Getting to know local businesses of the Stateline

While visiting each business in search of participants for the Main Street Tour, it became clear that events like Main Street Tour are a crucial part of what it takes to make it as a local business in the Stateline. After receiving great participation from local businesses during the event, the Stateline Chamber went back to learn more about several of the businesses.    

Rubies-n-Rust

Tammy Hendricks has owned Rubies-n-Rust for four years ever since purchasing the store formerly known as the Rustic Rooster. Before owning the historic building on downtown Rockton’s Main Street, Tammy had a booth for her antiques inside the Rustic Rooster.  After growing up in Belvidere, IL and always loving the historic downtown with all its character and small town charms. Her love for that small town feel and tight-knit community is what brought her to Rockton. If you talk to anyone in Rockton they will tell you that one of the best parts of owning their business on Main Street is the support of their fellow downtown store owners. The Rockton business owners have even created a Facebook page “The Shops of Rockton” to help promote all the specials and events going on throughout the year at Main Street stores.

JR Finally Art Studio

You can find Jill Rae Martin-Golden owner of JR Finally Art studio at her drawing table painting five days a week on Rockton’s Main Street. Jill always knew she wanted to be an artist when she “grew up”, after raising her family and working in the corporate world for 15 years she is finally doing just that. When Jill purchased the oldest commercial building in Rockton her Husband set to work building his wife a studio, gallery and will soon put the finishing touches on a classroom. JR Finally Art Studio is not just for Jill’s art, you can also find works from several other local artists including jewelry, pottery, pet accessories, woodworking and of course paintings. Jill believes that events like the Main Street Tour are important for small businesses to have an opportunity to create relationships with people in their communities.    

Roscoe Antique Mall

Roscoe Antique Mall of South Beloit has been in business for 20 years originally opening its doors in Roscoe and then moving to South Beloit four years later. Manager Allie Hoernecke has been working for the Antique mall for over 15 years and contributes the store’s continued success, in part, to their close proximity to 251 and I-90. Being so close to the tollway they attract antique lovers from all over looking to expand their collections. The Roscoe Antique mall also does monthly gift card giveaways for customers who sign up in their store and special events throughout the year.

K. Paige

Brooke Anderson brought her one of a kind shop K.Paige to Roscoe’s Main Street two and a half years ago. K.Paige gives women in the Stateline someplace to find that perfect statement piece or unique gift they’ve been looking for. One of K.Paige’s Facebook followers stated that “it’s like shopping with your best friends!” Like many other business owners in the Stateline  Brooke chose Roscoe over a busier city like Rockford for her love of the community. You’re likely to see Brooke out in her community on any given week supporting local events like National Night Out, where this year K.Paige provided two live bands.