A new franchise is coming to Peoria, having expanded from a one-man project in 2004 to locations in 17 states (and counting!) and the District of Columbia. The idea first came to Josh Cohen, a student at the University of Connecticut, like a bolt of lightning. After going door-to-door and handing out fliers all over town, the 21-year-old recognized the demand for professional, environmentally-focused junk removal services. Hence, The Junkluggers.

Fast-forward 15 years, and Tim Cole, home efficiency specialist and owner of PCB Insulators in Peoria, became The Junkluggers’ newest franchisee, learning of the opportunity through its national dealer network. “It was an immediate fit for our existing business, and we plan to have it be an integral part of our focus to give back to the community,” Cole explains.

With two “luggers” and a 15 cubic-yard dumpster, they’ll haul away items large and small, organizing the truck for donations and recycling, then hitting the landfill as needed. Besides tapping into a number of national trends, including environmental awareness and the downsizing of house clutter, their mission is to provide a caring alternative to traditional junk removal by donating, recycling and supporting local charities. 

“It matters a lot that we can impact young adults moving into their first place, help provide for neighborhood associations like the East Bluff Community Center, and engage with EPIC! graduates to make the initial transition to living alone less intimidating,” Cole adds. “We want to eliminate landfill waste, provide great service and have an impact on our local community.”

Junkluggers of Central Illinois officially launched at the Spring Home Show in Peoria over the weekend of February 28 to March 1. junkluggers.com PM