The Sandwich Spot is returning to downtown Rockford, filling the former Subway
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A locally owned cafe specializing in sandwiches, soups and a salad bar is preparing to open in the former Subway restaurant and TNT Funnel Cakes space in downtown.
Owner Linda Derrickson is returning to the restaurant business with The Sandwich Spot at 201 W. State St., which is at the corner of State and Wyman. The goal is to open in February.
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Derrickson opened The Sandwich Spot in 2008 on the ground-floor of the William Brown building at 226 S. Main St. before moving to the former Millennium Center, 220 S. Madison St., in November 2009 and operating as The Spot Cafe. The Spot Cafe ran for seven years before moving to Seventh Street in Midtown for about a year.
“I’m excited to see all the old customers back,” Derrickson said. “I’m excited to serve the people downtown, that’s for sure.”
The Sandwich Spot will offer build-your-own sandwiches, a variety of club sandwiches, chips, cookies and soup by the bowl or cup. She also plans boxed lunches and a salad bar.
“I think the salad bar is going to be a big hit because people can come in and get something fresh,” Derrickson said. “They can make it on their own and don’t have to stand in line and wait for someone else to make it.”
There will be dine-in and carryout available, and Derrickson said she hopes to offer catering as well.
Subway restaurant operated from the space for years before closing in May 2022. TNT Funnel Cakes, a popular tent at Rockford City Market, then opened in the space in November 2022. It operated until closing Aug. 17 as the owners moved to North Carolina.
Derrickson said she saw the space was available while driving through downtown and quickly called building owners Kyle and Marge Bevers.
“It was meant to be,” Derrickson said. “I’m just really excited to get back out there.”
About | The Sandwich Spot
Grand opening: To be determined, target opening is February
Location: 201 W. State St., Rockford
Planned hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
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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
