One of Zach Edwards’ fondest memories of growing up in Rock Island was shopping downtown with his grandmother in the 1980s.
“She liked to go to Woolworth’s and Walgreens before the malls took over,” he said. “I have great memories of those times. I still consider Rock Island to have the most walkable downtown in the Quad Cities. And it’s currently filled with incredible opportunity.”
Edwards is the new owner of Rock Island Brewing Company – affectionately known as RIBCO. And if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that nostalgia is definitely attached to the popular music venue that’s been a landmark downtown for nearly half a century.
“When I was looking around Downtown Rock Island during the recent renovation, I saw RIBCO and felt it was the heartbeat of downtown. To turn around the neighborhood, it had to remain,” he said.
Edwards has spruced up the space with fresh carpeting and revamped the always-popular menu with new burgers, sandwich options and appetizers. But the familiar green walls with the vintage posters (the lady with the umbrella), the mood (dimly lit), the bar (nostalgic in the best way) and the stage (awaiting the next big thing) – feel like the RIBCO that generations of music lovers have known for a lifetime.
On a recent spring evening, the front door was open, letting in the night air, and the energy was welcoming with music and friendly chatter. People of all ages were dancing to the band.
“My favorite thing is to stand behind the stage and look into the crowd, then glance up to the balcony to see everyone having a good time,” Edwards said. “That makes it all worth it.”
Edwards is excited for the future of downtown and has a vision for several other neighboring buildings, including the former Blue Cat Brewing Co., which is next on the list.
“I am interested in downtown revitalization and adaptive reuse projects,” he said, adding that he sees a new entertainment and hospitality area being created that doesn’t just revolve around Friday and Saturday nighttime business.
“In the next few years, I would like to see a place where people really like spending time. I can imagine downtown being a more complete neighborhood with restaurants, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs and retail shopping all week long.”