815 Holiday Gift Guide | Shop local for clothes, toys, jewelry and more in the Rockford region
By Helen Karakoudas
Special to the Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — As the year’s busiest shopping season swings into full gear this weekend, we’ve made a humongous list of Shop Small gift ideas.
We’ve packed them into a digital 815 Holiday Gift Guide so that after buying groceries, whatever you can afford in presents for family and friends is spent meaningfully.
We’ve been visiting independent brick-and-mortar stores in and around Rockford for weeks to find gifts that say wow in a range of categories and prices. We’ve popped into shops as far west as Pecatonica and Durand, as far east as Belvidere, as far north as Rockton, and as far south as Cherry Valley. We’ve got you covered with in-depth info for Small Business Saturday (Nov. 25) and beyond.
To show off clothing, which the National Retail Federation says is second only to gift cards for what people like to receive, we corralled members of the community — as young as 9 months and as old as 66 — to show you how clothes and accessories look off the hanger and on a human.
In each category, you’ll see at least one suggestion. In several categories, we provide a list of other businesses to check out. In addition to things, we suggest experiences.
Most places also offer gift cards, which typically start at $20. If our suggestion doesn’t make sense but the destination does, consider putting what you can into a gift card. Our goal with the 815 Holiday Gift Guide is to showcase local businesses and help independent retailers in our neighborhoods thrive.
Yes, we know you love local restaurants. So for each place you see in a photo, we list nearby independent restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries.
We dropped numbers next to each suggestion so you could easily reference gifts that caught your eye when sharing the guide with your friends and family.
Gifts for Swifties
1) Check out stickers, magnets, pins, cards and keychains with images of megastar Taylor Swift or her song lyrics, plus some of her albums, at the 17-year-old shop for vinyl records and fun gifts on Charles Street in Rockford.
How much: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) album, $43; Reputation album, $50; card, $5; keychains, $10; pin, $10; stickers, $4 each of 3 for $10
Where: Culture Shock, 2239 Charles St., Rockford; 815–229-2997
Hours: Holiday hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Stockholm Inn, Sam’s Pizza
2) Check out Taylor Swift friendship bracelets at a new shop in downtown Rockton owned by a retired history teacher from Rockford.
How much: $2.50 each
Where: Ric-Rac Embellishments & Gifts, 109 W. Main St., Rockton
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee, Fibs, Rookie’s Pub and Grill, Ray’s Family Restaurant, Sam’s Pizza, Rockton Inn, The Mix, Dairyhäus
Gifts for sports enthusiasts
3) Check out what you need for disc golf at a screen printing shop in downtown Pecatonica that, during the pandemic, pivoted to selling goods for this popular outdoor sport.
How much: $15-$20 each for new discs; as low as $2 each for used discs
Where: Outta Bounds Disc Golf, 424 Main St., Pecatonica; (815) 985-0642
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Bootie’s Main Tap, Cimino’s Pizza, Rosie’s Coffee, Stone Wall Café, The 3rd Street Station
For sports equipment gifts over $20, check out Golf Shack, Rockford; Ground Floor Skateboards, Rockford; Kegel’s Bicycle Store, Rockford; Rocktown Adventures, Rockford; Subversive Cycling Company, Rockford
4) To give the gift of a sports experience:
West Rock Wake Park, where wakeboarding rides are $30 a session, offers e-gift cards starting at $25.
Rocktown Adventures, 313 N. Madison in Rockford, offers gift cards in any amount to go toward guided outings ranging from snowshoe hikes ($40 a person) to kayak trips on local rivers ($50 a person). The cost includes equipment rentals. 815–636-9066; 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Gifts for hosts
It’s possible to be both creative and thoughtful with host gifts when you shop in the 815. It’s also possible to spend less than a dollar and get a specialty product.
5) Check out plant-based tablets for your dishwasher at Earth Zero Waste in downtown Rockford, where there’s no packaging and no need to buy a certain quantity.Along with a range of eco-friendly cleaning supplies, there are eco-friendly cleaning tools like scrubbing brushes with palm-fiber heads for pots and pans and bamboo heads for dishes. Heads for the brushes with handles are replaceable.
How much: Dishwasher tablets, 52 cents each. Handheld scrubbers, $7. Handled scrubbing brushes, $10.
Where: Earth Zero Waste, 327 W. Jefferson St., Rockford
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Mo’s Coffee and Cafe, Octane, Cantina Taco, District Bar and Grill, Tortilla Express, TNT Funnel Cakes
6) Check out dinner bells, among other artisan goods from Mexico in a transformed DMV facility. Mexico Magico opened in late October at the edge of a residential area east of downtown Belvidere. Half the space is a dulceria (candy store); the rest showcases artesanías (handcrafts).
How much: Clay bells from Veracruz, $37 each; terra cotta heart ornaments, from Guadalajara, $17 each; pressed tin hearts, $6 each
Where: Mexico Magico, 1550 Pearl St., Belvidere; 224-202-2007
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Backstop Bar & Grill, Farel’s Grill
7) Check out the simple syrup selection at Rooted, a nearly 2-year-old home goods and vintage furniture boutique in the space that had been Cacciatore’s Main Market in Rockford’s North End. Mixologists we know love the options each of these offers for elevating both cocktails and mocktails.
