'It's just time': Downtown Rockford Subway closing its doors for good

ROCKFORD — Pam Blume plans to close the Subway restaurant at the Richardson Building, 201 W. State St., permanently May 10.

Blume who bought the location a decade ago said business has thrived at the corner of State and Main streets in the city center.

Even lunch business was starting to recover from the pandemic. She praised the building owners Marge and Kyle Bevers and partner Don Bissell who she said have been good to work with.

But Blume — a 1978 Guilford High School graduate who was born and raised in Rockford — said she is closing for personal reasons. Her parents who still live in the Rockford home they built 67 years ago are soon to turn 96 and 93 years old.

"It has nothing to do with business. Business has been good," Blume said. "I am going to retire to take care of my parents, and I have six grandchildren. It is really just time for me personally to retire and spend more time with family."

'It's time to be done': Downtown Rockford burger restaurant closes

Blume also plans to volunteer some of her time at the Rockford Rescue Mission during retirement.

The West State Street location has been a Subway restaurant since at least the mid-90s under previous owners. Blume had also operated a Subway location inside the YMCA downtown but it closed after flooding in October.

"I loved being a part of Subway," Blume said. "I am very proud of the brand, and it will be hard to walk away. But I am also excited to spend more time with my grandchildren."

The planned closure come on the heels of an announcement Tuesday that 212 Grindhouse, formerly located at 212 E. State St. is closing.

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Marge Bevers, who co-owns the Richardson Building where the Subway is located, said she is sad to see Blume, who has been a model tenant, leave. Bevers said the Subway was a community gathering spot.

"I hope this isn't the beginning of a trend," Bevers said. "I am so sad for the community ... Hopefully, we will find someone new who will be good."

Jeff Kolkey: (815) 987-1374; jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Subway sandwich restaurant in downtown Rockford to close May 10