Brick & Motor Boutique opens in new storefront

A downtown Rock Island boutique is being called a “work of love.” Now, that work – and lots of shopping – can get done in a permanent retail storefront. Brick & Motor Boutique opens to the public for the first time – in its new location – from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March […]

A downtown Rock Island boutique is being called a “work of love.” Now, that work – and lots of shopping – can get done in a permanent retail storefront. Brick & Motor Boutique opens to the public for the first time – in its new location – from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 4, at 1629 Second Ave. The opening day follows a re-grand opening ceremony held Thursday, March 2, which featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, cake and champagne for dozens of visitors from the business community and Rock Island city staff. 

During the ceremony, Rock Island Alderman Jenni Swanson thanked the business owners for helping spark new life into the downtown area, and called the business a “fairy tale story.” “This is really a work of love,” added Liz Murray Tallman, vice president of development for the Development Association of Rock Island (DARI). The business, describes itself on its website, as a trendy, affordable fashion boutique offering women’s clothing, original designs by Haley Walker, candles, purses, bags, coats, jewelry, accessories, and so much more. Some of the other items for sale include dried floral vases, a small pillow with the phrase “Stop and smell the roses,” and a coffee cup with the phrase “Was cool once, but now I’m a tiny person’s snack b - - - -.” “We’ve had so many people tell us they are glad we stayed in Rock Island. That’s good to hear,” said Haley Walker, who, along with her sister, Lauren Corwin, own Brick & Motor Boutique. “We’re both very excited to see downtown Rock Island grow.” Ms. Walker said some of the best-selling items include cardigan sweaters in the store, and custom-made necklaces sold on the boutique’s online store. She adds that new merchandise is constantly being added to the boutique’s inventory. The sisters are now looking at “colorful, bright items for spring.”

The boutique has actually been in business for more than five years. In July 2018, the sisters launched their business as a “mobile” boutique, operating out of a trailer. The pair would travel around the region to events such as farmers markets, community events, university pop-up shops and more. In November of that year, DARI reached out to offer a storefront incubator space for the new entrepreneurs. Then in November of 2022, the two sisters partnered with DARI to have a pop-up location through the holidays. They did such good business in November and December that they wanted to make it their permanent retail store location. “The lease was signed and the ladies began working to make the larger store feel like home,” according to a news release. Ms. Walker said the store is run by the two sisters with the help of a couple of friends. The sisters still have the mobile boutique out at different locations during the spring through fall months. The new storefront’s hours will be noon to 4 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.