New Food Market Coming to Rockford’s North End
Rockford’s North End is getting a fresh start with a new food market at the former Village Green site on North Main Street. Entrepreneurs Joel Zirkle and Bobby Walsh are transforming the nearly 2-acre property into a food hub filled with restaurants, a commercial kitchen, and hydroponic farms.
They recently purchased the site for $75,000 and plan to create a vibrant indoor market. It will host 10 to 12 food vendors and a bar. The greenhouses will be reactivated to grow fruits and vegetables, which will be available for wholesale and retail sales. The market will also feature a food stand serving quick bites like hot dogs and sandwiches.
“This will be a friendly family destination,” Zirkle said. “We want to include live music, cooking classes, and gardening workshops for the community.”
Zirkle and Walsh, both familiar faces in the area, are excited about the project. Walsh, a real estate broker, along with his wife, has lived in Rockford for about a decade. Zirkle, who just retired from an environmental consulting firm, is also deeply connected to the community.
The North & Main Market is expected to open within the next six to nine months, following renovations like new roofs and interior upgrades. This project is part of a larger effort to revitalize the North End, which has seen a decline after Village Green closed in September 2024. Walsh believes this market could serve as a catalyst for economic growth.
Local Alderwoman Gina Meeks echoed that sentiment, saying, “When Village Green left, it felt like a piece of the community was lost. Bringing in a new food destination will help restore that spirit.”
The market aims to support new restaurant owners by offering smaller, affordable spaces. Walsh stated that these spaces would range from 500 to 700 square feet, making it easier for budding chefs to take their first steps toward owning a restaurant.
As Rockford keeps evolving, this new food market is a reminder of the area’s rich history and culinary traditions, and it promises to become a gathering place for families, food lovers, and local entrepreneurs.
For more information on the revitalization efforts in Rockford, you can find resources from the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
This new venture looks to blend the past with the present, setting the stage for a vibrant future.
