51 Rockford restaurants receive $189K in COVID-19 pandemic relief grants

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Fifty-one Rockford restaurants will share $189,871 in COVID-19 pandemic relief grants to offset high unemployment taxes.

Each business received different amounts, depending on their tax liability. The highest grant awarded by the Illinois Restaurant Relief Grant was $21,622.

“The Restaurant Relief Grant is making a real difference for our local hospitality industry,” said John Groh, President/CEO of GoRockford. “These businesses shape our community identity, spark creativity and create vital jobs. We’re proud to see another round of funding go to the hardworking restaurant, bar, and coffee shop owners whose passion helps Rockford and our region grow, thrive and remain a vibrant place to live and visit.”

The funding aims to help with the financial strain placed on restaurants due to unemployment tax payments incurred during government-ordered shutdowns during the pandemic.

The following restaurants received grants in the third round of the program:

• 27 Aluna @ Octane
• Abreo Restaurant
• Alchemy at Aldeen/ Gio events
• Alpine View Restaurant
• Broadway Joe’s (Dusty Boots Saloon)
• Carlyle Brewing
• Casey’s Pub
• Culver’s of Winnebago
• District Bar & Grill
• Don Carter Lanes
• Famous Dave’s Rockford
• Forest Hills Lanes
• Franchesco’s Ristorante
• Golden Corral
• Greenfire Restaurant & Bakery
• Hoffman House
• Hope & Anchor English Pub
• J. W. Marc’s Fusion Café
• Joe’s Casa Di Amici
• Johnny Pamcakes
• Johnny Pamcakes Too
• John’s Restaurant
• LimaMar Restaurant
• Lucha Cantina
• Machine Shed
• Mary’s Market
• Mulligan’s of Rockford
• Murphy’s Pub & Grill
• Onyx Bar & Grill
• Oscar’s Pub & Grill
• Park Lanes
• Pig Minds
• Pizza Ranch
• Rookie’s Pub & Grill
• Rusty Nail Tavern
• Scanlan’s
• Spider Sushi
• Stockholm Inn
• Stockyard Rock Burger Bar/Half Baked Bar
• Tad’s Bar & Grill
• Tavern on Clark
• Thai Hut Restaurant
• The Cherry Bowl
• The Filling Station
• The Norwegian
• The Olympic Tavern
• The Pomodoro
• Thunderbay Grill
• Tower Kitchen & Bar
• Viking Lanes
• Vintage @501/TacoLibre

This is the third round of funding from the grant program, which has administered $855,158 to local businesses in total.