As downtown Rockford continues to evolve, the upcoming Hotel Rose is now slated to include a trendy addition for local gourmands and visitors alike. MudPenny, a restaurant chain with origins as a modest coffee cart, is preparing to launch its fourth location on the boutique hotel's ground floor. According to a report by FOX 17, the new spot will accommodate roughly 100 guests and will offer a full range of dining options, from breakfast to dinner, including a dedicated coffee bar near the front entrance.
Matthew Fuller, the owner of MudPenny, shared his anticipation with FOX 17, saying, "At the front entrance, we're going to have a full-service coffee bar." MudPenny has experienced considerable growth from its start in 2012, already operating in Ada and the Roosevelt Park neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Now, with aspirations to hire approximately 25 to 30 new staff members, Fuller is invested in bringing career opportunities to Rockford, remarking, "We bring a lot of career servers, a lot of career cooks, and so the job growth opportunity for us is amazing."
In a Thursday release mentioned by WOOD TV, Hotel Rose developers, Wheeler Development Group, expressed that MudPenny's eclectic menu ranging from protein pancakes to crème brûlée French toast sticks and their unique coffee offerings will seamlessly align with the hotel's vision. The Wheeler Development Group is the force behind the hotel's construction, a $14 million project that ground on June and promises to add to Rockford's downtown vibrancy and appeal.
The additional tenants announced for Hotel Rose include a medical spa, Direct Aesthetics, and Kula Yoga, complemented by another yet-to-be-disclosed restaurant owned by the hotel itself. According to a statement obtained by MLive, Ryan Wheeler, president of Wheeler Development Group, highlighted that "Mudpenny brings a unique offering to downtown Rockford and in terms of our tenant mix, is a perfect complement to our signature restaurant concept on the North end of building." The forthcoming MudPenny location is expected to enhance the guest experience with its blend of offerings that will cater to different audiences throughout the day.
Construction on Hotel Rose is anticipated to conclude by end of July, with MudPenny and other businesses eyeing an early fall grand opening. The expansion represents significant strides from the brand's coffee cart roots, with the Rockford MudPenny destined to be both a social hub and a testament to Fuller's commitment to "excellence in every detail," which he expressed during an interview with WOOD TV. "From our small beginnings as a coffee cart in downtown Grand Rapids to our expansion in Ada," Fuller said, "we've remained committed to excellence in every detail."
