We recently asked our Stateline Kids readers what businesses they would like to see in the Stateline and we got some really great answers!
Some of these business suggestions exist in some form in the Stateline, but parents would either like to see more options or options closer to where they live. Some of the businesses used to exist in the Stateline, but have since closed down and left parents wanting a replacement. Others are brand new ideas that the Stateline has never seen! If you’re a budding entrepreneur, you may want to look into opening one of these types of shops.
Here are the businesses that parents would like to see (or see more of) in the Stateline.
Kids’ Toy Shop / Kids’ Book Store / Kids’ Cafe
Stateline parents would love to see a local toy store or kids’ book store that fills the void that Toys ‘R Us and Wonderland Books left. Bonus points if there’s an attached cafe where parents can enjoy a drink and kids can get a treat.
Local options that already exist:
- 3Rs’ Learning Center in Roscoe
- Katie’s Cup in Rockford (kids’ books for purchase or free and free games to use while you’re there)
Indoor Activities: Rock Climbing, Inflatables, Obstacle Courses & Play Centers
Stateline parents agree that there’s a lack of indoor activity options for kids during the freezing Midwest winters and scorching summers. Parents would love to see more options that the Stateline doesn’t have such as iFly, Jump Zone, or Funtopia. We’d love to see a return of a local option like Peanut Butter Playhouse!
Local options that already exist:
- Sapora Playworld in Rockford
- FLOW Trampoline Park in Rockford
- GAR South Trampoline Park and Ninja Course in Rockford
- Coral Cove Family Fun Center in South Beloit
Outdoor Activities: Rope Courses & Zip Lines
Stateline parents want to get out and get active during the summer. They’d love to see more rope courses, ziplines, and other outdoor activities for kids and families.
Local options that already exist:
Upscale Children’s Clothing Boutiques
Stateline parents want to dress their kids up in cute and trendy outfits from a local children’s boutique. They’d love to see more of them in the area with a wider selection of clothes for babies through tweens.
Local options that already exist:
- Taylor and Max in Rockton
- Classy Rascals Children’s Boutique in Janesville
- Autumn and Oak in the Midwest Rustic in Rockford
Children’s Consignment Shop and Sales
Parents are looking for more places in the Stateline to shop for kids’ clothes and consign the clothes that their kids have outgrown. There’s also a lack of consignment sales happening in the Stateline. Parents would love to see more options for older kids’ clothes too.
Local options that already exist:
Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods
Healthy food and reasonably priced groceries are on Stateline families’ minds when they talk about wanting Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods to come to town. People have been requesting these businesses for years, but we haven’t heard any rumors that they’ll be coming to the Stateline any time soon.
Local options that already exist:
- Bushel and Peck’s in Beloit
- Choices Natural Market in Loves Park
- Basic Cooperative Natural Food in Janesville
- CSAs in the Stateline
Teen & Tween Activities
Many activities and events in the Stateline have a cut-off age between 10 and 13 years old. This includes most of the area summer camps. Parents would love to see more options to keep tweens and teens busy and having fun in the Stateline throughout the year.
Local options that already exist:
New Playgrounds
Stateline parents would like to see bigger and better playgrounds in the Stateline! Many of the area playgrounds have been around since the ‘90s and are up for renovation or removal. Parents would love to see more unique and interesting playground equipment.
Local options that already exist:
- Kelly Myers Park in Roscoe
- Camden Playground in Janesville
- Briarcrest Park in Janesville
- Eagle Ridge Park in Beloit
- **Upcoming Keeling Trailhead Park (fka Saturn Park) in Rockford
More Free Splash Pads
Stateline parents would love to see a new free splash in the area specifically in Rockford, which is lacking a free splash pad or sprayground.
Local options that already exist:
- Riverside Park Splash Pad in Janesville
- Milton Splash Pad in Milton
- Doty Sprayground in Belvidere
- Splash Canyon Water Park in Oregon
- Water Wonderland Splash Pad in Dixon
- Klehm Arboretum in Rockford ($)
Indoor Skate Park
An indoor skate park for kids and teens to practice their skateboard, rollerblade, or scooter skills would be an awesome addition to the Stateline. Parents would love to see this option anywhere in the Stateline.
Local options that already exist:
Indoor Water Park
The Stateline could really use a large indoor waterpark for the Fall and Winter months. Stateline parents would love to see somewhere they can have a staycation. This could fill the space that CoCo Key left when it closed down in 2015.
Local options that already exist:
Gourmet Cookie Shop
Who doesn’t love cookies? Parents want a gourmet cookie shop with unique options to find its way to the Stateline. Bonus points if they’re open late or deliver like Insomnia Cookies.
Local options that already exist:
- By The Dozen in Machesney Park
- Sugarjones in Loves Park
- Halo Cupcake in Loves Park
- Cookies by Design in Rockford
Breweries and Wineries
More family-friendly breweries and wineries are on Stateline parents’ wish lists. Breweries and wineries that have games, food, and activities for kids would be a great addition to what we already have in the area.
Local options that already exist:
- DC Estate Winery in South Beloit
- McEacharan Winery in Caledonia
- Barnstormer Distillery in Rockford
- Hairy Cow Brewing Company in Byron
- Prairie Street Brewing Company in Rockford
Board Game Cafe
Popular in bigger cities, a board game cafe allows customers to check out board games to play while they enjoy a meal, snack, or drink. These cafes have games for all ages to enjoy. Stateline parents would love to see this come to the area.
Local options that already exist:
- None that we know of! If you’ve heard of one, email us at hello@statelinekids.com to get it on our list.
Cooking Classes / Cooking Lessons for Kids
Stateline parents would love to see cooking classes available for kids to learn basic cooking and baking skills. Bonus points if it’s held in a restaurant where parents could enjoy a meal while their kids took lessons.
Local options that already exist:
