By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Last month’s most-read Rock River Current story was also one of our shortest.
It broke the news of what’s coming to the Forest Plaza shopping center between Office Max and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
News about new retailers and restaurants once again was at the top of our most-read list for the month. The 10 most-read stories also included the emotional story of Shawn Way and his courageous battle with ALS, and coverage of a developer’s plans to transform the Barber-Colman factory into a mix of apartments and businesses.
Related: Restaurant news and construction projects dominate our list of 10 most-read stories in June
All year long, we’ve been sharing with you our 10 most-read stories each month. We track to see what type of stories you’re interested in most, and we share the list so you can catch up on anything you may have missed.
Here are the 10 most-read stories from July.
Here’s the new retailer moving in between Office Max and Dick’s Sporting Goods
A new retailer that helps you gear up for the great outdoors is moving into the Forest Plaza shopping center.
Sierra, an outdoor retailer that’s part of TJX Companies, is under construction at 6449 E. State St., which is between Office Max and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Full story here
New Rockford restaurant aims to elevate the city’s ramen scene
Scott Souvannasane wants to elevate the city’s ramen scene, and he’s starting with the dishes he’ll build from scratch at his new restaurant.
We told you about Souvannasane’s plans to fill the former KFC/Long John Silver’s later this month. However, he said recently that he will no longer move into that space and is now searching for a new home for his business, Ryusei Ramen and Izakaya. We’ll provide an update when the new location is determined.
Mexican restaurant with late-night kitchen opens in former Granite City space
A Mexican seafood restaurant with a high-end bar, late-night kitchen and live music is slated opened in mid-July in the former Granite City Food & Brewery outside CherryVale Mall.
El Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill fills the space at 7140 Harrison Ave. in Cherry Valley.
Full story here.
A new family-owned restaurant is bringing authentic Indonesian cuisine to Rockford
Martha Susilawati and Juliawati Caudell want to spread joy throughout Rockford with their cooking, and in doing so introduce Rockford to authentic cuisine from their home country.
The natives of Surabaya, Indonesia, are preparing to open Bento & Bowl at 3206 S. Alpine Road within about two months.
They’re busy renovating a vacant space that was once home to China Express and later Jamaica on the Grill.
Full story here.
Fourth of July fireworks will include some blasts that have ‘never been seen before in the Midwest’
This story previewing the Fourth of July fireworks detailed what was to be expected from the display put on by Pyrotechnico, the largest fireworks show designer in North America.
Related: Photos: 2023 Fourth of July Fireworks in Rockford
Belvidere primed for new downtown train station
When the first Metra trains roll through Belvidere in about four years, passengers will get on and off at a station designed to keep them connected to the shops, stores and attractions in the city’s downtown.
The city’s future passenger platform is planned to be built just east of South State Street, roughly between City Hall and the Boone County Museum of History.
Read the full story here.
Shawn Way faces ALS with courage and grace
Shawn Way, the co-founder of Rockford Bank & Trust and former CEO of Milestone Inc., is facing ALS with a focus on making the best of the final chapter of his life.
Read the full story here.
Developer signs deal committing to redevelop Barber-Colman factory
A month of contentious City Council meetings ended with unanimous approval of plans to redevelop the Barber-Colman factory in southwest Rockford and the developer signing the deal to go forward with the $430 million project.
Read the full story here
New Mexican restaurant to take over former Los Portales space in downtown
A new restaurant taking over the former Los Portales space on the eastern edge of downtown plans to introduce a variety of street tacos and other dishes popular in the owner’s birthplace.
Claudia Rodriguez is preparing to open Jalisco and Tequila at 805 E. State St. in mid-August.
Read the full story here
Hard Rock marks key construction milestone on future casino
Hard Rock Casino Rockford celebrated a milestone on its path to opening last month, hoisting the final steel beam into place for the future casino.
The goal for Hard Rock is to open in late summer 2024.
Read the full story here.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas