Lino’s new box market to host debut event in Loves Park as it works toward full opening next year
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
LOVES PARK — Lino’s will host the debut events for its new indoor box market this month, although the pop-up shopping sessions are just a taste of what the space will ultimately become.
The 52-year-old family-owned restaurant is developing a new concept called The Mercato by Lino’s inside a 19,500-square-foot building at 8400 E. Riverside Blvd. The space will eventually be home to a new sit-down Lino’s restaurant and a multitude of small businesses that will operate mini-shops from shipping containers inside the building.
More business: New Oak & Embers Bistro fills former Cliffbreakers space in Rockford
The goal is to open The Mercato by Lino’s with its restaurant and small business tenants by the end of next summer, but for now the space will host private parties and special events including a trio of holiday markets this month.
The first, which Lino’s is hosting, is called Mercato Holiday Market and happens from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. It will feature handmade merchandise including jewelry, wallets, purses, as well as food, clothing and other holiday-themed goods from local sellers.
“I’m just excited to get everybody back together and see if we can make something special that our community can be proud of,” said Charlie Schweinler, part of the family that owns Lino’s.
In total, the first three events will have roughly 85 small businesses and craft sellers in the space.
“We’ll get a feeling for how everything flows and how everything works, what kind of things we need to tweak and to adjust before we get our final opening,” Schweinler said. “Let’s test the space out, let’s see what it’s all about while enjoying the holiday season and then get to finishing construction after the new year.”
Lino’s started working to create the new indoor market earlier this year after earning zoning approval from the city of Loves Park in late June.
The northeast end of the building will be Lino’s new sit-down restaurant and bar with mezzanine seating overlooking the shops. You’ll be able to order a glass of wine from the restaurant before you stroll through the shops.
Schweinler had initially hoped to open The Mercato before the end of the year, but the project faced delays as he and the city navigated the details of a development that hasn’t been done in this region.
“Nothing has ever been done like that so we’re kind of feeling our way through and working with him to get it going,” said Steve Thompson, director of community development for the city.
The space is meant to instill feelings of an old-world, rustic Italian piazza, Schweinler said. The shipping container concept was chosen to keep costs low amid high inflation and construction prices.
Lino’s first turned to shipping containers in November 2022, when it opened a drive-thru restaurant inside a 53-foot-long red shipping container on Riverside Boulevard.
The Mercato, which is next door to the carryout shipping container restaurant, expands on that concept with a goal to create a local shopping destination with local businesses that serve similar clientele.
Upcoming events
Mercato Holiday Market
What: The debut event for The Mercato by Lino’s will include a holiday wine tasting, fresh bread, live jazz and a variety of local businesses offering a selection of holiday-themed merchandise.
Where: The Mercato by Lino’s, 8400 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Pop-Up in the Parks | Candyland Christmas
What: The sixth event in the Pop-Up in the Parks series is a new holiday market called Candyland Christmas. The market will feature pizza, music by DJ Petey P, drinks, permanent jewelry, hair tins and other holiday shopping. There will also be visits from Santa Claus.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: The Mercato by Lino’s, 8400 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
Illinois Holiday Vintage Market
What: Guest Host Illinois Vintage Fest and Smiley’s Vintage present this market featuring a curated collection of vintage clothing from the 1980s and ’90s and other vintage goods from 25 vendors.
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Where: The Mercato by Lino’s, 8400 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
Info and more events: 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
