Rescue Mission’s Restoration Café opens location inside Nicholas Conservatory

Online Staff Report

Rockford Rescue Mission has joined forces with the Rockford Park District to establish the Restoration Café’s second location inside the new Nicholas Conservatory, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford.

“When we were approached with the possibility of being the concessionaire for the Conservatory, we were thrilled at the opportunity,” said Rockford Rescue Mission Executive Director Sherry Pitney. “The original location [625 W. State St.] has been open since June 2009, and continually gets great reviews from our patrons. The opportunity to be part of this great new addition in our community is very exciting for us.”

Restoration Café is not simply a café that provides good food and its own private blend of coffee. It is also the vocational training program for the men and women who reside at Rockford Rescue Mission in the Life Recovery Program.

“The men and women get hands-on training in food service and preparation, housekeeping, food sanitation, and barista and customer service — all skills needed to obtain employment in the food service industry,” Pitney said.

Inside the Nicholas Conservatory, Restoration Café will be open 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays. Menu items include coffee, tea, soft drinks, muffins, yogurt parfaits, sandwiches, salads, soups and cookies. The 625 W. State location is open 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday.

For more about Rockford Rescue Mission, visit www.rockfordrescuemission.org.