How much: $10-$16
Where: Rooted, 1408 N. Main St., Rockford; 815–494-3649
Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sunday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Wonderland Sweets, a high-end pastry shop, is within this store! Two doors down, The Norwegian
8) Check out the hundreds of pieces of Polish pottery electrifying the front corner of Shine home goods shop in Loves Park with color and pattern. Sought after by collectors for its designs and trusted by home cooks for its durability, Polish pottery makes for a treasured gift. Shops that stock it often focus on the larger baking and serving pieces. This shop, tucked in a strip center next to Choices market, has everything from grand platters to stoppers.
How much: Mini creamer, $19; wine stoppers, $22-24; spoon rest with tree and reindeer designs, $30; teardrop-shaped spoon rest (middle); $25; wider spoon rest with flower design, $47; bowls (left), $40-50
*15% savings on Small Business Weekend (Friday-Sunday, November 24-26) on most things in the shop, including all the Polish pottery
Where: Shine, 6730 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park; (815) 977-4332
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Thrive Café, Maciano’s Pizza and Pastaria
9) Check out linoleum block-printed tea towels and table runners which Sarah Reed-McNamara, a Rockford artist with a national following for her textiles, makes and sells in her downtown Rockford shop. Patterns reflect the region’s Scandinavian history, her Mexican heritage, midcentury modern design, and her love of motifs in nature. Peep the printing press behind the checkout counter.
Where: SRM Prints Studio + Gift Shop, 330 E State St, Rockford
How much: Block-printed tea towels, $25-$35; block-printed table runners, $75; block-printed textile squares (shown in the foreground – an option for adding detail to other fiber art or to upcycled clothing), $5
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, November 24; 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, November 25; 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 26.
Week of November 27: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, December 2; 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 3.
To keep up with weekly changes to hours through the holiday season for this mom of two young humans, follow SRM Prints on Facebook or Instagram.
Food/drink nearby: Inzombia Coffee, Carlyle Brewing Co., Woodfire Pizza, Wired Café, Magpie, Crust & Crumbles, Quixotic Bakery, Omakase, LimaMar, Sisters Thai Cafe, Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails, Abreo
Other area stores with gifts for hosts: Village Green, Rockford; Porch, Rockford; Proper, Rockford
Gifts of fashion made in Rockford
10) Check out dresses designed and sewn by Collettia “Cleta” Berryhill from boldly patterned, colorful fabric that she imports from Africa. In the southside Rockford corner storefront where Berryhill and her late brother for decades ran Ruben’s Pharmacy, Cleta, as her friends call her, sells fabrics from Nigeria, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in addition to garments she meticulously sews from these fabrics. Proceeds help fund Berryhill’s nonprofit, where she offers free sewing and quilting classes for children and anyone else in the community who wants to learn this skill.
How much: Dresses, each one–of–a–kind, start at $70; dress shown is $70.Fabric from Africa is sold in 6-yard bundles; each bundle is $60.
Where:Cleta’s Stay and Sew, 1029 S. Main St., Rockford
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Food/drink nearby:Mexican street food intheseating area at the back of La Chiquitagrocery store(kitty-corner in the building with the mural of a little girl); Tower Kitchen and Bar, Rockford Roasting Co., Wood and Brick Tavern, Ambiance Cuisine, Mi Ranchito
11) Check out silk-ribbon scarves and tops made by fiber artist Ellyn Ahmer of Rockford, one of 30 local artisans whose work is featured at Inscape Collective, the live music and art gallery in Rockford’s Midtown district which had been home to Just Goods Fair Trade Store.
To create the “fabric” for each piece, Ahmer hand-dyes silk ribbon and hand-knots it into a type of thread that she then knits with, both by machine and by hand. Variegated colors in her work pair well with jewelry that Barbara Berney, a former Rockfordian, makes from rare beads and semiprecious stones.
How much: Silk-ribbon tops and scarves, $45 to $95; top shown is $65; scarf shown is $83.
Jewelry made with rare beads and/or semiprecious stones, $15 to $175; necklace shown (handmade lampwork borosilicate glass/amethyst/Super Seven crystal/copper) $149; ruby zoisite/sterling silver bracelet, $110
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 30 minutes before, and during intermission of, concerts and other events in Inscape Collective’s Community Room
Food/drink nearby: Hai Quynh Vietnamese Restaurant, Tien Tea House, La Michoacana Denisse, Katie’s Cup, Ernie’s Midtown Pub
12) Check out bracelets and other jewelry made by Tamika Brown at Infinite Soul Vibrations in downtown Rockford, her full-service metaphysical shop. Trained in trauma-informed healing techniques, Brown offers a range of options to encourage people to pause and be mindful of their own care. What she calls intention bracelets are one option. If the symbolism that she explains for a ready-made bracelet doesn’t track for you, she can make a custom one – often the same day – from the healing crystals and beads she stocks.
