The Top 5 Businesses Rockford Peeps Want More Than Any Other

A recent survey asked about businesses we most wish we had in Rockford. The top vote-getter was also by a huge margin. Do you feel the same about this list?

No two people are the same, but there are definitely many people in the city of Rockford who want the same thing.

The Steve Shannon Show recently asked a question that clearly some people feel pretty strongly about:

What Business Would You Love to See Come to Rockford?

I'll bet more than a few businesses just popped into your head. When looking over the hundreds of answers to our question, we discovered something unique about the top 5 vote-getters. You'll see it too.

The Top 5 Businesses Rockford Peeps Want More Than Any Other

Let's start with number five and work our way up. Maybe you'll be as surprised as I was with the first one on the list.

#5

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

There are some Rockford restaurants that have hosted these kinds of performances, but never on the regular.

Honorable mention: A brew-and-view type of movie theater, with big comfortable chairs, tables, a waitstaff, and of course some snacks and appetizers.

#4

Jamba Juice

At one point in my life, it seemed like there was a Jamba Juice location in every shopping mall in America, so it surprises me that there has never been a location in the food court at Cherryvale Mall.

Honorable mention: Until the day we get a Jamba Juice, I hear we shouldn't be sleeping on this place called, Roscoe Nutrition.

#3

Whole Foods

We've landed on the first of the two grocery stores that made this list. I've only been into a Whole Foods location once, in the Chicago suburbs, and it was a quick run-in-run-out type of trip. I have yet to experience to wonder that apparently is shopping at Whole Foods.

#2

Trader Joe's

There are over 525 locations around the U.S. and Rockford people never miss an opportunity to tell anyone who will listen, that Trader Joe's is the perfect grocery store to come here. Again, I have nothing to add as I have never been inside a Trader Joe's.

The most-often-mentioned business that we'd love to see come to Rockford, has a location just about an hour from Rockford (45 minutes if you don't hit much traffic). It's nice to have a location not too far away, but the masses need it in The Forest City, and it appears it's in the worst way.

#1

Cheesecake Factory

I wish I could remember the flavor of my first cheesecake slice from Cheesecake Factory, but the truth is, it was a date with my girlfriend, who is now my wife, and everything was amazing that day.

Trying to decide what to order for a meal at this place is quite a challenge, they must have the largest menu in the restaurant business. While you keep waiting for the Factory to set up shop, we heard that Machesney Park's Mac Brother's Cheesecake is an incredible choice.

Honorable mention: Two fast-food restaurants mentioned heavily we're Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and In-N-Out Burger.

If none of your favorites made the Top 5, maybe you'll find 'your family' in all of the Facebook comments below.