11/27/2025
“That’s Charlie.”
I’ve only known Charlie for two years, but today felt like the right day to be thankful for him — and for people like him.
Charlie is a third-generation owner of Linos, but titles aside, he’s a person balancing what so many of us are balancing: family, friends, work, expectations… and the weight of building something meaningful. And honestly?
I think we all have a little “Charlie” in us.
That spark to create something.
That pull to grow something.
That restless mindset that follows you long after your day job ends.
Entrepreneurship takes a lot — mentally, physically, financially — and every dreamer needs someone who says, “Try it. Put it into play. See what happens.”
People like Charlie keep ideas alive.
Vintage Routes spent seven years building an idea and just over two years bringing it into the world — restoring hand-drawn maps, placing them on glasses, and teaming up with local businesses to create a community-focused collectible series. And lately, things have started to get really exciting.
We never would’ve made it this far without the people who took early chances on us: Ernie’s Midtown Pub, Prairie Street Brewing, Rockford Fire Department., and so many others.
The history behind these maps — hand-drawn in Rockford in the 1930s — still blows us away.
Today, we want to jump back to Charlie and the The Mercato by Lino’s.
While we’re balancing day jobs and building a passion project after hours, Charlie and his family gave us a home — a full retail space inside the Mercato, open seven days a week. It’s a huge deal for a small team like ours.
If you haven’t been, go.
The Mercato is decorated for Christmas in full vintage style (including a massive vintage Santa), and the Wine Walk on December 14 is the perfect excuse to enjoy the season: sample wines, grab sweets, sip Meg’s coffee, wander, and soak it all in.
As we head into our last week before switching to our Christmas display, here’s my simple request:
Share our posts. Tell your friends. Support local gift-giving. “Get Yours” for yourself or someone you love with a VR glass.
It’s still surreal that this started with old, weathered maps in a barn… and now they’re in kitchens, bars, offices, and family homes across the community.
In 2026 we’re focusing on business anniversaries, origin stories, and expanding the Vintage Routes series — and your support is what makes that possible.
If you want your business on a glass — or if you know someone who might — reach out to our website www.thevintageroutes.com Sometimes a simple introduction creates the next chapter.
We’re grateful for every business in our collection, every customer whose favorite glass is now a VR glass, every in-law who tries to steal one while "watching the grandkids" , and every business that took a chance on us.
But today, we’re especially grateful for the Charlies in your life — the encouragers, the steady voices, the believers.
Life is good and hard all at once.
But we love it. And we’re grateful to share it with you. Encourage one another, take a chance, dream a little, and maybe do it while sipping from a Vintage Routes glass..
Thank you for helping build Vintage Routes.
We can’t wait to see where 2026 takes this collection.
The Mercato by Lino’s
