Roscoe businesses developing connections and support through newly reformed alliance

Roscoe businesses are developing stronger connections and additional support through the newly reformed Roscoe Business Alliance.

Katie Thomson, owner of Linkt Jewelry and the RBA’s Event Liaison, said, “There are so many amazing business owners here, and it felt like the right time to create something that is more unified that can help promote, collaborate, and advocate for growth within our local business community.”

“We officially began forming the alliance in July of 2025. Since that time, we have been focused on building a solid foundation, developing structure, working through bylaws, and expanding outreach to businesses within the Main Street area and beyond.”

At a special event held on April 12, Roscoe Village Trustee Michael Wright said, “I sat down with Jim Packard, a mentor of Wright’s and Gus Larson’s. He is the one who proposed the idea in the mid-1980s for Beloit 2002. A couple of people from that group are going to speak to this group to give thoughts or tips.”

Wright said, “Beloit 2000 is a 501(c)(3) that was raising money. They are at the point now where they are buying properties. They have done that well with their group.”

“The gazebo, the park, this group changed things, and yes, they changed it before Diane Hendricks came to town. Beloit wasn’t the fanciest place around.”

The group holds no disrespect for the Stateline Chamber of Commerce or Elev815.

Wright said, “I meet a lot with Senator Chesney, and he says, you really need a chamber and something that really supports local businesses.”

Wright added, “I am really big as are some of the other trustees on supporting small business.”

Wright told business owners, “Sometimes you are stepping out on a dry limb. We appreciate you doing business in Roscoe and staying here. Hopefully, this group can take care of some of the needs and the wants. The group isn’t going to be pinned down on one or two things.”

Grant writers are set up so that if this group wants specific items or to present ideas, they can raise money to pay for the grant.

“If the group wins the grant, everyone wins,” Wright said.

“It is all about the betterment of Roscoe. The goal is to make this place prettier, neater, cooler, whatever adjective you would like to use, we need people to come here.”

Wright said, “We can help to start this group and to nudge this group but we have to step away. We don’t want this group to be political."

“Hopefully this group forms and takes off on its own. That is not to say that the Village cannot support some of these things.”

Wright encouraged all of the business owners to talk, to become involved, and to share ideas.

“We need energy, go-getters, and ideas. We need some excitement.” Wright said. "We’re not just going to do things to do things, we want some thinking and some planning. We need to get started with that, it is all about you and doing something.”

Making up the Roscoe Business Alliance committee are leaders Ann Hankins and Ann Matuska of the Stateline YMCA, Rita Kaminsky from Snowdrift Coffee, Mike Prosser from Firehouse Pub and Orchard Farms Pavilion, Lindsey Stopa from Stillman Bank, and Brian Folz, co-owner of Poison Ivy Pub.

The Alliance has no dues to be paid. It is a not for profit group. Any Roscoe business interested in the alliance is welcome. The more, the merrier.

Collaborations, community events, and the sharing of ideas has already started.

Thompson and others have joined in collaboration under the name, “Babes on the Block,” made up of a core group of business owners from B. Elliotts Salon, Linkt Jewelry, Daisy Jean, and Party Like A Rockstar Balloon Bar.

Together, they are going to start organizing and having events.

Thompson adds, “At its core, the Roscoe Business Alliance exists to promote, preserve, and to enhance the local business community. We are still in the early stages but there has been a lot of positive movement and excitement surrounding what is to come.”

Wright recognized the business “Orchid Nails and Spa who is now 10 years old. We should be sharing that.”

He suggested that these things go onto an email chain.

Stacy Moore of Stateline Events hosts events and has many other jobs, including working for Life Balance Wellness. She said, “Seniors have expressed a need to find out where resources are. I created the Senior Living Expo that was held in Rockton, and we had about 40 seniors who came.”

The first community market was held on May 3 and continues twice a month on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Businesses will be setting up their tents, along with food trucks, from May until September.

Gus Larson said, “I applaud everybody in the room, having a communication, talking, and understanding with the business owners. You struck my heart when you mentioned about seniors. I am blessed to sit on the Stateline Mass Transit, we are the bus district. Transportation is important for everybody, especially our seniors.”

“We struggled with getting the stigmatism of the bus out of people’s mind. We are often relying on our own marketing.”

“I think the collaboration is very exciting. I love Roscoe. The quality of life has been awesome and we should keep that going.”

Moore said, “I can get vendors to show up to an event, and can get cars to come to a show, but finding a way to get the word out to the public is difficult.”

Another subject that came up was getting handicap parking in specific areas.

It was suggested that the alliance needs a dedicated website.

Kerry Frank, the owner of Hidden Creek Estates, hosted a meeting to map out future plans of the alliance on Wednesday, May 6 at at 6 p.m. She is Executive Director of Beloit 200, and will be giving tips, ideas, and guidance to the group.