For the Moment, Drew Peterson Grabs Spotlight in Chester - But Popeye's Still the Star

CHESTER, IL — Drew Peterson may have been the most talked about man in the tiny Downstate town of Chester last week, but the place still belongs to Popeye the Sailor Man.

Eleven statues of Popeye and other characters from his cartoon stand around town with a 12th to be erected soon. Murals of Popeye and his friends are all over the place, including one in Tequila’s restaurant of the sailor man, Olive Oyl, Wimpy and Swee'Pea dressed in Mexican attire.

But Chester’s main attraction is Spinach Can Collectibles, a museum and shop stocked with Popeye paraphernalia dating back to the Great Depression.

Spinach Can Collectibles was started by Debbie and Mike Brooks in 1994. The couple — both avid Popeye fans — heard the character’s creator, Elzie Crisler Segar, had been born in Chester. So they decided to head over to check out the Popeye Picnic. They were so impressed the left their Memphis home and moved to Chester for good.

In 1993, they bought the Chester “Opera House” and converted the old theater into their Popeye museum and store.

In the more than 20 years since, Debbie said, they have transformed Chester’s image. The town, which had already identified with Popeye, was better known for its maximum security prison, which has housed the likes of John Wayne Gacy, Christopher Vaughn, Josh Miner, and of course, Drew Peterson. But since Debbie and Mike hit town, 10 of the 11 statues went up and Chester has become synonymous with Popeye.

Popeye fans from 70 countries and all 50 states have visited Spinach Can Collectibles, Debbie said.

“It’s just great for the town,” she said.

Debbie’s father was a sailor stationed in Long Beach, California, but that’s not why she loves Popeye. The story is actually somewhat shocking.

“What’s weird is I was kidnapped at 5 years old,” Debbie said.

Her parents had left her to be watched by neighbor girls who brought her to a local park in Long Beach.

“Some man lured me away from the park, told me my mother would pick me up at the end of the road,” Debbie said.

The man took her to an abandoned shed and ordered her not to leave. The girls went to the police and a search was launched.

“They said the found me crying, carrying my shoes, saying, ‘I got strong like Popeye,’” Debbie recalled. “So apparently I’m a Popeye nut at 5 years old.”