the
FINANCIAL FOCUS PAGE 11
APPLY NOW FOR RPS 205 SPECIAL PROGRAMS KINDERGARTEN LOTTERIES
Rockford
The economic impact of civic pride
By Andrew Wright, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Rockford Chamber of Commerce
Strolling down a sunny coastal beach wearing a Geri’s Hamburgers t-shirt, a Bygone Brand customer was approached by a stranger who pointed at the familiar red, white and blue sign on the shirt and said “Rockford?” Geri’s Hamburgers, a Rockford-based franchise that opened in 1962, closed their last location in Beloit in 1999. Keith and Amy Watson’s Rockfordbased company, Bygone Brand, started in 2013, trading on the nostalgia of fondly remembered logos and brands closely tied to Rockford. Keith, a graphic designer who was attracted to brands, and Amy, a teacher and history buff, combined their passions
to create a company that uses trademarks
“I’m out here at the checkout desk, and
to celebrate a sense of time and place,
people are excited when they come in.
starting with brands familiar to long-time
When people find a shirt that represents
Rockford residents.
a place they loved and connected with,
Geri’s Hamburgers, the Ing Skating
they want to tell us their stories—stories
Palace, Game Factory, the Pink Pony, The
of their first job, their first date, the first
Mayflower Restaurant—these all evoke
kiss out at the Belford Drive In,” Amy said
the nostalgic experiences specific to
as she gestured to a t-shirt with the old,
people who grew up in Rockford through the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. “Nostalgia starts in your 30s. Right now, the 90s are in vogue, and people have resources to think about recapturing
familiar logo. “That’s the most fun part of it, because it’s a vindication that this is the right thing for us to do. We love this stuff and when we hear other people tell their stories, we
their past,” Keith said. “This is just as
know they love it too,” Keith said.
much for local shoppers as it is for the
The value of hometown cheerleaders
Rockfordians who moved away and miss their hometown.” “We’re known as the people who have the brands,” Amy said. As Bygone Brand grew, they sought out this nostalgia across other cities, tapping into the hometown pride found in places like Madison, St. Louis, Peoria, the Twin Cities and more.
When coming to Rockford, potential residents often Google the city, and find Rockford on some dubious lists. “When we get new employees who move to Rockford, the first thing they all do is Google Rockford. We tell them that’s just the cover of the book and doesn’t tell (continued on page 8)
We mean (coffee) business By Andrew Wright, Director of Strategic Initiatives
THE VOICE IS PUBLISHED BY
The friendly barista takes your order, you select a hot beverage and a tasty pastry and settle into the comfy chair by the fireplace on a cold winter’s day. Around you, you can pick up on several conversations at the same time. A pair of old friends are catching up. A book club is waiting for their last member to arrive. A woman is talking about a recent date on her Bluetooth while she types up her latest report. Three men discuss their social media rollout for their latest sports club launch. The coffee shop is abuzz with activity on this Wednesday morning, and, as the business community embraces remote work more after the peak of the pandemic, coffee shops all over have become the new workplace for many professionals. The coffee shop as your office
Join the Chamber on Social Media
The Voice is online at rockfordchamber.com
PAGE 14
of the rockford business community
February 2023 | Volume 36 | No. 2
I
SUPPORTING CAREER PATHWAYS FOR WOMEN
Benjamin Chauvin, owner and founder of Rockford Roasting Company, explained that these spaces were designed with that in mind. “We create more open spaces, have an
open floor plan, look for tall ceilings and design our layout to inspire creativity. White walls with a feature color wall, with art curated to make the space what our guests need it to be in the moment.” Rockford Roasting Company has two downtown locations catering to the busy and the casual customer alike. There are some good reasons to select a local shop for a business meeting or to use as a workplace, but there are some best practices to follow as well. “You can set a tone for a client by bringing them into a space that you already know. There’s a sense of brand loyalty and social acceptance that comes when a barista greets you by name and has your favorite order memorized and ready to go,” Chauvin said. While many coffee shops are created as welcoming spaces for remote workers to get out of their homes, they’re able to offer these services because of a steady (continued on page 3)
Rockford Public Schools has six special program schools that are available to residents. Four of the programs are lottery based, and the application period is open now through March 10, 2023. ■ Two-way Language Immersion at Barbour builds fluency in Spanish and English. ■ STEAM Academy at Haskell focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. ■ International Baccalaureate Candidate program at Conklin develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people through a global perspective. ■ Montessori at Marsh (pre-K lottery) encourages independence and hands-on learning. Visit the RPS 205 Welcome Center at 501 7th Street to apply.
FREE EVERGREEN MULCH The City of Rockford and Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful have free mulch available from recycled Christmas trees. Evergreen mulch is slightly acidic, which makes it perfect for roses, azaleas, hydrangeas and pines. Bring your own equipment and containers to hand-load. No machine operated equipment permitted. City of Rockford residents ■ 523 S. Central, across from the Rockford City Yards. Available through summer. Check the “Mulch Cam” on the City of Rockford’s website. Northern Illinois residents (available through February) ■ Loves Park, Martin Park, 5600 Park Ridge Road (northeast parking lot) ■ Cherry Valley, Baumann Park, S. Walnut St. (daylight hours only) ■ Rockton, Rockton Boat Ramp, 830 E. Main St. (parking lot opposite ball field) ■ Roscoe, Valley View Farms, 6440 Belvidere Rd. ■ Village of Davis, Davis Village Hall, 104 E. McKimmy St. ■ Pecatonica, Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve, 4550 N. Pecatonica Rd. (near picnic area) ■ Harlem Township, Schoonmaker Park, 10500 Ventura Blvd.