How much: $40 for one bracelet; $60 for two
Where:Infinite Soul Vibrations, 333 E. State St., Rockford; 815–668-2301
Hours: 12 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday
Food/drink nearby:Inzombia Coffee,Carlyle Brewing Co., Woodfire Pizza, Wired Café, Magpie, Crust & Crumbles, Quixotic Bakery, Omakase, LimaMar, Sisters Thai Cafe, Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails, Abreo
Another shop with products for spiritual healing: Luna Datura, in Rockford’s Midtown district
Other fashion gifts for women
The epicenter of women’s apparel in Rockford is now Edgebrook, the shopping and dining village less than 2 miles east of Anderson Japanese Gardens.In 2023, fashion boutiques Eurostyle+ and Roxy Carmichael moved from other parts of the city to spaces near luxury-brand retailer B Jones, an Edgebrook destination since 2003, and Fur Company, at Edgebrook since 2011. Each shop has its specialty.
13) Check out trendy and classic every-day and special-occasion attire at Eurostyle+, including pieces chosen by the owner during her overseas travels.
How much: The dress shown, from a design house in California, is part of a two-piece $156 set that includes a (not pictured) gold metallic-accented, ivory-colored crop-top sweater. The shoulder wrap is a wool scarf from a designer in Amsterdam. The mosaic earrings are $275, hand-beaded by an Israeli designer.
Where: Eurostyle+, 1649 N. Alpine Road, Rockford; 815–222-7384
Hours: 10a.m. to 6p.m. Monday–Friday; 10a.m. to 4p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Baker Street Burgers, Sonny’s Place, Van Laar’s Farm Market & Bake Shop, Lucha Cantina
14) Check out upscale casual separates and accessories at Roxy Carmichael, a shop whose products include Rockford-themed hoodies and a line of flattering women’s jeans.
How much: $84 for the WOW sweater; $78 for the jeans; $82 for the mock crocodile handbag; $29 for the bracelet
Where: Roxy Carmichael, 1617A N. Alpine Road, Rockford; 815–316-7396
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Baker Street Burgers, Sonny’s Place, Van Laar’s Farm Market & Bake Shop, Lucha Cantina
15) Check out cocktail dresses and exclusive separates and accessories at B Jones, where every purchase comes with complimentary gift wrap.
How much: Dress shown, made in California of poly chiffon woven with metallic threads, is $465; necklace featuring an upcycled high-end designer locket is $398.
Where: B Jones, 1655 N. Alpine Road, Rockford; 815–397-8135
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. December 24; plus pop-ups before Christmas, to be announced on Instagram.
Food/drink nearby: Baker Street Burgers, Sonny’s Place, Van Laar’s Farm Market & Bake Shop, Lucha Cantina
16) Check out contemporary ensembles with dyed fur accents in addition to traditional new and previously owned fur coats, jackets, stoles, vests, hats and even backpacks at Fur Company, the Rockford region’s only furrier.
How much: Sweater and pant set, $395; coat, $450.
Where: Fur Company,1603 N. Alpine Road, Rockford; 815–397-7778
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Baker Street Burgers, Sonny’s Place, Van Laar’s Farm Market & Bake Shop, Lucha Cantina
Other area shops with women’s fashion: Bonnie’s Boutique, Rockford;Harper G Mercantile, Durand; Hello Beauti, Rockford; L&C Apparel, Rockford; MeMe’s Upscale Consignment Boutique, Roscoe; Porch, Rockford;Proper, Rockford; Rare Scum, Durand; Ric-Rac Embellishments & Gifts, Rockton
Fashion gifts for men
17) Check out suits (sizes 38-66), coats, tuxedos, jackets, sweaters, shirts, ties, bowties, hats, belts, dress socks and shoes at The Symbols in downtown Rockford, a shop that opened as a shoe store in 1971 and grew to add clothing in the 1980s. It’s now the region’s only remaining independent menswear store.
How much: Suits, $150-$250; suit shown, $170 (manufacturer’s suggested retail price, $400). Shirts, $25-$46; shirt shown, $28. Hats: $40-$80; hat shown, $60. All five-piece accessory sets, $30, include a bowtie, tie, pocket square, lapel flower and fabric-covered cufflinks. (Tie not shown.)
Where: The Symbols, 316 W. State St., Rockford; 815–965-2450
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Cantina Taco, District Bar and Grill, Tortilla Express, TNT Funnel Cakes, Mo’s Coffee and Cafe, Octane
18) Check out eclectic 1980s and 1990s vintage T-shirts, sweatshirts, pants, jackets, sweaters and hats at Smiley’s Vintage Supply Co., a 3-year-old shop next to Rockford City Market in downtown Rockford.
How much: Most clothing here is $20-$40. The 1993 Bulls championship T-shirt shown is $80. The leather 1990s Bulls starter jacket, a season-ticketholder exclusive, is $1,200. The 1990s Bulls splattered paint denim jacket (shown in the lead photo at the top of the story) is $260.
Where: Smiley’s Vintage Supply Co., 120 N. Madison St., Rockford; 815–871-0702
Hours: 12 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Magpie, Crust & Crumbles, Quixotic Bakery, Inzombia Coffee, Omakase, LimaMar, Carlyle Brewing Co., Woodfire Pizza, Wired Café, Sisters Thai Cafe, Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails, Abreo
19) Check out golf shirts, sweatshirts, dress shirts, suits, jackets, hats, dress shoes and sports shoes for men at L&C Apparel, a 7-month-old shop in Rockford’s North End owned and run by a couple who shop closeouts and clearances on their road trips and return with new merchandise at low prices in both men’s and women’s wear.
