Some of the most-read stories in February 2023 include a Belvidere couple’s plans for a new brewery, the Rockford Speedway’s closure announcement, potential demolition of the former Nelson Knitting Factory and the opening of Chavez Mexican Restaurante. (Photos by Kevin Haas and Paul A. Arco/Rock River Current)By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Last month’s most-read story was about a local couple’s plans to open the first brewery in downtown Belvidere.
Ryan and Cheryl Morris are renovating space at 515 S. State St. for Full Circle Brewery.
Readers were also drawn to multiple stories about the Rockford Speedway, which announced in early February that its next season would be its last, and several other stories about new businesses in town.
Previously: Our Top 10 most-read stories from January
We keep track of what readers engage with the most to help decide where to focus our future coverage. We share our top stories list with you each month so you can catch up with any of the big stories you may have missed.
Here are the 10 most-read stories from February:
A hoppy couple: Belvidere natives plan to open downtown brewery
Ryan and Cheryl Morris are renovating 515 S. State St. in Belvidere to open Full Circle Brewery. The space was previously a travel agency. They’re pictured on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)This article published on Valentine’s Day told the story of Cheryl and Ryan Morris, who plan to open Full Circle Brewery at 515 S. State St. in Belvidere.
Why now? Behind the Rockford Speedway’s decision to make this its final season
Susan Deery pauses to wipe away a tear on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, as she thanks fans, competitors and sponsors who supported the Rockford Speedway. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)Rockford Speedway announced Feb. 8 that this upcoming season – its 76th – will be its last laps before closure. This follow-up story looked closer at how the family reached its decision to close.
‘I’m happy to finally open’: Chavez Mexican Restaurant opens in Rockford
Chavez Mexican Restaurante opened Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, at 5494 E. State St., Rockford. (Photo by Paul A. Arco/Special to the Rock River Current)Chavez Mexican Restaurant, 5494 E. State St., opened Feb. 15 in the former Tumbleweed Southwest Grill.
Jose Chavez, who previously operated Fuego Nuevo Grill on Spring Creek Road, had worked for about a year to renovate the space for his new restaurant
Rockford Speedway says this season will be its last, ending 76 years of racing history
Rockford Speedway on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, at 9572 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)The Rockford Speedway said Feb. 8 that this upcoming season would be the last in its 76-year history.
The roughly 50-acre property will be transitioned to HJS Development for commercial development.
Live-action laser tag to return to former Laser Quest in Rockford
Laser Quest, 293 Executive Parkway, closed in September 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has operated for 27 years in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)A laser tag business that ran for nearly three decades is being revamped to reopen under new ownership and with new technology that brings the game into the modern era.
Sector 815 plans to take over the space at 293 Executive Parkway and open in March.
Here are your ‘best of’ winners for Rockford region restaurant week
Lino’s Restaurant is located at 5611 E. State St., in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced on Feb. 7 the five winners for Rockford Region Restaurant Week.
Nelson Knitting Factory, once proposed as a museum site, now appears destined for demolition
Work began this week to remove asbestos and other hazards from the former Nelson Knitting factory, 909 S. Main St., Rockford. The building is shown on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)Environmental cleanup began earlier this year at the former Nelson Knitting Factory, 909 S. Main St, in Rockford.
Once it’s done it could be repurposed or demolished. However, city officials say its unlikely the building can be saved because it was almost completely gutted by the former owner.
What will happen with Hard Rock’s temporary casino? Here’s the leading idea
Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Rockford, on Feb. 2 was the first speaker in a new series from the Rockford Chamber of Commerce called The Update, and he detailed what may become of the interim casino at 610 N. Bell School road once the full resort opens at East State Street and Interstate 90.
The “leading idea” is for a culinary school, he said.
Carpenter’s Corner thrift store to open in March at former Rural Oaks Schnucks
Carpenter’s Corner thrift store is slated to open at 1715 Rural St. in Rockford on March 9, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)Carpenter’s Corner, a thrift store at 1715 Rural St., will open to the public on March 9 after a VIP event the day before. The opening comes nearly two years after the nonprofit, which works to help homeless men and women rebuild their lives, bought the former Hilander and Schnucks grocery store.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe to open first Rockford location this spring
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is moving into this space at 1998 McFarland Road in Rockford. Interior construction work is ongoing on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, and the company hopes to open by April 1. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to open its first location in Rockford this spring.
We first delivered that story on Feb. 13, and then published a follow-up on Feb. 22 about the restaurant chain’s plans to expand across the region.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.