Save the Irish Rose Family

This message goes out to the many friends of the Irish Rose, and the customers who felt more like family...

You who spent lazy Sunday afternoons with a hot Irish coffee or an unforgettable bloody mary

You who miss sitting at your favorite table, or your favorite spot at the bar

You diehards who remember dancing to the live bands at the Old Rock River Cafe

You who always brought your guests here for dinner when they came in from out of town

You who framed photos of your friends to hang above the bar when they passed away

You who relished the pure entertainment of Mike's outrageous Facebook posts

You who lounged for hours on the sidewalk patio on hot summer nights

You who shared a joint with the waitresses in the shed out back

You who came in whenever you had a free evening, because it just felt like home

As many of you know, Mike Leifheit of the Irish Rose suffered an abrupt illness and hospitalization that forced the family to close their doors back in February of this year. They'd hoped that this shutdown could be temporary, but sadly, the nature of his illness has created significant hurdles that have delayed plans to reopen.

The Rose family is small, Robin and Drew are struggling through crippling financial challenges in the meantime. Drew has traveled back home to help take care of his parents and handle arrangements for the family business, so he's on extended, unpaid leave from work. Without the income from the restaurant, Robin is struggling to make ends meet too. In all honesty, they're unable to pay current upkeep of the restaurant along with hospital bills and the cost of longterm care. The Rose family is facing some very challenging decisions in this difficult time.

If you've known and loved The Rose in your life, please help the Rose family make it through this foggy and frightening time. Robin and Drew deeply appreciate the outpouring of support they've always felt from this beautiful, tough, kind-hearted community. They're working hard to make sure the legacy of the Irish Rose lives on in downtown Rockford, one way or another. Thank you all so much for everything.