Peoria Standard

Illinois state Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) recently gave a shoutout to The Edge Eatery & Drinkatorium in Rapids City.

"The Edge Eatery & Drinkatorium was voted as the #1 Dive Bar Road Trip Bar in 2023," Spain said in an April 22 Facebook post. "I presented HR 213 in honor of this designation and delivered them a copy. Thank you to all the voters who promoted this local business. Mayor Harold Mire also stopped by the Edge for a great chat. The place was filled with customers that were still so excited for the big win! Congratulations to Lynn and Donnie Hunt for creating such a great place!"

Sponsored by Spain, House Resolution 213 honors The Edge Eatery & Drinkatorium for their accomplishment of being crowned the nationwide Dive Bar Road Trip champion. Spain filed the resolution on April 18, and it was approved on April 20.

In an April 21 Facebook post, The Edge Eatery and Drinkatorium issued their own proclamation of sorts, recognizing Spain and the people who made it possible.

"Whereas, The Edge Eatery & Drinkatorium wants to dedicate this resolution from the State of Illinois recognizing The Edge as The #1 Dive Bar Road Trip Bar for 2023 to Melissa Lanning and her leadership of the social media campaign crew and all the boots in the bars getting votes!!" the post said. "Ryan Spain. Life is fun in the Village of Rapids City, I do proclaim!!"

The Edge Eatery and Drinkatorium is located at 1802 2nd Ave. in Rapids City, Ill.

The Dive Bar Road Trip is a project of CJ Whillock, who started visiting dive bars with friends, and the adventure grew.

"We want to celebrate everything Dive Bar so we are traveling the USA visiting these hidden gems and sharing their stories with you," Whillock said on the Road Trip's website.

Ryan Spain has represented the people of the 73rd District since 2017, his website biography said. Before serving in the state legislature, he was elected to the Peoria City Council as the youngest at-large member in Peoria history, a seat he held until fall of 2016. Spain is currently employed at OSF Healthcare System as the vice president of Economic Development.