Former Peoria business owner Nathaniel Randle passed away October 6, 2021, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. The 87-year-old Randle was a co-owner of N &R Supreme Beauty Salon & Supply House currently located at 609 S. Western Avenue in Peoria. What started as a beauty salon in the basement of his Butler Street home grew into a business empire with products in Decatur, Springfield, Galesburg, Champaign, Bloomington-Normal and Danville.
The late Rosie Randle, Nathaniel’s wife, was the visionary behind the business. The couple decided to move the beauty salon from their home and expand it. Their new location was just a few blocks away at 623 S. MacArthur Hwy, where they added a large beauty supply store, salon and brought in a team of licensed cosmetologists. N&R Supreme Beauty Supply was a major distributor to salons and stores throughout Central Illinois. Their two children, Gail and Ronnie and other relatives worked at the company and helped it become the first and largest black-owned beauty supply store in Peoria. Randle often drove to Chicago to purchase hair supplies from Johnson Products. N&R Supreme became so successful Randle gave up his day job to devote himself full-time to the company.
When asked about the secret to his success, he often attributed it to having a dream, passion, and discipline. He was a big supporter of the NAACP and a member of the Masonic Hall.
Nathaniel Randle, the oldest of 10 siblings, grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. His brothers L.A. and Frank both owned successful businesses. Another brother Robert Randle pastored a church and owned Peoria Palace Skating Rink. Charles Randle founded Illinois Business Financial Services, a government lending group for small businesses.
On September 18, 2021, the Black Business Alliance awarded Nathaniel Randle the Business Pioneer Award. Minority Business Development owner Denise Moore made the presentation during the annual gala at the Par-a-dice Hotel. The award was given in appreciation of his contribution to the economic empowerment of the African American Community. Randle’s daughter Gail currently operates the business at Western Avenue.
The Traveler Weekly 