The Copper Lantern Opens New Rockford Event Venue

Owners Shawn and Libbey Cox have transformed the former Rockford Lithuanian Club building into a new event space.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Screen-print poster illustration depicting a sunlit historic event hall interior with hardwood floors and wainscoting, evoking a venue renovation. — Owners Shawn and Libbey Cox have opened The Copper Lantern, a new event venue located in the historic former Lithuanian Club in Rockford. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Copper Lantern officially debuted its new event venue in Rockford following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The space is housed in the historic building that previously served as the Rockford Lithuanian Club.

Why it matters

This opening marks the repurposing of a structure constructed in 1953 that sat vacant after the Lithuanian Club closed last year. The project serves as a revitalization effort for the local property on Indiana Ave.

The new venue at 716 Indiana Ave. offers a capacity of 205 guests with tables or up to 400 in an open-floor configuration. The renovation project for the 1953-era building spanned seven months.

The players

Shawn Cox

Shawn Cox is an owner and developer of The Copper Lantern event space.

Libbey Cox

Libbey Cox is an owner and developer of The Copper Lantern event space.

The details

Owners Shawn and Libbey Cox spent seven months renovating the building to prepare it for events. Upgrades included refinishing the original dance floor, installing new flooring, remodeling the bathrooms, and adding decorative wainscoting.

The building located at 716 Indiana Ave. was originally constructed in 1953.
The Rockford Lithuanian Club officially ceased operations in October 2025.
The Copper Lantern held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 15, 2026.

Market Landscape

This project follows the industry trend of repurposing decommissioned fraternal buildings for modern commercial event use. It signals a move toward refreshing older local infrastructure to meet current demand for gathering spaces.

Local residents looking for event hosting options now have access to a newly renovated space in the neighborhood. The venue offers flexible seating arrangements to accommodate different sizes of gatherings.

The takeaway

The transformation of the former Rockford Lithuanian Club highlights how local owners can preserve historic structures while creating new economic utility. Prospective hosts should consider venue capacity layouts when planning events to ensure the space fits their specific needs.