The Rockford City experiment

Rockford, United States

In public spaces

Two women sit on a sidewalk hopper bench talking with a young man on a skateboard, while another pair sits on a second bench farther down the street beside parked cars and brick storefronts.

In 2021, the town of Rockford, Michigan closed part of its main street for a few months to create a public gathering space. After seeing how the main street quickly became a bustling place for families and friends, boosting local businesses as well, the city has made a long-term investment in (tools for) togetherness by placing Hopper benches along the walkways to bring people together in the public space.

Three friends sit on a long wooden hopper bench outside a storefront, raising cocktails in a toast.

Hopper to the rescue

The unique feature of the Hopper bench is its versatility. The backrest also serves as a tabletop. You can easily enjoy a picnic or an ice cream while watching passersby, but it’s just as perfect for reading a book or working on your laptop. With room for 3-5 people, this bench encourages people to connect with one another. Its generous length ensures everyone has enough personal space to sit comfortably, guaranteeing a conversation will spark!

Two colorful historic storefronts on a small-town main street, with two modern benches placed along the brick sidewalk.
Family of four seated at a long hopper bench outside a black-painted storefront, with the children eating ice cream while the adults hold drinks.

Traffic-free zone

Rockford is a small city in the northern state of Michigan with about 6,000 residents. The experiment demonstrated that even in smaller towns, making streets car free can have significant benefits. Previously, this was thought to only apply to larger cities often crowded with tourists. But the opposite proved true: local businesses thrived, and the town became a lively hub once again. People rediscovered a place to meet and connect—a much-needed antidote in an increasingly individualistic society.

At Extremis, we believe that social connection is key to happiness. Initiatives like these make the world a little brighter, and we’re proud to support them.

Three friends sit on a sidewalk hopper bench beneath a vintage neon sign reading ‘Beer to go, Wine, Hot Dogs, Liquor’ on the corner building behind them.
Two empty hopper benches line a brick sidewalk beneath a neon corner-store sign, with flower planters and a lamppost along the street.
Wide view of Rockford’s main street showing historic storefronts, pedestrians, and several people sitting or eating on hopper benches along the sidewalk.

© Pictures by Leigh Ann Cobb

Featured products

Hopper bench

Hopper bench with wooden seat and tabletop on a galvanized steel frame