It may not be an official historic landmark, but John’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in Rockford has been a mainstay in the city since the 1970s. The popular eatery is celebrating its 50th year in business this month. John’s started in 1974 as a takeout place near the corner of 11th Street and Harrison Avenue. Five years later, it moved to its current location at 2914 11th St.

“When I was at the little place over there, I had people come in, and the little menu that I had over there, pizza was $3 for a large cheese and sausage,” said owner John Frisella. A native of Sambuca, Sicily, Frisella says although food is the foundation of his operation, the people who he’s served it to all these years are why he’s still in business.