Neglected IL Shopping Mall Will Get a Major Upgrade

The glory days of Machesney Park Mall may be long gone, but it's getting ready for a comeback to the tune of a $7 million dollar upgrade.

A Vital Piece of Machesney Park, Illinois History

If you've lived in the Rockford area for quite a while, I'm sure you fondly remember the days of shopping at JCPenney, Kohl's, or Bergner's (previously known as Younker's) at the Machesney Park Mall. (When I was a kid my Mom was particularly fond of the Prange Way store).

When the mall opened in 1979, it was a hotspot for shoppers, especially for those living in the Loves Park, Machesney Park, Rockton, and Roscoe areas, but in the 1990s things started to take a downward turn.

Here's a trip down Machesney Park Mall's memory lane thanks to Rockford Rocked...

Several businesses like Burlington Coat Factory and Big Lots are still open at the Machesney Park Mall, (now known as Machesney Town Center), so the location has never been totally vacant or abandoned. We must admit though, the space has seen WAY better days, but thankfully, that is all about to change!

Nestory Park Self Storage via Facebook, Canva

A New Restaurant, Bar, and Gaming Space is Coming to Machesney Park Mall

In the last few years, things have started to change for the better at Machesney Park Mall. Some new businesses are opening up there...

and now a major mall glow-up is in the works!

The Rockford Register Star reports that a new restaurant, bar, and gaming space will be opening soon inside the Nestory Park Self Storage space that is located at the North end of the Machesney Park Mall, which is part of a massive $7 million dollar investment plan.

So, what will this new restaurant/bar/gaming space be exactly? That secret is still under wraps. I guess we'll just have to keep a close eye on all the things happening at the Machesney Park Mall if we want to be among the first to find out!