Annette Hutto grew up on the south side of Chicago, and majored in geology at Augustana College. During her junior year she came up with the idea to open a coffeehouse on the corner of 30th Street and 14th Avenue, near the campus in Rock Island. And in August 2009, she opened Cool Beanz, fell in love with the College Hill District, and has been a key to its revitalization.
She married her husband, Ian, an ICU nurse at Unity Point Trinity in Rock Island, and welcomed their first child, Lydia, born on February 3rd. Then came the pandemic.
She spoke with Jonathan Turner about her journey.
Annette Hutto, mother, wife, and small business owner, on her life during the pandemic. Cool Beanz continues curbside pickup for now and you can get information at the Cool Beanz website.
While not asking for donations, Hutto does encourage customers to donate $10 so Cool Beanz can provide free bags of coffee to first responders and hospitals in the area.
And we thank Jonathan Turner for helping us tell the stories of Quad Citizens affected by the pandemic.
