Ticket holders are invited to enjoy sales, promotions, and specials in each participating business that they created just for you.

Also, there is a chance to win “One Sweet Prize” ~ a gift basket filled with $250 worth of goodies from Rockford merchants. All ticket holders have to do is go from participating merchant to participating merchant and get a stamp and complete the puzzle phrase on the Sweet Chocolat map and turn it into WAR Chest for a chance to win.

Event organizer, Tricia DeKorne, from WAR Chest Boutique, has done a phenomenal job of preparing everything for this great event! She just designed the maps for the event and they are hot off the press, and they just packed the goodie bags yesterday! Ticket sales have been brisk, and they are completely sold out ~ the online sales were closed!

So, if you are one of the lucky ticket holders, just come down to Great Northern Trading Company to get your goodie bag and map and be ready for not just an event, but an experience! If not, you still can enjoy great shopping at one of the best downtown’s in Michigan!

The following stores are participating: Aunt Candy’s, Glik’s, Great Northern Trading Company, Grill One-11, JT Stitchery, Kimberly’s Boutique, LBD Exchange, Paperdoll Boutique, Right at Home, Rockford Brewing Company, Sassy Pants Boutique, Squire Street Mercantile, and WAR Chest Boutique.

Just fill out the form below – and show you care!

The Corner Bar, in all its beauty, is a Rockford landmark that has been photographed time and time again after its refurnishing. Soon, Glik’s will be joining its neighbor as a beautiful brick building.

If you have been driving around downtown Rockford you couldn’t miss the action going on around Glik’s! It is an exciting time for the downtown area as yet another business has decided to capture the past and get a beautiful facelift! The owners of the building have torn down the siding that hid the beautiful brick facade that was quietly waiting underneath, and have plans to give visitors a gorgeous building, just like its kitty-corner neighbor – The Corner Bar.

It looked at first like the building was completely closed with all the fencing, yellow tape and plastic that was engulfing the building and on the sidewalk, but the Chamber office found out that the entrance in the back of the building was still operating.

It is no secret that the downtown has been a work in progress during the years. Each addition to the streetscape has been a gorgeous step into the Norman Rockwell setting. The green metal benches, lamp posts, clocks, the brick inlaid walkways and planters that overflow with seasonal goodies all add to the charm that is Rockford. The Dam overlook has to be one of the most photographed places in West Michigan, with people celebrating graduations, engagements, weddings and everyday celebrations by snapping shots as the Rogue River flows behind them and the colorful flowers add to the perfect setting.

We cannot wait to see the newest change in the Rockford landscape finished! We will make sure we post a photo of it in all its glory!

Tom and Tracie Rich will be hosting the event in their building they remodeled prior to opening in June of 2012. It is located at 28 N. Monroe, in the heart of downtown Rockford. The couple has made quite an impression on Rockford, already growing their franchise to 10 agents and two support staff. The Rich’s were awarded the Outstanding New Franchise for the state of Michigan recently.

The Rich’s are hosting the Business After Hours to not only showcase their business, but to show they support their community.

“Local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, the Rockford Squire, and others have reached out to us and offered help and advice along the way that proved invaluable to getting up and running quickly,” continued Rich. “We are doing everything we can to return that support by being an active participant in local events and an advocate for our community.”

The Business After Hours is free, but you must register with the Chamber to attend. Please call 866-2000 so that you may attend this fun-filled evening.

The day features 18 holes of golf, dinner, contests, raffles and a game on each hole. The donations are starting to roll in, and golfers will be eyeing the chance to win a brand new television! Last year an impressive (-10) below par claimed the event and was shot by the Kellermeier Plumbing team.The trash talk has already begun on who will claim the Chamber’s beautiful Crystal Trophy in 2013.

If you would like to play, become a sponsor, or both, please download the registration and sponsorship forms. We can’t wait for this fun-filled event and hope you join us! If you are a sole player, or don’t have a complete team, just call us and we will help you complete your foursome.

• Registration Form

• Sponsorship Information Sheet

Tickets are almost SOLD OUT!

Shopping doesn’t get sweeter than this! Join us for an evening out full of sweet treats, sweet deals, and one sweet prize! HEART has planned

A Decadent Downtown Chocolate Stroll for Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 4-7 pm.

Let downtown Rockford treat you to a sweet evening out. Enjoy unique chocolate samples as you stroll through downtown…shopping doesn’t get much sweeter than this!

Tickets are $5 per person in advance, $8 per person the day of the event.

Online tickets are SOLD OUT. There are still a few tickets available for purchase at WAR Chest Boutique, 25A Squires St., prior to the event.

Tickets are $5 per person in advance, $8 per person the day of the event.

The day of the event just bring in the receipt for proof of purchase for your ticket to Great Northern Trading Co., 10 Squires Street, to receive a map, goody bag and enter to win “One Sweet Prize.”

For more information, visit the HEART Facebook page for more information and updates!

Meanwhile, how about this weather?

SOS is packed full of fun activities for the entire family and also includes carnival rides from the family-friendly Playworld Amusements.

Since the office is receiving a lot of calls about this event (seems everyone is interested in making plans, just like the committee) you can download the Parade Application here. The Craft and Vendor booths are FULL for this great event, thank you for your interest.

We can’t wait for the Start of Summer, how about you?

To apply for the scholarship a student must do the following:

• Complete the RCC Scholarship Application Form.
• A letter of reference from a high school administrator, coach, teacher, instructor, or Rockford Chamber of      Commerce member. This is limited to a one page, typed double-spaced or hand printed document with a signature.
• A response to the essay theme “With so many polarizing views and opinions in local, national and global conversation, how can business and individuals work to bring a community together?” This response must be submitted in a one-page, double-spaced or hand printed format.

Applicants should download the application and detail form.  After completing these, please send to: Jeannie Gregory, Executive Director, 598 Byrne Industrial Drive, Rockford, MI49341, or to: execdir@rockfordmichamber.com.  Complete applications are due into the Chamber office by midnight Sunday, February 24.

The RCC Scholarship winner will be notified by March 10 and announced at the Rockford 9th Annual Community EXPO Saturday, March 16, 2013.