Thirteen years ago, Brandy VandeWalle acted on a dream to make a well-known, historic property into her family’s home and place of business in Downtown Rock Island. She and her husband, John, transformed the former Wheelan-Pressley Funeral Home into Skeleton Key Art and Antiques, a one-of-a-kind shopping destination at 520 18th St. in the bones of this circa-1890 home.
So, what motivated Brandy to take this on? A creative, entrepreneurial spirit, dogged determination – and absolutely no fear of ghosts.
"My husband, John, and I spent years developing a business plan that wove together so many of the things we love – art, locally crafted goods, vintage and antiques," VandeWalle said. "We knew we wanted to be in Rock Island, and we envisioned a space much like what the Wheelan-Pressley Funeral Home had to offer: somewhere we could live upstairs, run a business downstairs host markets and have room to grow."
VandeWalle said her dream began to come to fruition when John, a metal sculptor, jokingly mentioned to Wheelan's owners that they'd like to buy the building someday. "Imagine our surprise when we got a call saying they were putting the building up for sale."
But at the time, they were parents of young children and the timing wasn't great.
Over the years, the couple kept in touch with the owners and ended up purchasing the building when their youngest went to kindergarten. "Somehow – miraculously – the building never sold. I like to say it waited for us," she said.
With 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, Skeleton Key now has 100 vendors, showcasing a unique collection of art, antiques, crafts, gift ideas and much more. And although it’s spacious, Skeleton Key is homey and inviting because VandeWalle makes it that way. "We've got some of the best neighbors, fellow business owners, supporters and shoppers right here in our downtown," she said, adding, "For anyone thinking about opening a business here, I would tell them we're 13 years in and wouldn't change a thing. Do it," she said.
Relationship building led VandeWalle to begin an outdoor Rock Island Artists’ Market, which celebrates its 10th season this year. Set up in the parking lot and yard right outside Skeleton Key, artists and makers show off their wares – from jewelry and clothing to pottery and paintings. The well-attended event that happens every second Sunday June through October brings neighbors, friends and families together to mix and mingle – and buy directly from regional artists.
"I live here, I work here and I want this place to thrive, not just survive. That means supporting other small businesses, sharing ideas, collaborating on events and being willing to put in the work even when there's no immediate payoff," VandeWalle said. "When a downtown feels healthy and connected, everybody wins. Collaboration over competition has always been my mindset because a strong, vibrant community lifts all of us."