Right in Our Region ................Cover

Rockford City Market: Open All Year Long

By Janine Pumilia

If you find yourself missing the sense of community experienced at outdoor Rockford City Market, there’s an easy solution: Indoor Rockford City Market.

Less visible, but with a cozy vibe of its own inside 116 N. Madison St., it offers tasty fare five or more days each week in its food hall, plus events like themed pop-up markets, live music, trivia contests and yoga classes, all winter long.

“We’re super excited to keep building on the success of the indoor market,” says Becca Bartels, Director of Market Engagement at Rockford City Market. “It’s a friendly atmosphere where people enjoy gathering while supporting small businesses that are getting up and running.”

Rockford City Market grew out of Rock River Development Partnership in 2010. Its goal was to provide startups with a low-overhead way to test out their products and gain a following. Its popularity exceeded expectations immediately and, by 2019, attendance at the Friday night outdoor market hit 111,000. Even with a pandemic raging, 90,000 people turned out in 2021. Many small business success stories have emerged.

“Woodfire Pizza and Canine Crunchery are just two examples of businesses that got their start at Rockford City Market and grew into their own storefront locations,” says Bartels.

Bolstered by public enthusiasm, Rockford City Market opened its indoor location in 2019, purchasing and restoring a historic building adjacent to the outdoor market location. A century ago, the 116 N. Madison St. building was home to one of the first Harley-Davidson dealerships in the country.

The location offers a commercial kitchen that entrepreneurs can rent out. In 2021, 55 small businesses, including food truck owners, made good use of it.

There are plenty of common areas inside the market to gather with friends and enjoy food and beverages sold by the four long-term tenants.

Crust & Crumbles is an artisan bakery specializing in croissants, danishes, cruffins and fermented breads. It also sells gourmet brunch and lunch fare and, occasionally, pizza. Fans have learned to buy the wildly popular baked goods early in the day, before they sell out.

The Quixotic Bakery grew out of Grace Lutheran Church with a goal of providing opportunity to young people. It sells treats that indulge the tastebuds, like ice cream, brownies, cookies and sweet rolls.

Velvet Robot Coffee Lab roasts its own beans and cold brews gourmet coffee. It recently opened a second location (VR2) at Forest City Church on Alpine Road.

Guzel Restaurant serves authentic Mediterranean-style foods like falafel, shawarma, baba ganoush, chicken kebobs, salads and desserts like baclava.

Rockford City Market also rents out spaces for weddings, meetings and other private events. The 3,300-squarefoot Bowtruss Room has exposed brick and wooden beams. Market Hall is even larger, with industrial cement floors and original limestone walls. Garage-style doors lead outside, ideal for a summer party or for watching snow fall.

“It’s a gorgeous space with exposed brick and 1920s woodwork, and our pricing is very competitive,” says Bartels. “We work with 10 local catering businesses, so there are plenty of options for dining.”

Ten weddings took place at Rockford City Market this year and Bartels expects that number to grow fast.

Themed indoor pop-up markets happen a few times each month, usually on the first Friday and on a Saturday. Themes relate to the season, such as the 40-vendor Holiday Market held last month in coordination with Stroll on State.

Also popular are Rockford Vintage Markets, which began in 2015. These one-day-only markets feature good quality vintage, antique and repurposed items, like home and garden goods and furniture, clothing, jewelry, artwork and children’s items. Admission is free and there’s often food for sale and entertainment.

“Unlike the outdoor market, where vendors commit to showing up every week, the indoor pop-up markets give vendors a one-time chance to see if there’s any interest in their products,” explains Bartels.

Looking ahead, Rockford City Market will continue to build its partnerships with private and public organizations in 2022, says Bartels. Last year it forged a plan with Rockford Park District to offer more children’s activities at the outdoor market. It also partnered with EightFifteenCapital, a group that promotes minority-owned small businesses, and with Artale Wine Co., which hosted a 2nd Annual Whiskey & Wine tasting event.

The public’s enthusiastic embrace of Rockford City Market has revealed a hunger for the simple pleasure of being together and supporting one another’s endeavors. It’s a pleasure that doesn’t need to end when the weather turns cold. Learn more at rockfordcitymarket.com. ❚

Your Home & Garden

Cozy Carpet Still a Favorite in Bedrooms

By Jermaine Pigee

More people are using stylish hardwood and luxury vinyl tile in their living rooms these days, says Kevin Rose, owner of Carpetland USA, 326 N. Alpine Road, Rockford. But soft and cozy carpet isn’t leaving bedrooms any time soon.

“In the Midwest, we still have our frigid winters and the warmth and comfort of carpet as you step out of the bed in the morning is preferred,” Rose says. Carpet also keeps the bedroom quieter.

Plush pile and berber carpet styles are popular and are made from many kinds of fiber. People who are more cautious when they walk may prefer shortlooped berber for its firmness; others prefer the luxurious density of pile carpet.

For homes with kids and pets, Rose recommends flooring that withstands moisture, such as spill-resistant hardwood and laminate.

You don’t have to shy away from carpet if you have pets and kids, however. Many newer carpets have pet-proof backings that don’t allow urine to soak into padding and subfloors. Some carpet is made from non-absorbent yarn, so spills can be easily cleaned without leaving stains.

No matter what type of flooring you purchase, Rose recommends doing your homework first.

“A common mistake that people make is purchasing a product solely on price and assuming it has a level of quality that will sustain your living space,” Rose says. “You get what you pay for, as the old saying goes. Our staff will explain the pros and cons that suit your family and your home, not what suits everyone else walking through the front door.”

When shopping for flooring, describe your space to the salesperson helping you. What kind of traffic and moisture conditions will the flooring need to withstand? What styles appeal to you visually? What expectations do you have for the longevity of this flooring?

“Make sure your salesperson understands what you want and make sure they’re listening to your needs,” he says.

A trained salesperson who thoroughly understands the flooring industry can provide a great deal of assistance as you winnow down the options that satisfy your criteria. ❚