ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Many Rockford residents are old enough to remember places like the Ing Skating Palace, the Last Straw ice cream parlor and restaurant, even Kiddieland.
Although those businesses have been gone for many years, they still have a special place in the hearts of stateline residents.
“You can’t beat those days,” said Jeff Antinucci, a third-generation cobbler who now owns Charles Street Shoe Repair.
Growing up, Antinucci remembers eating dinner at places like the Branding Iron and shopping for groceries at Hilander. Both businesses closed years ago. But, they still live on.
“It’s just nostalgic,” Antinucci said. “It brings back the memories. Because everything now is just chain stuff. And to get that family, individual attention and personal touch, you can’t beat it.”
Keith Watson, of Rockford, says some old Rockford brands are more important to certain people.
“Everyone has a different favorite,” Watson said. “It depends on what era you grew up in.”
Some local residents really miss Bishop’s Buffet while others fondly remember K’s Merchandise and Cubby O’Brien’s, Watson said.