USA, IL: New brewery coming to downtown Rockford in 2025

They say some things are just meant to be.

That seemed to be the case last year, when Alex Blondin and his business partner were looking for a building in downtown Rockford to open a brew pub and restaurant, the Rockford Register Star reported on February 5.

Six months ago, Blondin, a Rockford native and graduate of Auburn High School, and partner, fellow Rockford native Jake Felckowski, had a certain downtown building in mind for Bent Oak Brewery — until they happened upon another vacant property on the corner North Madison and Market streets and knew it was the right spot.

"We thought it would be perfect for a brewery," Blondin said of the 7,000-square-foot building at 125 N. Madison St. "Everything would be all on one floor."

There was a potential issue though. The building was for lease. Blondin and Felckowski were looking to purchase. So they decided to call the owner, Rockford development company Joseph James Partners, and ask if President Peter Provenzano would be willing to sell. He was.

"After a few back-and-forths, we agreed on a number," Blondin said. "That's how we got the building."

Blondin, a certified public accountant who works directly for Beloit businesswoman Diane Hendricks, said he was certain things were falling into place perfectly when he learned that city officials have longed to turn Madison Street into an entertainment district and new businesses like brew pubs were part of the vision.

"We are excited to open up and be part of the community down there," he said. "We know the other two breweries that are down there, and the restaurants are staples. And we really don't want to be in competition. We want to be another addition to the downtown business district."

Blondin, who now lives in Roscoe, said the original plan was to open Bent Oak Brewery this year. But with the upcoming road construction on Madison Street, he and Felckowski decided to shoot for spring 2025.

"It also gives us enough cushion for construction delays or any state and federal delays with our brewery application," he said.

The Rockford City Council approved Bent Oak Brewery's liquor license and special use permit last summer.

The project is being funded mostly by private dollars, but the partners hope to use historic tax credits and Tax Increment Financing to offset some of their construction costs.

"We are going to try to utilize as many resources as we can, but we are definitely not dependent on getting those," Blondin said.

About 4,000 square feet of the building will be occupied by brewing equipment. The remaining 3,000 square feet will be for seating. There will also be outdoor seating and retractable doors. The food and craft beer menus are in the works.

Felckowski, a Rockford native and pharmacist by trade, will serve as the brewer. Blondin will focus on the business end. And while he's never owned a bar or restaurant, Bent Oak is far from his first venture.

Blondin and his wife own Bubbles & Bows, a South Beloit pet company that offers grooming, boarding, supplies and mobile grooming. The couple bought the company four years ago and are in the process of opening a second location in Loves Park. Blondin's Bouncin' Inflatables, which rents inflatable bounce houses, waterslides and obstacle courses and does between 1,200 and 1,800 parties a year, is their other business.

Blondin is also a partner in Emerald Property Management, a company he formed with a former employee of Pioneer Real Estate, which merged its real estate and property management firms with Dickerson & Nieman Realtors last fall.

06 February, 2024