened for 30 years, closing in 2023.  In 2024, Katy T's was replaced by The Blue Ox.