Inzombia Coffee owner Pete DuFoe hands a customer her order on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at the coffee shop’s second location inside the Education Resource Center at Rock Valley College in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app

ROCKFORD  — Patient zero was in downtown. Now, Inzombia is spreading.

This isn’t the beginning of a horror flick. It’s the beginning of a new era for a locally-owned coffee shop.

Inzombia Coffee, which is known for its ’90s theme and its seasonal and specialty drink creations, has opened a second location inside the Education Resource Center at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road.

More business: From sneakers to streetwear and Fred VanVleet gear, new Rockford shop opens on East State

Inzombia fills the space that was occupied by Meg’s Daily Grind until it closed in May 2020. A poll on campus showed a majority of students wanted a coffee shop back, according to Donavan Golden, who helped connect Inzombia with the RVC administration.

Inzombia opened its original shop at 306 E. State St. in downtown in June 2022.

“I always said that every year I want to talk about the next location,” owner Pete DuFoe said. “Our second location happened exactly when I wanted it to happen. I’m very thankful.

“After our one-year anniversary over at Inzombia one, a couple months later – boom – Inzombia 2 happens.”

The Rock Valley College location also has pastries such as cinnamon rolls and churros from Sugarjones, a locally owned dessert bakery.

“It’s really nice to have a coffee shop so close, especially when it’s right on campus,” said Ava Lindvall, a second-year student at RVC . “I’m always running in the morning to get coffee or something. I’ve heard about their location in downtown Rockford so it’s really cool that they’re able to branch out.”

Allena Oddo pours a drink on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at Inzombia Coffee at Rock Valley College in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Inzombia had a soft opening Wednesday with more than 250 customers. The grand opening was Thursday, when long lines of customers again gathered at the shop.

For many of the students, the ’90s theme is from an era before they were born. But students like Mya Goral, 18, still recognize the memorabilia like Nickelodeon posters, Pac Man and the Spice Girls.

“I like it. It’s interesting,” she said. “It’s stuff from my childhood.”

More business: Maze Books ‘grew up.’ The independent bookstore has opened in a new space in Rockford

Inzombia’s name is derived from that zombie-like feeling you may have before you’ve had your morning coffee.

DuFoe said students who frequent the downtown shop wanted to see him open at RVC, and now his brand named after the brain-devouring undead has a spot on campus.

“It was a no-brainer that we needed to be here.”

About | Inzombia at RVC

Where: Inside the Education Resource Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday

On the web: facebook.com/inzombiacoffee; @inzombiacoffee on Instagram

Phone: 815-921-1671

Inzombia Coffee owner Pete DuFoe chats with a customer on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at the coffee shop’s location inside Rock Valley College. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

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