The Hard Rock Casino Rockford opens Thursday, Aug. 29 ending decades of anticipation. Local restaurants and hotels hope for a boost from the new flashy neighbor.

The facility has been preparing for the thousands of people expected to show up for the opening weekend, but so have the hotels and restaurants along State St. and Perryville Road.

Azul Rubi, Spider Suchi’s manager, says, “I think, generally, we are all excited for the casino to open. I think our biggest concern will be how demanding it really is. I want to say we are all well prepared; our neighbors are well prepared.”

Restaurants like Thunder Bay Grille and Spider Sushi put their focus on service and put changes on the back burner until they know what to expect.

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