A new coffee and pastry spot promoting local artists will be a new addition in the city.
From Rock River Current, a new cafe is coming to 130 N First Street in Rockford‘s downtown. This is an art-centric coffee shop concept that will feature brews and pastries from around the world. Co-owner Tatianna Salisbury told What Now Chicago she and the team are hoping to debut the concept by the beginning or middle of June.
Right now, drinks being served at pop-ups are under the name “Gallery Grounds.” Salisbury and her sister, Zolna Blosser, wanted to introduce a community gathering place that celebrates art, and invites local creatives. The two have had the idea for around two months
“It’s a great way to bring people together,” Salisbury said.
Right now, the team is hosting pop-ups to tease their cafe to the community. Their father, Bob Blosser, owns the business Bennie’s Cleaners, next to the upcoming cafe. While the business is a dry cleaner, Bob runs an art gallery and event space inside that hosts local artists and pop-ups.
A menu will be released closer to the opening, and some of their drinks were recently served at the ArtScene event on April 25 in downtown. Salisbury said the cafe will have different drinks from around the world, offering a “coffee passport” to guests that allows them to choose different regions for the brews, such as Greece. The team is also partnering with a local bakery for the pastry options.
As Salisbury has traveled both domestically and internationally, she knows the value of offering flavors from different regions. She wants the new business to be known as a coffee house/dessert cafe.
The new business is at the corner of Market Street near the city center. Also at the building is 6 Finger Tattoo, and Smith & Sons antique store is behind it. This area of downtown is home to other cafe concepts, such as Inzombia Coffee, RAD Fuel Co. and Wired Cafe.
As it gets closer to the opening date, Salisbury and the team will be releasing more information for the Rockford community.
