By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Bubble Hive is showcasing local artists this week as it celebrates 4/20 with displays tied into the upcoming ArtScene.
The downtown store, the second location for the Loves Park head shop and wellness center, is marking the unofficial marijuana holiday with sales, music, a food truck and work of several different artists.
The shop, located at 412 E. State St. next door to Wired Cafe, is focused on retail with Bubble Hive clothing and accessories and goods centered around marijuana and music culture. Part of the company’s goal in opening a downtown location was to embed itself into the local arts and culture scene.
“The whole anchor of coming down here was … to be right in the middle of the art and music stuff that goes on down here,” said Chris Hare, who co-owns the shop with Todd Cedarleaf. “We knew that we knew the right people and had the right chemistry with the scene to put it together.”
The original location, which will also have 4/20 specials, is at 7100 N. Alpine Road in Loves Park.
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The downtown store will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. For part of the day it will have music from DJ Billi Hendrixxx and Main Squeeze Vegan Food Truck will park out front.
Some of the art on display includes work from Roni Golan, owner of The Underground Art Gallery nearby at 418 E. State St., Chris Geebus, Ben Johnson, Z Studios 815 and Stuk One. There is also a special T-shirt made in collaboration with Rockford Art Deli.
The art will remain on display during this weekend’s Spring ArtScene. The biannual gallery walk is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
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“This is the perfect opportunity to launch our art thing with the Rockford Area Arts Council event to coincide with our 4/20,” Hare said. “We’re going to make it a whole weekend.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.