Beef-A-Roo Is Looking At Highcrest Centre For New Location

I would think most of us in the Rockford area are big fans of Beef-A-Roo, so when I first heard that they're considering opening a new location in Rockford's Highcrest Centre, I applauded the decision.

It was sad to see Sturtevant's Menswear close their doors in October of last year after being a part of Highcrest Centre for 45 years, but the coronavirus shutdowns and uncertainty made it extremely difficult for the store to remain in business.

Since the closing of Sturtevant's, there's been a pretty good level of curiosity about what or who might take over the building that sits at 1670 North Alpine Road on the northeast side of Highcrest parking lot near Midland States Bank.

Well, not that's it's a done deal (that we in the local media know about, anyway) yet, but reports started being spread around on Monday that Beef-A-Roo is seriously considering adding a new location at that spot.

Beef-A-Roo currently has 7 Rockford area locations at Auburn, Riverside, Lexus Drive, N. Second Street (Loves Park), South Alpine, Adamson Lane (Machesney Park), Rock Rose Court (Roscoe), and one location at 820 West Main Street in Dundee.

It's nice to see a Rockford favorite that's been around for almost 55 years (my first visit to one was in 1968) not only doing well with its existing stores, but expanding outward. Published reports say the current owner-operators are very interested in franchising opportunities.

MyStateline.com reports that the Rockford Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a permit for the proposed restaurant on Tuesday, so I would think that we should see some construction activity begin to happen in the very near future.