Rooftop Dining Coming to Downtown Rockford this Summer

Warm Summer nights in Rockford just got better. We're getting a new place to dine, cocktail and enjoy life and it's a first for our city.

When I moved to Rockford almost 21 years ago, I lived in a high-rise apartment building on the Rock river that I wished had a rooftop area for tenants. There's just something about being the first one in town to catch the sun or moon rays.

Over these years we've seen some pretty cool leaps forward in downtown river district activities. The shopping game is strong, the food and beverage game is strong and probably the best thing to come to downtown Rockford in years, the City Market is enjoyed by hundreds of people every week during the summer. Now coming in August, overlooking the City Market, a restaurant and event center with a rooftop bar called The Standard.

To the locals, the name 'standard' may ring a bell. This new fun spot will be the completely remodeled Rockford Standard Furniture store.

According to a story published on wrex.com, the 3-floor building will feature Tique Furnishings, London Avenue designs and Arch Apothecary on the first floor and basement. The second floor will be the catering kitchen, a bar, meeting rooms and restrooms. The third floor will be the all-glass rooftop bar. Paul Sletten, who owns Abreo will be The Standard's chef as well as a new restaurant next door called Taco Betty's. The Standard and Taco Betty's will share the rooftop bar and are expected to open in August.

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