The (Skeleton) Key To Great Local Shopping Is In Downtown Rock Island
Looking to unlock some great values and find some one-of-a-kind treasures in the Quad-Cities?
Check out the Skeleton Key.
The cozy, quaint shop at 520 18th St. in Rock Island welcomes you immediately with its quirky charm, and its giant green key. Walking into the ornate castle-like building, you’re immediately greeted by a world of artistic and crafty wonder, boasting a variety of cool, unique items from artisans from around the Quad-Cities.
The shop was opened three years ago by Brandy Clark VandeWalle and her husband, John. “We wanted to do this for a very long time,” Brandy said. “We’re very proud of the accomplishment of being here three years, it’s been a lot of work and at times a struggle. For a good part of the year the road was closed, so our traffic was down, but we keep on managing to stay alive and keep going!”
Skeleton Key is a vendor mall, which rents out space to various artists and businesspeople for their arts, crafts, antiques and other unique items. There are about 65 vendors currently renting out space and they still have some room for others. Vendors pay just $20 a month in rental and a 10 percent commission to Skeleton Key.
“I see us as bringing a lot of new blood, energy and creative spirit to the downtown,” VandeWalle said. “I like our blend of artists and items. I like that we have a lot of different things and our customers love that about us. You can come in looking for antiques and end up leaving with a painting or another unique work of art you fall in love with.”
The market for antiques is always changing and has done so quite a bit in the last 15-20 years, she said.
“It’s gone from people looking at antiques as an investment to people collecting them to decorate their homes and for the pleasure of having beautiful things in their lives,” she said. “People like coming here because they’re going to find things they’re never going to find anywhere else.”
For the past two years, Skeleton Key has also offered an outdoor farmers’ market and artists’ market during the spring and summer months. “Overall, that’s done really well,” VandeWalle said. “Obviously, it slows down in the fall. When football starts up, there isn’t as much traffic. But we keep doing it Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. in the parking lot.”
In addition to the shop’s regular hours and the farmers and artists market, Skeleton Key has another big event coming up – an all day spectacular Nov. 26 for Small Business Saturday. They’ll be doing a Gallery Hop style event with a raffle, entertainment, refreshments and more.
“It’s going to be a great day for people to come out and get some early Christmas shopping done,” VandeWalle said.
And this year and in years to come, the area will continue to have a gift that keeps on giving in Skeleton Key.
“I love being in this business,” VandeWalle said. “I love being around so many great creative people and being surrounded by such beautiful art.”
For more information on the venue, see https://www.facebook.com/SkeletonKeyArtAndAntiques/?fref=ts.
