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The Granary Coffee House & Brewery ‘crafts’ are boosting QC economy

August 30, 2022
Picture outside the Granary Coffee House & Brewery during ribbon cutting

Since opening in May, The Granary Coffee House & Brewery has stood true to its mission, providing the QC with a unique destination offering all things craft.

Owner Salvador Castaneda purchased the building and land at 219 N. 1st St., Eldridge, as an investment. But this serial entrepreneur, who has a background in real estate, decided instead to comingle his passion for an excellent cup of coffee, great food and craft brewing into a business. Uncommon, yes. But very strategic.

Castaneda believed by offering each specialty, the space would be a destination for customers throughout the day. “A coffee shop is busy during the morning and a brewery is busy in the evening,” and he didn’t want the building sitting idle at any time. “I know it takes time for a business to get going and you usually have to fund it for two or three years until it is established. I set The Granary up this way with the goal of making a profit year one, and we are on track to do that,” he said.

It is an entrepreneurial success story and one for the QC region, too. The Granary Coffee House & Brewery created more than seven jobs and is expected to have a $559,483 annual economic impact on our six-county region.

Castaneda’s craft mission extends to a menu of homemade sandwiches and breakfast items. He enjoys teaching his staff – which this summer included many first-job high school students – the art behind creating a perfect cup of coffee and customer service while earning an above-average wage. “I like to support people and help them grow, too,” he said.

Castaneda said the Quad Cities Chamber team listened and talked through his business plan, provided market research tools and connected him with other expert partners, including the Small Business Development Center and USDA. The City of Eldridge and North Scott Chamber of Commerce was also very helpful in getting his business established. “I was provided a wealth of resources and connections, and it helped me make an informed decision,” he said.