Two downtown Belvidere restaurants permanently close

Two neighboring Buchanan Street eateries in Belvidere have closed.

The Shortline Sushi Bar posted the following Tuesday on Facebook:

"It is with a touch of sadness that we announce that we have made the decision to permanently close The Shortline Bar and The Firebox Restaurant & Pizzeria effective Aug. 15. It has been our joy to serve you and rest assured we are not going anywhere!"

More: Downtown Rockford restaurant closing its doors after 12 years

The restaurant owners own several other businesses in Belvidere, including Sips and Sprinkles, The Hidden Aerie, Dog Wash Systems Pet Park and a new car wash, Hood to Tail Car Wash and Pet Wash.

The Shortline opened in 2018 and offered a variety of items, including salads, crab rangoon, edamame, spring rolls, egg rolls, Bahn Mi sandwiches and several different kinds of sushi rolls.

The Firebox Restaurant & Pizzeria was Belvidere's first two-story eatery in Belvidere, according to the business' website. The restaurant offered several items, including salads, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, multiple types of macaroni and cheese and of course, pizza.

In its Facebook post, the business said they will offer the venue space in the former Firebox Restaurant & Pizzeria building as well as both on- and off-site catering services.

The restaurant owners thanked their customers in their post saying "Thank you for a fantastic five years."

Patrons quickly expressed gratitude for the businesses in the comment section.

"I worked there at Shortline," said Pamela Hostetler. "We had a great time. I even learned how to roll sushi. Sad to hear that you are closing."

Dean Chambers' Uniquely 815 Gifts & More store is across the street from the businesses. He said the closings caught him by surprise.

"A lot of times I didn't have parking out here because everybody was parking here and going over there," he said. "This is kind of a shocker."

Cooper Tobin of Big Jon's Dogs N' More, another Buchanan Street business, also was surprised to learn of the closing and was disappointed for the community.

"I think the more variety (of restaurants) we have the better," she said. "I was personally excited when we got a sushi restaurant in Belvidere. I love sushi. My daughter loves sushi. So it's just sad. It was our first sushi restaurant."

The restaurant did say gift cards for Shortline can be redeemed at Sips and Sprinkles.

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Belvidere's The Shortline Sushi Bar, The Firebox Restaurant are closed