How much: Most men’s clothing is $20 to $75. Jacket shown, with sherpa lining, $130; hat, $25.
Where: 3213 N. Main St., Rockford; 779–770-1470
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Whiskey’s Roadhouse, Happy Wok, Guiseppi’s Pizza, Doughboys Donuts, Anna’s Pizza, Deli Italia, Panino’s Italian, Pino’s on Main, The Olympic Tavern, Mulligan’s Pub & Grill, Fiesta Tequila, Swedish Pancake House
20) Check out a small, well-curated collection of men’s boots, bolos, shirts, sweaters and jackets in the front right side of Rare Scum, a new shop in a 1920s building in downtown Durand that once housed the town grocery store. Alex Taylor, who had owned the custom banner and apparel shop Division & Company in Rockford, runs a tattoo business in the back. His wife and the shop’s co-owner, Anna Thomas, runs the vintage clothing business, which includes pieces for women in various styles and from many decades on the front left side of the shop.
How much: $15 to $200. The shirt shown is $40.
Where: Rare Scum, 403 N. Center St., Durand; 815-248-0010
Hours: 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday; 12 to 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Hogs and Hydrants, Cimino’s Pizza, Ref’s Bar and Grill, The Fire Barn, Ringo’s
Other area shops with men’s clothing: Culture Shock, Rockford; lnkwell Books and Threads, Rockton; Proper, Rockford; S’mores Collectibles & Vintage, Rockford; Weekdays Social Club, Rockford
Gifts for Kids
21) Check out clothing for newborns to pre-tweens from small design houses around the world at Taylor + Max children’s boutique in downtown Rockton. Owner Lisa Washington is passionate about finding pieces that are not only stylish, but which come from independent designers whose materials and processes meet standards for ethics and sustainability.
How much: Alpaca poncho jacket, $268; organic pima cotton top with a scarf neckline, $58; Merino wool beanie, $64 (all from Peru); jeans made in Portugal of organic mineral-dyed denim, $128; hot cocoa plush toy, $30
Where: Taylor + Max, 100 W. Main St., Rockton; 815–957–0290
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee, Fibs, Rookie’s Pub and Grill, Ray’s Family Restaurant, Sam’s Pizza, Rockton Inn, The Mix, Dairyhäus
22) Check out formal wear for boys from sizes 0 to 20 amid a mecca of gowns for women and girls at La Fiesta Bridal on Rockford’s south side.
How much: $50-$150 for a five-piece set that includes a jacket, pants, shirt, vest and bowtie. The set featured is $70.
Where: La Fiesta Bridal, 1001 Broadway, Rockford; 815–489-0645
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Food/drink nearby: El Pueblo Restaurant, Las Canelitas Bakery, Lao Kitchen, Tortacos Soto, Da Catch Fish Chicken and Grill
Other area shops with some children’s clothing: Every Little Thing Resale Shop, Pecatonica; Porch, Rockford; S’mores Collectibles & Vintage, Rockford
23) Check out clothing and accessories for rock bands from the 1960s to the present at Rock America on the upper level of the CherryVale Mall, one of three locations in a regional mom-and-pop chain. The store stocks bib sets and sippy cups for Pink Floyd, the Beatles and Elvis, too.
How much: Two-bib set, $15; double-insulated, dishwasher-safe 10-ounce sippy cup with soft spout, $10
Where: Rock America, CherryVale Mall, upper level; 7200 Harrison Ave., Cherry Valley; 815–332-6742
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: RBK Bakery, also on the mall’s upper level; Jammin Jerk and Fresca Mexican Grill, in the food court; El Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill, across the parking lot.
24) Check out display after display of toys, books and clothes for babies at Porch, a home and garden décor shop which also has jewelry, women’s clothing and a wide assortment of gifts. Look for Porch in the center of a strip mall.
How much: Five-piece interactive plush set, $38, includes a laptop, a cellphone that can ring, a dollar bill that rattles and makes crinkly sounds, and a coffee mug. E-gift cards starting at $10 are available HERE.
Where: Porch, 3065 N. Perryville Road, Rockford; 815–282-8881
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Mary’s Market Café and Bakery, Franchesco’s, Salt, JMK Nippon, RBI Brunch Bar and Dinner, GreenFire
25) Check out block sets in different languages at Taylor + Max children’s boutique in downtown Rockton. Made in Michigan, the basswood blocks comes in more than 20 languages, including Spanish, Swedish, English, Chinese, Hebrew and Japanese.
How much: Each wooden block set, $48. Plush ornaments shown, $26 and $30; others in the collection, $12.50 to $60. Tulle dress, sizes 2/3 to 10/11, $185.
