The Mercato by Lino’s in Loves Park will launch with 15 small business vendors
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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LOVES PARK — Lino’s is prepared to officially launch its new indoor marketplace this summer with 15 local makers, artists and other small businesses.
The Mercato by Lino’s, which is inside 8400 E. Riverside Blvd. near Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, brings complementary small businesses under one roof with their shops set up inside shipping containers. The northeast end of the building also includes Lino’s sit-down restaurant, which opened in March and features a rustic old-world look that matches the feel of the Mercato.
The Mercato by Lino’s hosted pop-up shopping events late last year as it built toward its full opening. It will kick off its next chapter with a Mother’s Day Market from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 11. Then, the full vendor launch is slated for June, featuring a rotating mix of home decor, artisan goods, vintage merchandise and more.
The Mother’s Day Market will offer a preview of the full launch with several vendors that will become a permanent part of the Mercato. There is also a drive-thru Meg’s Daily Grind built out of a shipping container at the west end of the building.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Mercato to life this summer,” Charlie Schweinler, third-generation owner at Lino’s, said in a news release. “The Mother’s Day Market is a fun, family-friendly way to introduce the community to what’s coming — and to give moms a day they’ll love.”
Vendors are:
- Rockford Art Deli
- Smiley’s Vintage Supply Co.
- Rooted
- Craft + Foster
- Joie
- Meg’s Daily Grind
- Gelato Joe’s
- Dolce Desserts
- Village Wines
- Bark on Mulford
- Winnie Nutter
- Urban Farmgirl (Future vendor, not at the May 11 event)
- 360 Grace Woodworks
- Vintage Routes
- Mainfraim
Lino’s encourages reservations for those planning a sit-down meal at the restaurant on Riverside on Mother’s Day. The Summer Shed, a machine shed converted into a casual space to enjoy your carryout orders, will also be open along with lawn games and activities.
Lino’s, which opened a drive-up and carryout restaurant in a red shipping container in November 2022, has been working on its indoor box market concept for more than a year. The goal is to provide small businesses with a chance to operate storefronts without large overhead costs and share in the foot traffic each other generate.
The family had purchased the 19,500-square-foot building in 2021 with the goal to open its second sit-down restaurant. But when construction and material costs skyrocketed, Schweinler reenvisioned the concept to try to keep renovation costs low while bringing a unique restaurant and shopping concept to the area.
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
