Another retailer opened a new store this afternoon in dowtown Rock Island. Owner Nichole Jones, the city, and Renaissance Rock Island held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for "The Artful Office." It's the fifth new business to open in the retail incubator, located in the 1700 block of 2nd Avenue.
Catherine Rogers-Engels, Executive Director of the Arts and Entertainment District, says the Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation owns the "Shoppes on 2nd" and the district manages it. Owners get a break on the rent for the first three years. Q-C Collective was the first tenant to move in last fall, and Rogers-Engels says the sixth, "Recommended Reading," is expected to open later this month.
The other new retailers in Rock Island are the Good Karma Shirt Company, Zola Gallery, and Vivian's Vintage Varieties. The Artful Office sells accessories for smartphones and tablets, paper, "re-purposed" products, and art prints. It will also hold classes about online selling and social media marketing.