The sale of an iconic West Peoria family entertainment center means the end of an era for one family, but the new owners are excited for a new chapter in Kartville’s 62-year history.
Mike and Karina Hinton recently purchased Kartville from previous owner David Baker. Mike Hinton indicated they are planning to further invest in Kartville by adding new food and beverage options and new attractions.
“We don’t want to give away all of our secrets, but we have tons of ideas and we’re excited to take Kartville to the next level,” he said. “We also invite conversations with the local organizations interested in part of this growth. So, please stay tuned.”
Patrons treating their children or grandchildren to a day at Kartville likely remembered childhood outings there of their own.
Baker’s father, Al Baker, and Jess Buehler founded the fun center in 1963 when they discovered an abandoned go-cart track. Over the years, they added batting cages, dune buggies, miniature golf, bumper boats and a concession stand. Al Baker purchased Buehler’s share of the business and passed along ownership to his son in 1988. Baker operated the entertainment center for 37 years before deciding to sell.
“Once I met Mike, talked to him a little bit, he seemed like the right person to carry on the tradition here,” Baker said. “I have three daughters, and they’re all doing what they went to school to do, so they’re not really interested in running Kartville.”
Baker’s future plans include “a lot of relaxing, a little fishing, and a bunch of traveling.” After four decades of providing fun for other families, he plans to spend time with his own family, including grandchildren.
The Hintons vowed to continue Kartville’s legacy of making memories with safe, affordable family fun.
“Family means the world to us,” Karina Hinton said. “We are looking forward to raising our kids here in the summers along with the community’s children.”
Kartville is located at 919 N. Swords Ave., West Peoria. Hours of operation are 12 to 9 p.m. daily.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Kartville sold to new owners vowing to continue its legacy in West Peoria
Reporting by Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
