Rob Stroud – October 13, 2023 [ JG-TC ]

Tammy Bell said she usually takes a long time to make business decisions but she and her husband, Brandon, needed just a few days to determine that they wanted to purchase the Roc’s Blackfront Tavern & Grill.

“It felt right to keep it local,” the Charleston resident said of this building at 410 Sixth St., where bars and/or restaurants have operated for more than 100 years just north of the courthouse square.

Tammy Bell added that her relatively quick decision also was inspired by her having known Roc’s previous owners, Mike and Diane Knoop, for a long time. This goes back to her working as a server at Roc’s in her early years in the service industry.

Mike Knoop later mentored the Bells as they got started as entrepreneurs. This included them purchasing another storied Charleston location, Ike’s Bar across from Eastern Illinois University, more than seven years ago.

“He has helped me a lot through the years in the bar and restaurant business,” Tammy Bell said. Her husband added, “We have some some big shoes to fill (at Roc’s.)”

Mike and Diane Knoop sold their building at 410 Sixth St. through TCI Realty, LLC of Charleston and retired as owners of Roc’s in late summer, after having operated this tavern and grill since the mid-1990s.

The Bells said they have eased into announcing their ownership of Roc’s to give them and their staff time to adjust to the change, particularly in the kitchen. Roc’s has been continuing to recover from COVID-19 era business closures and subsequently industry wide staffing shortages.

“The main thing for right now is to get the kitchen staff in there and get them used to the kitchen,” Tammy Bell said. Brandon Bell added that they have been fortunate to be able to retrain the bar’s veteran staff, “who have been the faces of Roc’s.”

“We will be expanding our menu, but we will be taking our time,” Tammy Bell said, adding that they appreciate the patience and support of their customers during this time of adjustment. She said Roc’s menu will be distinctly different than the food selection at Ike’s.

Brandon Bell said they are also working on maintenance needs, light refurbishing and equipment updates for this historic building. He said their goals include reopening the upper-level Top of the Roc’s venue for private parties in December.

Tammy and Brandon Bell each have long family histories in the Charleston business community. Her grandparents owned and operated the former Benedict’s Five & Dime store on the courthouse square. His parents owned and operated Bell’s Flower Corner, which is still open east of the square.

The Bells said they are committed to maintaining Roc’s Blackfront as a fixture in the community that current residents and former ones returning for visits can count on being open for years to come.   

“We want to make the Knoop family proud,” Tammy Bell said.