They say some things are just meant to be.
That seemed to be the case last year, when Alex Blondin and his business partner were looking for a building in downtown Rockford to open a brew pub and restaurant.
Six months ago, Blondin, a Rockford native and graduate of Auburn High School, and partner, fellow Rockford native Jake Felckowski, had a certain downtown building in mind for Bent Oak Brewery — until they happened upon another vacant property on the corner North Madison and Market streets and knew it was the right spot.
“We thought it would be perfect for a brewery,” Blondin said of the 7,000-square-foot building at 125 N. Madison St. “Everything would be all on one floor.”
There was a potential issue though. The building was for lease. Blondin and Felckowski were looking to purchase. So they decided to call the owner, Rockford development company Joseph James Partners, and ask if President Peter Provenzano would be willing to sell. He was.
“After a few back-and-forths, we agreed on a number,” Blondin said. “That’s how we got the building.”