Grocery store coming to downtown Rockford, receives $165K state grant

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new grocery store, coming to downtown Rockford, has secured funding from the State of Illinois.

City Center Market will be located adjacent to Downtown Discount Drugs at the corner of West State and North Church Streets, under the ownership of Raj Patel and his son Ashay.

The combination grocery-pharmacy is expected to sell fresh produce, craft beer, and wine, and feature a UPS Store.

Above the store, 35 loft-style apartments are being renovated into the Nu-State Apartments.

A portion of the funding for the grocery store comes from a $165,491 grant from Illinois’ New Stores in Food Deserts program.

“A grocery store has long been considered a missing link in the rejuvenation of downtown Rockford,” Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) said. “That need only increases as office space continues to be converted into residential use. State investment to help downtown Rockford redefine itself helps the entire region because economic growth doesn’t occur in communities with stagnant or declining cores.”

To be eligible for the grant funding, stores must meet the following criteria:

• Must be located in a food desert,
• Must earn less than 30% of revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales,
• Must accept SNAP and WIC, and
• Must contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in community.

According to the Governor’s Office, the $165,491 for the City Center Market will go toward updated refrigeration and coolers.