By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Coming soon signs have been popping up around the city the last few weeks.

Here’s a quick roundup of some of the national chains and local establishments set to open for business in the Rockford region later this year. Our list includes two businesses making short moves to new locations in the city.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet  to open on East State Street

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is set to open Sept. 15, 2022, at 5830 E. State St. in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will open its first store in the Rockford region inside the former Old Time Pottery, which closed in summer 2020.

Ollie’s is the country’s largest retailer of closeout merchandise and excess inventory, according to its website. It gets overproduced merchandise directly from manufacturers and works with financial institutions when companies liquidate their inventory.

The Rockford location at 5830 E. State St. is set to open Sept. 15.

More new business: New food truck in Loves Park combines award-winning BBQ with THC

Five Guys set to change locations next month

Five Guys plans to move into its new location at East State Street and Mill Road in October 2022. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Five Guys is set to move this fall to a new location less than a mile away.

The fast-food burger chain is relocating from 611 Highgrove Place in the Perryville Crossings shopping plaza to space at the corner of East State Street and Mill Road. The company expects to take up its new residence in October.

It will be located next to another new restaurant coming soon, Mission BBQ, and the new three-bay Valvoline Instant Oil Change.

Previously: 2 restaurants, auto service business coming to East State Street in Rockford

New restaurant to open in former Mary’s Market in Edgebrook

Awaken Foundation L3c plans to fill the former Mary’s Market, located at 1649 N. Alpine Road inside the Edgebrook Shopping Center. It will operate a restaurant and apprenticeship program. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

A new restaurant that doubles as a culinary arts apprenticeship program will take over the former Mary’s Market inside the Edgebrook Shopping Center in November.

Awaken Foundation L3c will operate a cafe called Sonny’s Place, the Register Star first reported. Edgebrook officials confirmed to the Rock River Current the lease for the space at 1649 N. Alpine Road was signed last week.

Mary’s Market had initially temporarily closed the cafe earlier this year, but in June it opted to make that closure permanent.

Mary’s Market has two other locations in the area: 4431 E. State St. and 2636 McFarland Road.

More from Edgebrook: Evolve Dance Co. moves into new space in Edgebrook 

Tommy’s Express car wash moving behind Sonic Drive-In in Loves Park

A new Tommy’s Express car wash is under construction at 6803 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park. The construction site is shown here on Aug. 29, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

A national car wash franchise that offers unlimited washes for a monthly membership fee is building behind the Sonic Drive-In at the corner of Riverside Boulevard and Forest Hills Road in Loves Park.

Tommy’s Express plans to open before the end of the year at 6803 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park. It is the first location in the area for the chain.

More Loves Park biz: Natural light and Napoli’s Pizza: New Loves Park slot spot has a different feel

New fast-casual chicken shop to open in former All Day Donut

A new chicken shop is opening in the former All Day Donut, 3511 E. State St., Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

A new fast-casual restaurant specializing in chicken and fish is moving into the former All Day Donut on East State Street, across the road from Chuck E. Cheese.

The company obtained a building permit in late December to remodel the space, and signs “opening soon” have been displayed on the window for weeks. However, it’s unclear when opening day will arrive for Chicken Hop, 3511 E. State St., Rockford. It’s owners could not be reached for comment.

All Day Donut closed in 2020.

More from the Miracle Mile: Chuck E. Cheese gives East State Street site a makeover after 34 years

Subway changes locations, to fill the former Taco John’s

Subway is moving out of Alpine Plaza and into the former Taco John’s on South Alpine Road across the street. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Subway is moving out of Alpine Plaza and into the former Taco John’s on the other side of South Alpine Road.

The restaurant franchise is remodeling the shuttered taco shop at 3629 S. Alpine Road with a goal of opening later this month. The store at 3220 S. Alpine Road is now closed.

The new Subway location allows for the fast-food chain to have drive-thru service, something it has set a priority on for new locations.


This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.

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