10 stories to know from January 2024: Rockford business shakeups, migrant flights and more

February 1, 2024|By Kevin Haas|In Local, Rockford, Trending
Top stories January 2024
Some of the most-read stories in January 2024 were about, clockwise from top left, Sheila’s Daiquiri Bar, 27 Aluna, Wired Cafe and Hard Rock Casino’s first bride and groom. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The story that drew the most readership last month was about 355 migrants who were unexpectedly flown to the Rockford airport en route to Chicago’s migrant landing zone.

That was followed by the pending closure of Stone Eagle Tavern and several other business stories, including Wired Cafe’s ownership change, a new daiquiri bar coming to downtown and a western wear retailer filling a vacant building on East State Street.

More review: Capri’s big move, new businesses and more: Our most-read stories from 2023

We started the practice last year of sharing our most-read stories each month so you can catch up on anything you may have missed.

Here are the most-read stories at RockRiverCurrent.com from January 2024:

355 migrants arrive at Rockford airport

A plane carrying 355 migrants from Texas landed in the early morning hours of New Year’s Eve at the Chicago Rockford International Airport before the passengers were boarded onto buses and escorted by sheriff’s deputies to the McHenry County line.

Full story here.

Stone Eagle Tavern to close

Stone Eagle Tavern, 6445 E. State St., plans to close Feb. 3, 2024, after 15 years in business. The building is being sold and the restaurant’s lease has not been renewed. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Stone Eagle Tavern, 6445 E. State St., is in its final week in business after 15 years of operation. The property is being sold for a fast-service restaurant chain to move in later this year.

The last day of operation is Saturday.

Full story here.

New western wear retailer moving into former JoAnn Fabrics

Boot Barn in Rockford
Western wear retailer Boot Barn is remodeling the former JoAnn Fabrics, 6280 E. State St., suite No. 2, in Rockford. The storefront is shown on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

One of the largest boot and western wear retailers in the country is preparing to move into the former JoAnn Fabrics space along East State Street.

Boot Barn is remodeling 6280 E. State St., suite No. 2, next to Old Chicago with a goal to open in March.

Full story here.

Daiquiri Bar coming to former Kryptonite in Rockford

Sheila and Derek Black are the owners of Sheila’s Daiquiri Lounge, 308 W. State St. in downtown Rockford. The couple hopes to open by March. They’re pictured Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Sheila’s Daiquiri Lounge, a cocktail bar first for the Rockford region, is coming to 308 W. State St. in downtown Rockford.

Sheila and Derek Black hope to start serving colorful alcoholic slushies and other drinks by March.

Full story here.

Octane switches to 27 Aluna with focus on Filipino cuisine

Cornislog at 27 Aluna at Octane, 124 N. Main St., in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Chef Patrick Alberto has brought a new concept to Octane, which is now called 27 Aluna and focuses on Filipino cuisine with a daily brunch menu.

The switch happened on Jan. 10.

Full story here.

New owners take over Wired Cafe in downtown Rockford

Wired Cafe new owners
Partners in Eight Fifteen Capital, from left, Matthew Simpson, Terrance Hall, Clydale Hilson, Jaron Hite and Joshua Patterson pose for a photo Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, with Wired Cafe owner Crystal Douglas, center, and her daughters Maggie Douglas, left, and Shanna Douglas Hill after closing on the purchase of the downtown Rockford coffee shop. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Crystal Douglas, who has run Wired Cafe for 13 years with her daughters Maggie and Shanna, sold the business to Eight Fifteen Capital, a local real estate investment firm taking on its first business in the service industry.

Eight Fifteen Capital is run by Matthew Simpson, Terrance Hall, Clydale Hilson, Jaron Hite and Joshua Patterson.

A going away celebration for the Douglas family will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday at Wired, 414 E. State St., Rockford.

Full story here.
Related: You Name It: Rockford-area restaurants honor regular customers by putting them on the menu

Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant has been a favorite for 40 years

Frank Lattuca, son of Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant founders Margaret and Carlo Lattuca, runs the day-to-day operations of the business. He’s pictured on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at the restaurant on Halsted Road in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant, 950 Halsted Road, has operated out of an assuming building for more than 40 years, becoming a neighborhood favorite for many.

Full story here.

Cheezy’s Grilled Cheese grows from food truck to sit-down space

Cheezy's Grilled Cheese owners
Josh Wilson and Dustin DiBenedetto are the owners of Cheezy’s Grilled Cheese, a food truck that now has a home inside BJ’s Place, 2842 11th St., in Rockford. They’re shown on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Cheezy’s Grilled Cheese, which started as a food truck last summer, has found a year-round home inside BJ’s Place, 2842 11th St. on Rockford’s south side.

The sit-down space is one part of the owners growth plans.

Full story here.

Hard Rock gives glimpse inside new casino

Hard Rock Casino gave a glimpse inside its future Hard Rock Live entertainment venue last month as the first bride and groom who will use the space got a tour.

Gina Maggio and Thomas Ballweg are set to be wed at Hard Rock Live on Sept. 21. The casino is set to celebrate its grand opening around Labor Day.

Full story here.

Sculpture showcasing Rockford’s founders to return to public eye

Gene Horvath’s sculpture “Pulling Together” sculpture depicts three of Rockford’s founders, Germanicus Kent, Lewis Lemon and Thatcher Blake. The statue was created in 1976 to commemorate the bicentennial and put into storage after it was removed as part of a South Main Street construction project roughly eight years ago. (Photo provided by Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau)

A statue depicting the city’s founders working their way to what would become Rockford is expected to return to the public eye after more than eight years in storage.

It’s called “Pulling Together,” and it shows Germanicus Kent, Lewis Lemon and Thatcher Blake dragging a supply wagon through a swamp on their way here in 1834. The sculpture was made by Gene Horvath in 1976.

Full story here.

Compiled by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas