Archive for October, 2008
October 30th, 2008
I’d been holding out hope that downtown martini bar Zambuca, 514 E. State St., was closed on a temporary basis. Not so much. Owner Peter Andreakos said he’s shut down for good.
Andreakos blamed the economy in Rockford for the closing and also said he’s been busy with plans to open a new optometry office in Madison. At this point, he’s got no plans for the space — he’s not putting it up for sale or lease, either.
Andreakos recently added a patio to the bar and was in a constant process of bringing new items to the menu.
October 30th, 2008
The area’s latest Panda Express store, 1640 W. Lane Road, Machesney Park, is under construction and planned to be open Dec. 22, said company spokeswoman Peggy Hart.
It will be the fourth area location for the Chinese food eatery. It currently has a store at 7046 Walton St. in Rockford, an express store in the food court at CherryVale Mall, and a kiosk at the Belvidere Oasis over the Jane Addams tollway.
October 30th, 2008
Rockford Billiard Cafe, 1436 N. Auburn St., is expanding it operation. According to an application for a liquor license that was approved Oct. 21 by the city’s Liquor Advisory Board, is expanding into a vacant storefront next door. The space was part of the business until 2003, when it was sold separately to another party.
The facility will include a bar with live entertainment, a total of 18 pool tables and space for a one- to three-piece band.
October 29th, 2008
Millennium Raceway, which offers a radio remote-controlled race car track, sells customized race cars and racing car accessories, is open at CherryVale Mall. It’s located between the JC Penney and the Starbucks outside entrance on the upper level.
They’re also showing televised NASCAR and Indy races on a big-screen TV, racing games on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation and are available for birthdays or corporate events.
For more details, go to their Web site or call 815-332-3444.
October 29th, 2008
Your Solelution, a spa aimed at men, is open at 323 N. Church St. They offer haircuts, manicures and pedicures, along with a lunch delivery service and off-site professional automobile detailing service offering car pick up and delivery.
Their hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and Saturdays by appointment. For more information, call 7815-969-SOLE (7653) or go to their Web site.
October 17th, 2008
Beleaguered retailer Linens-N-Things has started to liquidate its stores as part of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Anyone driving near East State Street and Perryville Road this week likely saw the ubiquitous placards at the intersection advertising store-wide savings of 10 to 30 percent off at the 249 Deane Drive location. Expect those sales to get even deeper as time goes on.
The company had filed for bankruptcy protection in May and has already closed more than 100 stores. It had been under pressure from its creditors to rush closing its remaining 371 stores, according to court documents.
October 17th, 2008
Cannoli Cafe, 1620 N. Bell School Road, closed Oct. 5.The eatery opened in November 2005 in Bell School Plaza and offered pastries, sandwiches, coffees and teas.
The shopping center’s owner, Joe Verace, said he’s now marketing the space to interested clients. It seats 65 and has brand-new equipment included.
The store’s owner, Greg Sandahl, couldn’t be reached for comment. A second Cannoli Cafe location was planned for The District at CherryVale, the outdoor shopping area that recently opened at CherryVale mall, but it didn’t materialize.
October 16th, 2008
Like chocolate? Like pictures? A new store in Caledonia is combining the two.
Elke Mari has opened up A Chocolate Moment inside Binanti’s Pizza and Restaurant, 2411 Main St., Caledonia. Mari offers chocolate bars, coins and other goodies that can have your pictures printed right on the candy.
Thanks to a new technology, the food dye-based ink created clear pictures that don’t affect the taste of the chocolate, Mari said.
Mari is marketing her wares to companies, weddings and gift givers, but will also offer individual products to walk-in customers — she is snapping pictures on the spot and printing them on chocolate while the customer waits.
For more information, go to her Web site: www.haveachocolatemoment.com.