Where: Taylor + Max, 100 W. Main St., Rockton; 815–957–0290
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee, Fibs, Rookie’s Pub and Grill, Ray’s Family Restaurant, Sam’s Pizza, Rockton Inn, The Mix, Dairyhäus
26) Check out the wall of children’s toys and games at Harper G Mercantile, a shop that opened in Durand in July. This opening fills a void for an independent store in the Rockford region that stocks such a selection of new items. The location on Durand’s town square is the second for this company; the other is in the McHenry County village of Richmond.
How much: Most of toys sets and games are $20 and more. Fidgets are less than $10.
Where: Harper G Mercantile, 406 N. Center St., Durand; 815–248-5001
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Hogs and Hydrants, Cimino’s Pizza, Ref’s Bar and Grill, The Fire Barn, Ringo’s
Gifts for pets and their parents
27) Check out clothes, toys, treats and gear for pups of all sizes at Bark on Mulford, a shop in southeast Rockford that caters to end users so much it even offers every-other-month mystery boxes of exclusives to sniff. Some toys come with a destruction rating. Fittings for coats and sweaters are no problem, even for the bounciest dogs. (A nook in the back has toys, teasers and treats for cats, too.)
How much: Fleece-lined, wind- and rain-repellent jacket with a reflective patch and piping, $44. Seasonal mystery boxes are by order, not subscription. They come in two sizes, $29 and $39; order one HERE.
Where: Bark on Mulford, 2002 S. Mulford Road, Rockford; 815–558-2275
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby for humans: Sweet Basil Café, El Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill, Bento & Bowl
Food/drink nearby for dogs: The Canine Crunchery, Rockford’s only bakery that makes treats just for dogs. Their biscuits and cookies are available in stores around the area, but the biggest sniff zone for all the yumminess is at 1888 Daimler Road in southeast Rockford, in the back of a strip center across the street from the CherryVale Mall. 815–520-4752; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Gifts that say Rockford
28) Check out a head-spinning amount of items that say Rockford at Rockford Art Deli, the custom-print T-shirt and apparel shop in the city’s downtown Rockford. Inspiration from the iconic sock monkey, which playfully celebrates Rockford’s industrial history, appears on everything from stickers to shirts and hoodies and, of course, socks. A sock monkey toy in a black shirt with “Rockford, ILLINOIS” in white letters has been a staple at RAD. This summer, a Barbie-themed version showed up too.
Where: Rockford Art Deli, 402 E. State St., Rockford; 312–725-4723
How much: $30 (not shown, a Barbie-themed water bottle that says Rockford, $20)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Inzombia Coffee, Carlyle Brewing Co., Woodfire Pizza, Wired Café, Magpie, Crust & Crumbles, Quixotic Bakery, Omakase, LimaMar, Sisters Thai Cafe, Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails, Abreo
29) Check out celebrations of Rockford that are both sophisticated and fun among the hundreds of fascinating objects from around the world at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, a downtown Rockford boutique in a two-story building where the second floor is an art gallery. In the shop on the first floor, a series of ornaments featuring paintings of Rockford landmarks—a collection added to every year—sits beside 3D-printed figures of the city’s protectors, the Rock Guardians, and Rockford journals, pens and keychains—even a teeny sock monkey pin. Near the counter in the back are bookends featuring Symbol, the iconic piece of public art which until Jan. 13 is also commemorated upstairs in the Kortman Gallery in an exhibition called Liberman Red.
Where: J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St., Rockford; 815-968-0123
How much: 3D-printed Rock Guardian figurines, $30 each; landmark ornaments, $20 each
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday–Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Octane, Tortilla Express, District Bar and Grill, TNT Funnel Cakes, Cantina Taco, Mo’s Coffee and Cafe
30) Check out four–packs of beer from Prairie Street Brewing Company at Choices Natural Market in Loves Park. Along with their signature IPA, you can find Prairie Street’s Peach Wheat in honor of the Rockford Peaches women’s baseball team, and Prairie Street’s Screw City premium American lager.
Where: Choices Natural Market, 6718 Broadcast Pkwy, Loves Park; 815–282-1861
How much: $11 for a four-pack
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Thrive Café, Maciano’s Pizza and Pastaria
31) Check out T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, glasses, mugs, keychains, patches, pillows, bags, posters and stickers with logos of local companies and stores no longer around but fondly remembered at Bygone Brand in the mall section of the Fairview Plaza shopping center. This is your nostalgic go-to for gear and accessories with names like these and so many more: Clock Tower Inn, Logli, Magic Waters, MetroCentre, Sundstrand, Rockford Cubbies.
Where: Bygone Brand, 3600 E. State St. #1c, Rockford
How much: $26 for T-shirts; check Bygone Brand’s website for other Rockford items
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and by appointment: call or text 815–314-0366
Food/drink nearby: Johnny Pamcakes, Chicken Hop, Hacienda San Jose, Uncle Nick’s, Chavez Mexican Restaurante, Lino’s, DiTullio’s Italian Café and Market
Other places to find things that say Rockford: Symbol and Peaches sweatshirts at Roxy Carmichael in partnership with Rockford Buzz, Rockford; old postcards at Quaint, Rockford; coasters of landmarks at Porch, Rockford; notepads and heart-shaped patches that say Rockford, plus pencils that say Someone in Rockford Loves You at Rooted, Rockford
Gifts for teachers
32) Check out tiny finds at Wolf Hollow Gift Shoppe, at the east end of the Fairview Plaza shopping center in Rockford. In this coven for goth curiosities, you can find original and useful desk accessories for teachers like bone-shaped pens and magnetic bookmarks with a Victorian flair.
How much: Set of four bookmarks, $5. Bone pens, $6 each. This store, which the owners call Wolfie, also offers digital gift cards. You can order one HERE.
Where: Wolf Hollow Gift Shoppe, 3800 E. State St., Rockford; 779–256-2972
Hours: 12 to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday
Food/drink nearby:Johnny Pamcakes, Chicken Hop, Hacienda San Jose, Uncle Nick’s, Chavez Mexican Restaurante, Lino’s, DiTullio’s Italian Café and Market
33) Check out a soothing remedy for chapped lips with an icky name, but no actual chicken poop, at Frosted Farmhousein Rockton.
How much: $3 each
Where: Frosted Farmhouse, 112 Hawick St., Rockton; 815-997-0156
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Food/drink nearby: The Mix, Rockton Inn, Fibs, Dairyhäus,DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee, Rookie’s Pub and Grill, Ray’s Family Restaurant, Sam’s Pizza
Gifts for the home cook
34) Check out measuring cups and spoons at Elora Home Interiors in downtown Rockford, so that you don’t break a sweat following recipes with metric measurements. These sets give you the conversions.
How much: Set of measuring cups, $32; set of measuring spoons, $28; fair-trade hand-woven towel from Ethiopia, $22; washed-linen towels from Lithuania, $16 each; wicker tray, $24
Where: Elora Home Interiors, 214 E. State St., Rockford
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Inzombia Coffee, Carlyle Brewing Co., Woodfire Pizza, Wired Café, Magpie, Crust & Crumbles, Quixotic Bakery, Omakase, LimaMar, Sisters Thai Cafe, Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails, Abreo
Other area shops with tools for home cooks: Porch, Rockford; Shine, Loves Park
Gifts for book lovers
35) As online retailers of books have mushroomed, some communities have lost all independent bookstores. Not so in the Rockford region. As of this month, we have six.
Check out the experience at each one.
Where: 1032 Crosby, Rockford
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Uncle Nick’s, Lydia’s Cafe
Where: 3925 E. State St., Rockford
Hours: 1:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Johnny Pamcakes, Chicken Hop, Hacienda San Jose, Mary’s Market Café and Bakery
Where: 106A W. Main St., Rockton
Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday–Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee, Fibs, Rookie’s Pub and Grill, Ray’s Family Restaurant, Sam’s Pizza, Rockton Inn, The Mix, Dairyhäus
Where: 502 Seventh St., Rockford
Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
Food/drink nearby: Katie’s Cup has its own café.
Where: 406 E. State St., Rockford; 779-970-5912
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday; 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Inzombia Coffee, Carlyle Brewing Co., Woodfire Pizza, Wired Café, Magpie, Crust & Crumbles, Quixotic Bakery, Omakase, LimaMar, Sisters Thai Cafe, Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails, Abreo
Where: 2106 Broadway, Rockford
Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: El Pueblo Restaurant, Las Canelitas Bakery, Lao Kitchen, Ernie’s Midtown Pub
Gifts for coffee lovers
36) Check out the coffee section at Siam Asian Market. In addition to a unique array of coffee from around the world, especially Thailand, this market stocks all varieties from the much-loved Café Du Monde in New Orleans: coffee and chicory (regular and decaffeinated) and French roast—something not often seen in supermarkets.
How much: $10 a can
Where: Siam Asian Market, 806 Broadway, Rockford; 815–965-0500
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily
Food/drink nearby: El Pueblo Restaurant, Las Canelitas Bakery, Lao Kitchen, Tortacos Soto, Da Catch Fish Chicken and Grill
Other options for coffee gifts: A gift card to any of the indie coffee shops in our region:
Where: 101 W Main St, Rockton
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Monday; 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: 502 Seventh St., Rockford; 815–986-0628
Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
Where: 306 E. State, Rockford
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Inside the Education Resource Center at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road; 815-921-1671
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday
Where: 1141 N. Alpine Road, Rockford; 815-316-8785
Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: 3885 N. Perryville Road, Rockford; 815-639-0909
Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: 151 Hawick, Rockton; 815–957-1080
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: 303 Mulberry St., Rockford
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Where: 416 S. Main St., Rockford
Hours:6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday
Where: 507 Main St, Pecatonica
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: 221 W. Locust St., Belvidere
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.Monday-Thursday ; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: 1292 S. Alpine Road, Rockford; 779-537-1749
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday
Coming to 10514 N. Main St., Roscoe in early 2024
Where: 414 E. State St., Rockford
Hours: 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: 125 E. State St., Suite E, Cherry Valley
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Gifts for vintage toy collectors
37) Check out an intense collection of 1970s, 1980s and 1990s action figures, games and memorabilia shoehorned into Beach Boys Toys, a nearly 2-year-old trove of vintage toys and collectibles in Rockford. Owner Jeramy Beach moved this spring from his original South Alpine location to an 800-square-foot spot on Broadway across from Toad Hall Books and Records which Toad Hall had used for storage.
