Rockford Community Bank to open State Street branch, Salamone’s to expand at existing space

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rockford Community Bank is renovating the former Illinois Decorator Center on East State Street for the future home of its next branch.

The space at 2219 E. State St. was previously owned by the family behind Salamone’s North, which was planning to open a restaurant at the site. However, the family shifted plans, sold the property and is now in the process of expanding its existing restaurant at 2583 N. Mulford Road by 1,500 square feet to accommodate a new dining room and kitchen.

“It was a better fit to stay where we are and expand at our current location,” said Brieanna Salamone, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Phillip. 

More news: A new bar and restaurant is set to fill a former bank in this small Winnebago County community

Rockford Community Bank plans to open the new branch by June. The site, which is roughly a mile east of downtown, will be the bank’s second branch in the city. Its first location opened in January 2022 at 1825 N. Perryville Road.

“We wanted to get something closer to downtown. There’s a lot of households and small businesses closer to that location that it’s a little more challenging to serve from here,” said Brent Scott, president of Rockford Community Bank. “The State Street location is kind of a hotbed of neighborhoods and businesses and we want to be closer to that.”

The future bank will have a 24-hour walk-up ATM but no drive-thru services. It’s located in a strip of businesses that includes DiTullio’s Italian Market and Cafe and Meta Beauty Collective.

A third location is under construction now and expected to open by late summer or early fall at the northeast corner of Perryville and West Lane roads in Machesney Park.

Wintrust, the parent company of Rockford Community Bank, prides itself on offering an old-fashioned personal touch combined with the technology necessary for the modern age. Ita Reilly, Rockford Community Bank’s market manager who oversees the branches here, said customers still want to be able to walk in without an appointment and have their questions answered by a banker.

“Rockford has a need for that personal service and the commitment to the customers and the commitment to the community,” Reilly said. “We feel like we can better serve the whole Rockford region having three locations spread out in different directions.”

Salamone’s North expanding

The Salamones had purchased the 5,100-square-foot space in January 2022 with plans to open a new restaurant and bar with outdoor seating.

City Council members approved those plans in fall 2022.

However, the Salamones ultimately decided to expand the current location instead. The authentic Italian restaurant has been in operation there since September 2017.

“We’re continuing to grow and we needed the extra space,” Brieanna Salamone said. “We’re busting at the seams there.”

According to records from the Winnebago County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, the future bank building was sold for $190,000 on July 27 to A3B Capital. Rockford Community Bank is leasing from them.

Salamone’s North will expand by about 1,500 feet into space east of the existing restaurant.

The goal is to open the renovated space by summer.

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