Our Top 10 most-read stories in January
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Last month’s most-read story was about two tradesmen’s efforts to refurbish a decades old downtown tavern while keeping its historic character intact.
News about businesses coming to or leaving the area dominated our list of the most-read stories in January.
We keep track of what readers engage with the most to help decide where to dedicate our efforts. We share our top stories list with you so you can catch up with any of the big stories you may have missed.
Related: Each month’s most-read Rock River Current story in 2022
Here are our 10 most-read stories for January.
New downtown tavern pays homage to Rockford’s history
Kelly Fosberg and Jeff Lindquist are refurbishing the former J-Bears Place, 315 S. Main St. in downtown Rockford, with a goal to open their new Wood & Brick Tavern later this month.
The tavern’s name is an homage to the two tradesmen’s careers. Lindquist has spent more than 42 years as a woodworker, and Kelly Fosberg has worked as a brick mason for nearly 30 years.
Developers target spring for Five Guys, Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Machesney Park
Developers say they’re targeting spring to complete a three-tenant building near the corner of Illinois 173 and Illinois 251 in Machesney Park that will house Five Guys, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and a third business that has yet to be named.
New event space opens near former Schnucks on Rockton Avenue in Rockford
A new business inside the Rockton Avenue Shopping Center is designed to give residents an inviting setting for baby showers, birthday parties, community meetings and other events.
Vee’s Showtime, 3142 N. Rockton Ave., celebrated its grand opening Jan. 21 in space next to the former Schnucks.
Rockford’s last locally owned camera store is for sale as owner Tom Brady plans to retire
Tom Brady plans to retire after running Camera Craft, 3801 N. Perryville Road in Rockford, for more than 25 years.
Brady bought the company from his father in 1997, and has been working at the store since he was a child doing odd jobs and cleanup in the late 1960s.
He’s actively pursuing a buyer for the company in hopes it can continue after he retires.
Designer clothing retailer moving from downtown Rockford into Edgebrook
Eurostyle+, a retailer of designer clothing, shoes, jewelry and other fashion accessories, plans to move from downtown Rockford to space inside the Edgebrook shopping center.
The fashion retailer at 510 E. State St. plans to fill the space formerly occupied by The Gaming Goat at Edgebrook, 1639 N. Alpine Road.
The move comes as 510 Threads, a retailer located on the front half of the downtown building Eurostyle+ occupies, plans to close and lease the entire 4,000-square-foot space to Salvaged by Sonya.
Large funeral procession to escort North Park firefighter past station to funeral home
Firefighters and emergency workers from across the region came together at the start of the month to honor the life and legacy of North Park firefighter Brian Rehnberg.
Rehnberg died from what’s been described as a cardiac event shortly after completing his Christmas Day shift. He was 50 years old.
Related: ‘Let’s all be like Brian’: Hundreds gather to pay tribute to North Park firefighter
A look inside the history and decay of the Barber-Colman complex
This feature story provided a look inside the massive Barber-Colman complex on South Main Street in Rockford.
Milwaukee-based J. Jeffers & Co., a real estate development firm that specializes in historic rebuilds, plans to transform the property into 964 living units and roughly 130,000 square feet of commercial space. Their work is expected to cost more than $400 million.
A downtown Rockford retail shop’s closure will allow another business to grow
510 Threads, 510 E. State St., plans to close in mid-February as owner Sandi Kohn plans to retire from the retail business.
However, the closure will allow another downtown business to close.
Salvaged by Sonya is moving its retro and vintage home and garden shop into a space, which is more than double the size of its previous home a few blocks west on State Street.
Rockford mayor says local sheriffs wrong for refusing to enforce state’s assault weapons ban
Mayor Tom McNamara weighed in on the controversial decision by sheriffs here and across Illinois who have refused to enforce the state’s newly enacted ban on military-style weapons.
“They are there to — yes, uphold the Constitution and also uphold state laws — and they’re not the ones who get to choose which laws they enforce,” he said Jan. 13 when asked by a television reporter to respond to local sheriffs’ decision.
The courts are now working through multiple lawsuits designed to prevent the law from going into effect.
Popeyes in Rockford reopens more than 3 months after being struck by vehicle
The Popeyes restaurant on East State Street reopened last month after being shuttered for more than three months because a vehicle crashed into the west side of the building.
The restaurant at 3509 E. State St. reopened on Jan. 25 after making repairs to the property stemming from the Oct. 7 crash.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas
