Geronimo Hospitality Group plans to transform a roughly 20,000-square-foot warehouse into Henry Dorrbaker’s entertainment venue. (Rendering provided by Geronimo Hospitality Group)

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app

BELOIT, Wis. — Geronimo Hospitality Group on Tuesday unveiled renderings of its vision to transform a vacant warehouse space on the Ironworks Campus into a new entertainment venue with duckpin bowling, miniature golf and other games.

The roughly 20,000-square-foot venue will be called Henry Dorrbaker’s after the owner of the city’s first bowling alley. It’s located in the vacant space where Spine Road meets the Rock River near the Stateline YMCA.

More news: Developers prepare for first step in restoring Times Theater in downtown Rockford

Work is expected to begin this spring with completion near the end of the year.

“Guests can expect a nostalgic yet contemporary experience that celebrates the spirit of community and camaraderie,” Jeff Whiteman, chief operating officer for Geronimo Hospitality Group, said in a news release. “The venue will bring a new and exciting dimension of entertainment to the heart of the city’s downtown.”

Renderings released on Tuesday show a bustling bar scene with duckpin bowling, mini-golf, pinball, skee ball and other vintage arcade games, bag toss, outdoor fire pits and other activities.

Duckpin bowling is similar to the sport you know but with smaller pins, a lighter ball with no finger holes and a shortened alley. You also get three rolls of the ball per frame instead of two because the duckpins are shorter and lighter, making strikes more difficult.

The city’s first bowling alley was opened in 1899 in conjunction with a buffet at 426-428 State St., according to the Greater Beloit USBC Bowling Association. Dorrbaker lived at the site. Geronimo Hospitality said the project was named after Dorrbaker and inspired by the history and culture of the Ironworks Campus.

Renderings | Henry Dorrbaker’s

Henry Dorrbaker’s in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin, will include duckpin bowling and other games. (Rendering provided by Geronimo Hospitality Group)

Henry Dorrbaker’s in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin, will include miniature golf. (Rendering provided by Geronimo Hospitality Group)

Henry Dorrbaker’s in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin, will include an outdoor patio with fire pits and yard games such as bag toss. (Rendering provided by Geronimo Hospitality Group)

Geronimo Hospitality Group expects to break ground in spring on Henry Dorrbaker’s in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin. The goal is to open by the end of 2024. (Rendering provided by Geronimo Hospitality Group)

Henry Dorrbaker’s in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin, will feature pinball, skee ball and other vintage games. (Rendering provided by Geronimo Hospitality Group)

A roughly 20,000-square-foot warehouse on the Ironworks Campus in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin, will be turned into Henry Dorrbaker’s entertainment venue. (Rendering provided by Geronimo Hospitality Group)

Henry Dorrbaker’s will include a bar in the 20,000-square-foot renovated space on the Ironworks Campus in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin. (Rendering provided by Geronimo Hospitality Group)

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