Wonderland Sweets is moving in at Velvet Robot Coffee Lab in south Rockford

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Starting next week you can get a gourmet sweet treat with your cup of Joe at Velvet Robot Coffee Lab.

Wonderland Sweets, which was located inside Rooted for the past three years, is moving into Velvet Robot at 1292 S. Alpine Road starting Tuesday. It said that would be its home through October.

“We are grateful and thankful for like-minded local small business owners that believe in building one another up,” Wonderland Sweets wrote on social media. “So beginning next week, stop in and support both of us. This summer is going to be a blast and we can’t wait to share it with you.”

Related: Rooted picked this new venture to expand its North End business in Rockford

Wonderland Sweets started as a home bakery in 2017 after owner Ashley Villarreal spent years working in the food service industry. It specializes in making elegantly designed custom gourmet cakes, pastries, chocolates and other desserts, as well as specialty drinks.

Wonderland Sweets announced on April 29 that it would be leaving Rooted on May 31, but it hadn’t announced its new location until Monday. Attempts to reach Villarreal for this story were not successful.

“I am so grateful, thankful and humbled not just by all of the support we’ve received (at Rooted), but all that I’ve learned, grown into and have overcome,” Wonderland Sweets wrote in an announcement on social media in April.

Rooted announced on Saturday that it was adding a new concept to its business at 1408 N. Main St. after Wonderland’s departure. The new venture is called Picked by Rooted and it focuses on curated flower bouquets.

More business: Chase Bank to build new branch at former restaurant site in Rockford

Velvet Robot Coffee Lab has operated at 1292 S. Alpine Road, where it is welcoming Wonderland, since August 2021. It opened a new location at 10514 Main St. in Roscoe on May 1. That came after it closed its downtown Rockford shop on Dec. 16.

Wonderland Sweets | Hours and info

Where: Inside Velvet Robot Coffee Lab, 1292 S. Alpine Road, Rockford

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday

On the web: wonderlandsweetsbakery.com

On social: Facebook: HERE; On Instagram: @wonderlandsweets___

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