QC, that’s where we support our small businesses

QC, that’s where entrepreneurs enrich us with their innovation and inventive imagination. It is where small business owners invest – dollars, as well as lots of heart & soul – into our region’s success. And it is where we reciprocate by investing in them, too.

QC, that’s where we support our small businesses and embrace all who seek to achieve a great goal and a great life. We are a family of communities who stand behind our entrepreneurs because we believe dreams and ideas should always become reality.

“After moving away for 25 years I came back to the QC and saw some opportunities that I had seen in other parts of the U.S.,” said Kim Martin, Owner, QC FUEL. She launched her first location in 2017, two more in 2019 and recently a fourth. “When I opened I wanted to become THE Quad Cities staple for coffee, smoothies and energy drinks like Hobo is for sandwiches and Harris is to pizza,” she said. “We have had local support from the start and each time we opened a new location we had immediate and positive response from the public.”

QC, that’s where we appreciate small business inspiration, creativity and flair – whether it’s a coffee, craft spirt or brew.

“It makes us so happy to know that people are proud to bring their out of town guests to the distillery. The experience our customers have here is one that we know keeps them coming back for more,” said Ryan Burchett, Owner, Mississippi River Distilling Company.

The distillery opened in 2010 and quickly became the destination for locals and visitors to tour and sample craft spirits carefully made from grains purchased from farmers in the region. The business has evolved and grown over the past 12 years, and now includes a full cocktail bar, a Celebration Center event venue, and it recently opened a bottling facility and hip cocktail lounge.

“It's so critical to have a home base of customers that support local businesses. Making a conscious decision to keep it local not only helps the business, but all the people it employs which only multiplies the dollars spent throughout the community,” Burchett added.

Since day 1 the QC has supported what Wake Brewing is doing within the craft beer scene, said Co-Owner Jason Parris. Wake curates a unique bar-side experience that encourages socializing with friends and strangers sitting nearby. “We are proud to be here in the mix with all the other great local breweries and we feel our customers feel the same way. From our outside events, beer-tappings and fundraisers for charities, the QC area has always shown us nothing but support,” Parris said.

QC, that’s where we discover unique, hand-picked and one-of-a-kind delights on store shelves in historic districts and historic buildings in our riverfront downtowns. “The fact that we are still in business after 23 years is a testament to the support of the Quad Cities community. Very few small businesses survive that long, especially independent gift stores,” said Amy Trimble, Owner, WaterMark Corners & The Corner Bar at WaterMark.

“We have grown quite a bit over the years,” said Brandy VandeWalle, Owner, Skeleton Key Art and Antiques. The boutique sells a variety of locally made products and quality antiques and has garnered a following since it opened in 2013. “Our goal is to keep growing, refining and there might be another location added in the future,” she said.

QC, that’s where we put our money where our community is, embracing the movement and the power of doing business local. It is where we Keep It QC by supporting storefronts and boutiques, farmer markets and craft breweries, web developers and architects. It’s where what we grow and build and create, and the services we provide, strengthen our regional economy as they are purchased by our QC neighbors, businesses, coworkers and friends.