Jason Howard, owner of Raleigh’s Brooklyn Heights Bar (605 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, www.brooklynheightsbar.com) had no official connection to the nearby bar and restaurant, The Rockford (320 ½ Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh). A loyal patron, Howard ate lunch at The Rockford at least once a week and was among the masses who mourned the 15-year-old establishment’s closing in early April. Unlike those who called out for The Rockford’s reopening on venues like Facebook with a “Save the Rockford” group, Howard hollered in a different way. Two days after the restaurant’s close, he learned the name of former Rockford owner, Michael D’Amelio, parked in front of the space, and yelled D’Amelio’s name at a man who crossed the street. Lucky for Howard, it was D’Amelio who turned around. The two sat down and talked. And as a result, The Rockford reopened last Tuesday, June 22, under the direction of Howard and two other business partners.
Though the menu has been pared slightly (don’t worry, the beloved ABC—apple, bacon, cheddar sandwich—remains), Howard says the restaurant and bar will stay true to the original Rockford’s offerings and feel. “We want to imitate what they did, learn from it, and if at all possible, make it better,” he explains. The space is open for lunch between 11:30 am until 2:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. For dinner, hours are 5:30 pm until 10:00 pm, Sunday through Wednesday, and 5:30 pm until 10:30 pm, Thursday through Saturday. The bar opens at 5:00 pm every day.
