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Shop Local in the QC

As you go about checking people off your gift list, don’t forget about shopping local this holiday season.  By shopping local, you’ll find hand-picked items and you keep more dollars in the local community.  And if you love to online shop, scope out their websites to buy local online.  The Quad Cities has plenty of local places to indulge in a bit of QC retail therapy.

If you have people who are hard to shop for, try one of these gift stores that have a wide variety of choices.

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The Market is a curated collection of 40 makers, crafters and curators from the Quad Cities region.  It feels like shopping online with Etsy but in person.  Locations in downtown Moline, Illinois, and LeClaire, Iowa, have different vendors so you’ll want to visit both. www.themarketajourneytojoy.com

Allied Barber & Supply in downtown Davenport, Iowa, is self-described as having “blue-collar goods”. Owner Russell Maidlow makes his own soap and body care products. He also carries clothing, kitchen, and home goods. Make a reservation to create your own candle.  And you can reorder your perfect scented candle anytime. https://alliedbarber.com/

WaterMark Corners is a mother-daughter-owned gift store in the heart of historic downtown Moline, Illinois.  They specialize in hand-curated items that are innovative, intriguing & inspiring.  You’ll find clothing, gifts for men and women, kid toys, tech gadgets, and more. https://watermarkcorners.com/

Crafted QC is a retail gift shop in Davenport, Iowa, featuring handcrafted and local goods.  In addition to locally made products, you’ll find many of Quad Cities branded items like clothing, pillows, magnets, home goods, and more. www.craftedqc.com/

The Artsy Bookworm in Rock Island, Ill., sells more than just new and used books.  They offer original art, toys, gifts, and yarn. https://theartsybookworm.com

If you want to give a one-of-a-kind item, several places in the Quad Cities that offer the truly unique.

Abernathy’s in downtown Davenport, Iowa, specializes in vintage clothing for men and women, vintage reproduction clothing, handmade jewelry and accessories, antiques, and oddities. https://shopabernathys.com/

Trash Can Annie specializes in vintage clothing, styling, and photography in downtown Davenport, Iowa. www.trashcanannie.com

What a Gem has an ever-changing, curated mix of vintage and modern items through What a Gem’s pop-up style shop in Downtown Davenport, Iowa.  New items will be put out each week leading up to the holidays. They’re open every Saturday up to December 20. www.shopwhatagem.com

Ragged Records is a Record Store and Music store all in one. They carry new & used vinyl, CDs, cassette tapes, and more at their locations in Davenport and Rock Island. www.raggedrecords.org/

The John Deere Store in downtown Moline, Ill., next to the John Deere Pavilion, is your one-stop shop for all things Deere. The latest clothes, hats, gadgets, and replicas are waiting to make the perfect gift. https://shop.deere.com

If you or someone you know loves LEGO® products, check out The Brick House in Moline, Ill. The shop is small in size but mighty in variety and fun. There are loads of LEGO® sets, minifigures and pieces to dig through and admire. www.thebrickhouseqc.com/

Handmade items can be a great way to match someone’s personality in a gift.  These locally-made items are the way to go.

Wild Cherry Spoon Co. hand carves spoons, kitchenware, and other one-of-a-kind pieces. They are artisan made from local, urban lumber. Shop online at https://wildcherryspoonco.com/ or by appointment in Moline, Ill.

Splash is a company in downtown Moline, Ill., that works to help you relax, rejuvenate, and pamper yourself.  Using essential and fragrance oils, they sell locally handmade bath bombs, shower bombs, soaps, lip balm, essential oil roll-ons and more. https://splashbombs.square.site/

Buttercupp Candles makes hand poured, 100% soy, scented candles with fun, fresh scents.  They have stores in Moline, Ill.; LeClaire, Iowa; and stocked at stores throughout the Quad Cities.  You can also create your own candle at their stores.  www.buttercuppcandles.com

Isabel Bloom carries sculptures designed by Isabel Bloom’s mentee Donna Young using the same technique Isabel Bloom developed.  As you browse the many sculptures, you will understand how Isabel Bloom sculptures communicate a feeling, a thought, a sentiment, or even share a memory with a loved one. The store is in Davenport, and products are also carried at other retailers. www.ibloom.com

At Dot's Pots, artists Dorothy “Dot” Beach-Lawrence and her husband, Dan Lawrence, create functional and whimsical pottery at their shop in Moline, Illinois. Using wheel-thrown, hand and slab-built techniques and microwave-safe glazes, they make one-of-a-kind pieces for the home and garden. Find them on Facebook at Dot’s Pots.

Skeleton Key Art & Antiques in Rock Island, Ill., has more than antiques.  They feature hand crafted items there also such as string art, jewelry, bath products, and more. www.skeletonkeyqc.com

For the fashion-forward friend or family member in your life, select some clothes that reflect their personal style at one of these local boutique shops in the QC.

Brick and Motor Boutique is a trendy, affordable fashion boutique, owned & operated by sisters in downtown Rock Island, Ill. www.brickandmotorboutique.com/

Red’s Threads is an athleisure boutique in Bettendorf, Iowa, that is locally & woman-owned featuring Athletic and Leisure Apparel for Him & Her. www.redsthreadsqc.com/

Theo & Co. is a men's boutique and barbershop in Downtown Davenport, Iowa. www.theoandcoshop.com/

Big T Wear Big & Tall in downtown Rock Island, Ill., offers contemporary clothing options for the hard to fit guys, plus hats & accessories. www.bigteewear.com/

The Clothing Co. in LeClaire, Iowa, carries a curated collection of 14 small businesses specializing in women’s clothing and accessories.

Other options include:

A gift for the home can provide that special touch with the extra-special reminder of who it came from.  Find great items at these QC stores.

Bela is a kitchen décor store on the Mississippi River in LeClaire, Iowa.  www.belaleclaire.com/

The Primitive Willow is a colonial & primitive home décor store with boutique offerings in downtown Moline, Ill. www.theprimitivewillow.com/

Urban Farmhouse is self-described as a “little store with a big heart” in Moline and Geneseo, Illinois. You’ll find items for the home as well as items for yourself. https://theufbrand.com/

Other options include:

Get more information about shopping in the Quad Cities.

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