PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - The long awaited CJ Harvest grocery store on Peoria’s south side is facing another delay, but owner Chuck Brown says he’s still optimistic the doors will open by the end of the year.

Brown, a lifelong resident and community advocate, has been working for four years to turn the former storefront into a neighborhood market offering fresh produce, a deli and a seating area. But he says progress has been slower than expected as he continued waiting for financial support.

“No one wants to open this store more than we do. It’s just they have their procedures and the frustration within our community is pretty much the same as some of the other communities. We understand it, but when they reward you they don’t just hand you a check, it takes time,” said Brown.

The open

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