Market News
Smokin' Notes BBQ coming to Bloomington
Former Bloomington IHOP Sold to Local Restaurant Operators for Second Smoking Notes BBQ Location
7/27/2026
Bloomington, IL — The former IHOP restaurant at 2109 E. Empire Street in Bloomington has been sold by the restaurant’s corporate owner to local operators Cedric and Anthony Riley, who plan to transform the property into the second regional location of Smoking Notes BBQ.
The property was previously operated as a franchised IHOP restaurant and owned by an affiliate of IHOP’s parent company. The sale transitions the high-profile restaurant property to local ownership and brings a growing Central Illinois dining concept to Bloomington-Normal.
Cedric and Anthony Riley opened the first Smoking Notes BBQ location in East Peoria in 2022. Building on the success of that restaurant, the Bloomington location will offer a full menu of barbecue staples, including smoked meats, traditional sides and signature dishes.
The owners are working with Tarter Construction to renovate the former IHOP building. Planned improvements will update the restaurant while taking advantage of the property’s existing commercial kitchen, dining area and prominent location along the East Empire Street retail corridor.
Smoking Notes BBQ also intends to apply for a liquor license, allowing the Bloomington restaurant to feature a full-service bar with beer, spirits and custom cocktails.
“We are excited to bring Smoking Notes BBQ to the Bloomington-Normal community and create a restaurant where people can enjoy great barbecue, drinks and time together,” said Cedric and Anthony Riley. “This location gives us an opportunity to build upon what we started in East Peoria and introduce the Smoking Notes experience to a new market.”
The new Smoking Notes BBQ is expected to open later this year following completion of the renovations and required licensing and approvals.
The sale represents the continued redevelopment and reuse of established restaurant properties within Bloomington’s primary commercial corridors while supporting the expansion of a locally operated Central Illinois business.
Smoking Notes BBQ is a locally operated barbecue restaurant known for smoked meats, traditional barbecue favorites and a welcoming dining experience. The company opened its first location in East Peoria in 2022 and is now expanding with a second location in Bloomington, Illinois.