How much: Prices start at $3. Beach also buys toys.
Where:Beach Boys Toys, 2019 Broadway, Rockford; 708–537-7557
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday; 12 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby:El Pueblo Restaurant, Las Canelitas Bakery, Lao Kitchen, Ernie’s Midtown Pub
Other area shops for vintage toys and collectibles:Aaron’s ’80’s Toys and Collectibles, Pecatonica, Clyde’s Comic and Fantasy Shop, Rockford;CT’s Hobbies, Belvidere, Matt’s Basement, Machesney Park; Phoenix Diecast, Loves Park; S’mores Collectibles & Vintage, Rockford; Top Cut Comics, Loves Park
Gifts to foster art and theater
38) To support two nonprofitsthat work to make cultural experiences accessible to all members of the community, consider giving a membership to West Side Show Room in Rockford’s North End or a gift card to 317 Art Collaborative in downtown Rockford.
Membershipsto West Side Show Room start at $100. You can order one HERE.
For 317 Art Collective, gift cards start at $20. The amount you give can be put toward original artwork, merchandise and events. You can order one HERE.
White elephant gifts
If you’re invited to a gift-exchange party and need ideas for things to surprise people, we’ve got six ideas from $10 to $40.
39) Check out life-size hand-shaped candles at Wolf Hollow Gift Shoppe in Rockford. There’s a wick on the thumb and each finger. The shop owners say they burn red, to look as though they’re bleeding.
How much: $30 each. This store offers digital gift cards. You can order one HERE.
Where: Wolf Hollow Gift Shoppe, 3800 E. State St., Rockford; 779–256-2972
Hours: 12 to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Johnny Pamcakes, Chicken Hop, Hacienda San Jose, Uncle Nick’s, Chavez Mexican Restaurante, Lino’s, DiTullio’s Italian Café and Market
40) Check out a coloring book with 20 scenes of Rose family adventures. This book is in the center of a section with amusements for grownups at Harper G Mercantile in Durand.
How much: $10
Where: Harper G Mercantile, 406 N. Center St., Durand; 815–248-5001
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Hogs and Hydrants, Cimino’s Pizza, Ref’s Bar and Grill, The Fire Barn, Ringo’s
41) Check out where the music is coming from at Harper G Mercantile in Durand’s town square. You’ll find it’s blasting froma Bluetooth speaker with a retro radio vibe.
How much: $30-$35 each, depending on the color or pattern
Where: Harper G Mercantile, 406 N. Center St., Durand; 815–248-5001
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Hogs and Hydrants, Cimino’s Pizza, Ref’s Bar and Grill, The Fire Barn, Ringo’s
42) Check out a gummy candy-making kit that features molds for a mini version of the cheery PBS painter Bob Ross’s face, two of his tools, and one of his favorite subjects (a squirrel). Find this on the lower level of CherryVale Mall at Corner Store Factory, the only location of a locally owned popcorn, bubble tea and candy store.
How much: $13
Where: Corner Store Factory, CherryVale Mall, lower level, 7200 Harrison Ave., Cherry Valley; 815–298-1413
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: RBK Bakery, on the mall’s upper level; Jammin Jerk and Fresca Mexican Grill, in the food court; El Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill, across the parking lot.
43) Check out you must 17- by 29-inch jute doormats with an anti-skid backing that feature superheroes, Harry Potter emblems and the Jedi master himself at CT’s Hobbies in downtown Belvidere.
How much: $40
Where: CT’s Hobbies, 505 S. State St., Belvidere; 815–323-0098
Hours: 12 to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday; 12 to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday
Food/drink nearby: La Costa Bora, Taqueria El Molcajete, Steam Plant Family Restaurant, Sips and Sprinkles, RBK Bakery, EK Cakery
44) Check out slippers with pop culture designs in the CherryVale Mall at Rock America, the Rockford area location of a three-store regional mom-and-pop business.
How much: Chucky slippers, $30; Cheetos slippers (not shown), $25
Where: Rock America, CherryVale Mall, upper level; 7200 Harrison Ave., Cherry Valley; 815–332-6742
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: RBK Bakery, also on the mall’s upper level; Jammin Jerk and Fresca Mexican Grill, in the food court; El Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill, across the parking lot.
Stocking stuffers
45) Check out customizable shirts, mugs, caps, keychains and other accessories at low prices and without minimums at BAX T’s & Gifts, a spirit shop from Winnebago that’s moved to Pecatonica. The store officially opened at its new location on Tuesday.
How much: The bracelets shown are $15 each with no customization on the fob. With one side of the fob customized with an image or letters, $18. With both sides customized, $20.
Where: BAX T’s & Gifts, 219 Main St., Pecatonica
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; by appointment, evenings and Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Bootie’s Main Tap, Cimino’s Pizza, Rosie’s Coffee, Stone Wall Café, The 3rd Street Station
46) Check out the barbecue-y crunch of baked and seasoned rolled chips of squid, a spicy snack from Thailand. Look for Mr. Squid in a familiar-size can of on the top shelf at the left of the first middle aisle at Siam Asian Market in Rockford. This amazingly well-stocked market, which carries other Mr. Squid products too, is just three blocks west of Crusader Community Health on Broadway.
