‘You’re closing the street for your dog? — yeah’: Rockford block party celebrates RAD’s Pepper

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rockford Art Deli is known, first and foremost, for its bevy of 815 gear that lets you show off your city pride.

But just as popular for some is the shop dog that roams between the T-shirts and hoodies on a daily basis at the downtown retailer, 402 E. State St.

“A lot of people either just come in to see Pepper, or it’s the bonus for coming in to buy a T-shirt,” said Jarrod Hennis, owner of Rockford Art Deli, also known as RAD. “Anywhere I go people know Pepper. They don’t know my name, they know Pepper’s name. … I’ll go to different states and people will say, ‘Is that Pepper?'”

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On Saturday, RAD will celebrate the 10th birthday of its celebrated shop pup with a downtown block party.

RAD will close the portion of First Street in front of its shop and fill the space with vendors Cheezy’s Grilled Cheese, Cake One Five and Dairyhaus ice cream. There will also be music from DJ Vic Monsta and a few doors down Inzombia Coffee, 306 E. State St., is offering a Pepper-inspired special drink: Pepper’s Happy Meal.

“Most people are like, ‘you’re closing the street for your dog?’ I’m like, ‘yeah,'” Hennis said. “We’re closing the street to have a 10-year birthday party for our shop dog.”

If you bring a gift for Pepper it will be donated to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, 111 N. First St., and Maze Books, 406 E. State St., is donating 10% of its sales Saturday to Noah’s Ark in honor of Pepper’s party.

The party also coincides with RAD’s free print day. Bring in a blank T-shirt and the shop will print a rendition of Pepper as a character from “Bluey,” a popular animated kids show. You can also buy a blank tee for the print for $10.

Pepper, an Australian cattle dog and Jack Russell terrier mix, will of course be there too to greet her adoring fans.

“People love to see her. She’s good with kids and customers,” Hennis said. “I’ve had her for 9 years and she’s been coming here every day for 9 years with me.

“She’s built a little cult following. Some people say she might be more popular than the mayor.”

If you go | RAD Pepper Party

What: Celebrate Pepper’s 10th birthday with food trucks, music and other treats outside of Rockford Art Deli. The event coincides with Free Print Day, when you can get a Bluey-inspired print of Pepper on a T-shirt you bring in or buy a shirt for $10.

Where: Rockford Art Deli, 402 E. State St.

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18; Free print day goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Info: Go HERE

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