New Store Hosting Big Welcome Party at Former Rockford Hilander Store

The old Hilander grocery store on Rural Street in Rockford will have new tenants soon and they'd like to get to know their new neighbors.

It was so hard to say goodbye to the Rural Oaks Hilander grocery store. Even though the store was eaten up by Schnuck's Markets Inc. in 2013, it will always be known to locals as Hilander. It wasn't long after the acquisition that Schnuck's announced they would be closing the 1715 Rural Street location. It did close in May of 2014.

Former Rural Oaks Hilander Has New Tenants

Seven years after closing, the former grocery store gets a new life, that will help save others'. Carpenter’s Place has purchased the building and soon it will be the home of Carpenter’s Corner Thrift and More.

If you're not familiar with Carpenter's Place, they are a nonprofit organization that provides  tools homeless adults need to rebuild their lives.

This new earned-income venture will raise funds for the support of CP's services to homeless adults and families in crisis, and also house special mission-based programs such as 'Cycles for Change' bike program, a children’s “give-away” library, professional clothing for those seeking employment, and more.

Carpenter's Corner Parking Lot Party

On Saturday, August 22 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. the parking lot will filled with live music, food trucks, pop-up shops, face painting and other activities for your entire family.

The party is FREE. Parking in the lot will not be allowed as it will be filled with all this fun.

Carpenter's place will have an information booth set up for any questions you may have about their services. You can also get details on how you can volunteer or help the organization in some way.

If you have questions that you need answers to right away:

Volunteering

Brooke at cpengagement@carpentersplace.org

Store questions

Brent at brentschaer@carpentersplace.org