Meet Sarene
When did you move to the Rockford area?
August 2011
What are your hobbies or interests?
I love hiking, biking—anything outdoors that includes physical movement. I also enjoy curling up under a warm blanket with a hot latte and a book.
Favorite restaurant in Rockford?
Greenfire
Best place to grab pizza in Rockford?
Woodfire and Greenfire
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone new to Rockford?
Sign up for a membership to Peak Sports Club. You’ll thank me in the winter.
Favorite fall activity or attraction in the area?
My favorite fall activity is a family road trip to Wisconsin during peak leaf color season. It’s beautiful and fun for the whole family. I also love having lunch at Fresco at the Gardens by the huge windows, overlooking the garden and taking in all the beautiful trees and colors.
Favorite winter activity or attraction in the area?
Our entire family loves the Christmas lights! There are so many free light shows, and the one in Sinnissippi Park is even better than the one in Chicago—and it’s free!
Favorite summer activity or attraction in the area?
All the parks! There are so many beautiful parks in Rockford and within a couple hours’ drive. We still discover new parks every year. Biking the trails is our favorite way to explore the parks, and there are multiple 20+ mile trails in the area to keep us pedaling.
What’s a fun or random fact about you?
I am a certified coffee taster.
What do you think makes Rockford such a great place to live?
Rockford has everything you need on a daily basis within a 20-minute drive and minimal traffic, and when you want to go out during the weekend, there are three major cities within a 1.5-hour drive. There’s always something to do.
Occupation
Co-Founder and CEO of Tad More Tailoring
What stage of life are you in?
Professional/school-age children
How do you prefer to meet or connect?
Hybrid (a mix of both)
What’s your best advice for someone experiencing their first winter in Rockford?
Become a member at Peak Sports Club—it’s a great place for the family to get exercise and for friends to meet and be active.
Buy a really warm coat.
Buy waterproof snow boots.
Do these, and you’ll be just fine.
Favorite local event or festival
Art Scene
Best place to go for a night out in Rockford?
I’m not a night person, but I can tell you the best place for breakfast is Fresco at the Garden, and the best coffee is at Velvet Robot
One hidden gem in the Rockford area that you’d recommend?
Rock Cut Park
What’s your favorite thing about the Rockford community?
It’s extremely diverse and welcoming.
If you had a free day in Rockford, what would you do?
I’d start by kayaking at Rock Cut Park, then go to Fresco at the Garden for lunch, and read a bit with a cup of tea while overlooking the garden. Afterward, I’d go for a walk in the garden, then stroll down East State to explore all the nifty stores, and have a pizza at Woodfire for dinner. At sunset, I’d take a walk by the river to enjoy the light breeze and the view of the lights twinkling on the water.
Where’s the best place to enjoy nature in or around Rockford?
Rock Cut Park is my favorite, but Blackhawk Preserve and Bauman Park are also beautiful. Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin is another amazing spot to experience.
What’s your favorite local small business or shop?
Well, Tad More Tailoring, of course!
Best way to get involved in the community?
Find a group that does what you like, and go.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you first moved to Rockford?
I wish someone had drawn the simplified grid of Perryville, Mulford, Alpine, Riverside, East State, and Harrison for me when I first arrived. Once you have the grid visualized in your head, you can figure out where anything is in relation to those streets. You slowly build out the map in your head, but having that as a starting point would have been very helpful.