Entrepreneurs flock to Freeport for affordable real estate and business perks

FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — If you visit Freeport in the next month, don’t be surprised if you see a few new businesses.

The Pretzel City is welcoming several new businesses in the coming weeks.

Carmela Jackson celebrated the opening of her Twice As Nice consignments store on Friday.

“It’s really a good time for business owners. I do see a lot of businesses opening right now, and I just think it’s a really good time. People are supporting small businesses more now than ever,” she said.

Freeport is seeing an influx of new business, according to Greater Freeport Partnership business engagement director Bill Clow.

“The fact that we’re looking at, I think, six or seven scheduled ribbon cuttings in June. We’ve had several in the last couple of months already. I think that speaks highly of the business climate,” he said.

Clow said affordable real estate and ample opportunity has attracted entrepreneurs from Beloit to Chicago, who want to open shops in Freeport.

“Part of it is one of the things that both the city and the Greater Freeport Partnership have been doing is trying to get the word out about the advantages of Freeport and Stephenson County and, you know, affordable real estate, business friendly climate and trying to get, you know, make it easy for businesses to start,” Clow said.

One of the new businesses is Pretzel City Barbershop. Owner Jaime Rivas said he has seen the city’s growth firsthand.

“I can tell you, since I moved here four years ago, it’s been busier. More people are in Freeport, and businesses will come with time, but they are starting to come back to Freeport. You know, I’m excited to see more people come in, and it’s just exciting, you know, to see how far we can get,” he said.

Other businesses opening soon include a shoe store, credit union, and auto parts seller.