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By LeRoy and Lisa Jones
Proprietors of the Lafayette Hotel and Mandalay Lounge

First opened in 1927 as the Bus Stop Soda Stand in the then-new Lafayette Hotel, the soda stand quickly became the Mandalay Lounge until a change of ownership in 1961 — that was 30-plus years of business. Now, 200 N. Church St. has reclaimed the name Mandalay Lounge and its character.

Come in and enjoy this small lounge atmosphere that offers wireless Internet, news and sports channels, a relaxed setting with low background music such as blues and progressive jazz.

The Mandalay Lounge offers a nice place to have drinks and simple snacks before or after a downtown event, or a comfortable place to just sit and socialize with friends.

In downtown Rockford at the corner of Church and Mulberry streets, within walking distance of BMO Harris Bank Center, Coronado Theatre, Davis Park and Sullivan Theater, we fully support the arts and invite any local artist to hang their works in our lounge.

The Lafayette Hotel fits the definition of a hotel, like no other in Rockford’s history: residences, retail space, restaurant.

The Lafayette Hotel has had many renovations. Today, because of constant maintenance and restoration, the Lafayette Hotel remains unique as a functioning structure in Rockford history.

In the hotel’s 85-year story, the Lafayette Hotel has seen many changes. We at the hotel believe downtown has turned from the past pages of decline to new pages of prosperity, where the best is yet to come for the heart of Rockford.

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of “hotel” — (heútEl old-fashioned u-tEl), sb. [a.F.Hôtel, later form of hostel (see HOSTEL sb. 1).] 1. (In French use.) A. A large private residence, a town mansion. b. A public official residence, hôtel de ville, the mansion house of maire, a town hall.

The Lafayette Hotel was built during a period of high prosperity. The building was constructed with excellent materials and workmanship. This quality still shines and is one of the elements that makes The Lafayette Hotel the unique landmark it is today.

Named after the Marquis de Lafayette, the hotel’s most famous guest has been Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Editor & Publisher of The Rock River Times, Frank Schier, even managed Harper’s Weekly from 1985 to 1987; and believe it or not, we still get along with him.

Here’s a little more history for you, the establishments and their owners at 200 N. Church St., were: 1927-1968 — Mandalay Lounge — Lafayette Hotel; 1968-1973 — Ram Room — Howard Crosby; 1973-1974 — Body Shop; 1974-1977 — Executive Lounge; 1978-1987 — Harper’s Weekly — Peter Alexander; 1987-1988 — Cubby O’Brien — Steve Shortino, Gary Dahlberg; 1988-1997 — Cubby’s West — Gene Gosseaux; 1997-2006 — Swilligan’s — Paul Mangiaracino; 2006-2008 — Swilligan’s — Reggie Roberson; 2008-2010 — Tommy’s Swilligan’s –— Tom Lester; 2010-2011 — Swilligan’s — Lisa Grentz, Jarod Ramsden, Tanya and Craig Reddings; April 2012 — Mandalay Lounge — Lafayette Hotel.

With a rich history and many stories to tell, we’ve returned to our roots and original name, The Mandalay Lounge. Come on in and meet our bartenders, Beth, LeRoy and Dan. Lounge hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Phone 1-779-423-1061. Come on in and enjoy our low-key atmosphere and relax. We look forward to seeing you.

From the May 2-8, 2012, issue