By Tracy Jacks Brandy VandeWalle swears her business isn’t haunted, but I’m not buying it. There might not be poltergeists going bump in the night, but everywhere you turn inside Rock Island’s Skeleton Key Art & Antiques, you can see the...
Our downtown is filled with an eclectic mix of entrepreneurs who are following dreams and passions or carrying on a legacy that has lasted generations. While a lot of the hard work, long hours, and energy spent being pillars of the...
By Brian Krans Purists may shake their heads, claiming a true martini is made only with vodka or gin. But we feel the iconic martini glass— whether held by Julia Child or James Bond—deserved more of an artist’s perspective, like a...
By Tracy Jacks The latest arrival to the downtown Rock Island’s entertainment scene comes complete with all the bells and whistles, along with some beeps, bloops, plinks, plonks, and heroes on the half-shell. The Black Sheep is an arcade bar. It also...
By Ian Fox Taste Buds has teamed up to offer local artists and writers an opportunity to showcase their work in a sweet atmosphere. Get a taste of local art and literature while enjoying a taste of some delicious sweets and...
By Tracy Jacks If you think you have to live in a major city to be a fashionista, you’ve clearly never met Courtney Loftin. Courtney Loftin is the founder of The Gentry Boutique, downtown Rock Island’s home for fashion forward and...
By Tracy Jacks Rock Island loves its local artisans - and they love Rock Island, where their creativity is nurtured and valued. Our city is made even more special by the abundance of hand-crafted goods made right here. Some of that...