How much: $7.19 a can
Where: Siam Asian Market, 806 Broadway, Rockford; 815–965-0500
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily
Food/drink nearby: El Pueblo Restaurant, Las Canelitas Bakery, Lao Kitchen, Tortacos Soto, Da Catch Fish Chicken and Grill
47) Check out small squares of hand-dyed wool and tiny rolls of patterned woven wool just past the bolts of cottage florals and ginghams at Lucky Quilt Company in Pecatonica. Think of these high-quality specialty fabric finds for anyone who relaxes with fiber art projects or loves having a stash of interesting extras to applique onto upcycled clothes.
How much: 4- by 16-inch rolls, $5.45 each; 3-inch squares, $5 for seven; 5-inch squares for five, $11; 4-inch squares, $13 for nine
Where: Lucky Quilt Company, 516 Main St., Pecatonica; 815-239-1026
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Bootie’s Main Tap, Cimino’s Pizza, Rosie’s Coffee, Stone Wall Café, The 3rd Street Station
48) Check out a tea infuser with a securely tight clasp in the kitchen area at the back of Elora Home Interiors in downtown Rockford. While you’re there, treat yourself to a mini candy bar from an artisan chocolate company in Wisconsin.
How much: Tea infuser, $12; mini artisanal chocolate candy bar, $5
Where: Elora Home Interiors, 214 E. State St., Rockford
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday
Food/drink nearby: Inzombia Coffee, Carlyle Brewing Co., Woodfire Pizza, Wired Café, Magpie, Crust & Crumbles, Quixotic Bakery, Omakase, LimaMar, Sisters Thai Cafe, Social Charcuterie Bar & Cocktails, Abreo
49) Check out alternatives to traditional shampoo and conditioner at Earth Zero Waste, where the eco-friendly shop stocks concentrated forms of each in bars packaged in biodegradable paper. The shampoo bar is said to typically last four months for a person with medium-thick long hair, and nearly a year for a person with short hair.
How much: $14
Where: Earth Zero Waste, 327 W. Jefferson St., Rockford
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Food/drink nearby: Mo’s Coffee and Cafe, Octane, Cantina Taco, District Bar and Grill, Tortilla Express, TNT Funnel Cakes
Gifts of experiences
50) If you’d rather give someone the chance to do something:
Gretta’s Goats at Short Leg Farm in Pecatonica offers gift vouchers for hikes with their goats. To get one, send $19 via the Venmo app to @grettasgoats and the voucher will be emailed to you. The
2024 schedule for goat hikes, goat-cuddling opportunities, and soap-making classes will be posted to Gretta’s events page mid-December. There still may be a spot left for the last goat hike of 2023. Check HERE.
JuJu Rey’s Art Clubhouse, a 4-month-old open art studio and gaming center in downtown Rockford, offers gift vouchers starting at $30 for a painting and video gaming session. 324 E. State St., Rockford; 815–348-5564. To get one, visit the studio during the following hours or pay owner Judith Goudy at 815-914-9484 via Zelle. 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday; 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
815 Escape Rooms, an entertainment venue in Rockford where you solve puzzles to get out of a themed setting, offers gift vouchers. $35 a person. For details, call 815–209-7444 or pick up one or more vouchers during the following hours at 4249 E. State St., Rockford. 1 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; 3 to 9:30 p.m. Friday; 1 to 7:30 p.m.
Three Ravens Pottery in Rockford’s Midtown offers themed classes from $100 to $140. You can book a class directly HERE or buy a gift card HERE for $25 or more that someone could put toward a class. 1009 5th Avenue, Rockford; 312–343-3336
Kufrin Ceramics, in one of the lofts above The Norwegian restaurant in the North End, offers a four-week workshop for $160. You can get a voucher for it HERE. 1404 N. Main St., Rockford
Tarot by Michelle, across the street from Culture Shock in Rockford, offers $25, $50 and $100 readings. 2314 Charles St., Rockford; 815-505-7916. Stop by during the following hours to pick one up: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Tuesday
Float therapy, at Forest City Float, offers a one-hour float session for $70, or you can spend 20 minutes in an infrared sauna for $30. 223 E. State St., suite 202, Rockford; 815-708-8055 or email tami@forestcityfloat.com.
Laser tag, at Sector 815 in Rockford, single sessions starting at $20 and party packages starting at $300 are available. 293 Executive Parkway; 815-580-3095.
Salt+Sol Salt Therapy in Rockford offers sessions in one of their salt rooms for $1 a minute, starting with 15 minutes and going in 15-minute increments to an hour. Call 815-290-0173 to arrange a digital purchase or visit during the following hours. 419 N. Mulford, Rockford. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
NickelWorld, the arcade center in the North End, offers gift certificates starting at $20. Stop by 3321 N. Main St., Rockford, to pick one up during the following hours: 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday; 12 to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday.
The 815 Holiday Gift Guide is a project put together by freelance correspondent Helen Karakoudas. Email feedback to news@rockrivercurrent.com.
