A Leaf Filter representative talks about the benefits of his company’s gutter protection system on Friday, Feb. 17, at the 2023 Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association Home Show at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Bob Brooks was looking for a home generator and flooring materials. Others in the crowd were looking for grills, lawnmowers, windows, water softeners and more. “It’s pretty nice here. But I know this place. I’ve been to gun shows here,” the Davenport man said Friday, Feb. 17, during the 2023 Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers […]
Bob Brooks was looking for a home generator and flooring materials. Others in the crowd were looking for grills, lawnmowers, windows, water softeners and more.“It’s pretty nice here. But I know this place. I’ve been to gun shows here,” the Davenport man said Friday, Feb. 17, during the 2023 Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association (QCBR) Home Show at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds at 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport.Jeff Lanum, owner of the Electric Doctor in Bettendorf, gives a presentation on Friday, Feb. 17, at the 2023 Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association Home Show at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSONThe show, which was held Friday-Sunday, Feb. 17-19, started a new chapter this year along with around 120 vendors who were showing off products and services. After many years of being held at the Expo Center in Rock Island, this was the first year the show was held in two buildings – the Fair Center and Iowa Building – at the fairgrounds.The new venue was a hit for visitors the QCBJ talked to.“This is a new shot of life for the show,” said Griffin Holden, a territory manager for Culligan Water of the Quad Cities, one of the show’s vendors. “I’ve been busy since the show started. That’s the complete opposite from the past few years. This has been fun.”Diane Schreiner, retail manager of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, is pictured with items on display at her store’s booth at the 2023 Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association Home Show at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSONMr. Holden, who has been showing off Culligan Water products at Home Shows for six years, added that he was very happy with the crowds early Friday afternoon.Show organizers also said they were happy with the crowds, which were expected to be in the thousands.“Oh, it’s nuts. We had people lining up at the doors. We had people trying to get in at (10 a.m.) today,” Mona Peiffer, executive officer of the Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association (QCBR) said on Friday. The show opened its doors at noon.Other vendors were also happy with the crowds and the new home.“It’s light. It’s bright. It’s warm. … As for this whole two-building thing, we’ll see how that works out,” said Diane Schreiner, retail manager of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, as she watched hundreds of people walk through the Fair Center building during the opening hours of the show on Friday.Visitors look over student-built benches up for silent auction at the 2023 Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association Home Show at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSONOn the other side of the building, Suzy Schindler of Epic Stone of Davenport was working her 33rd Home Show. She called the move a “good change”.Ms. Schindler added that one of her top goals of the weekend was to get the word out about the great qualities of the various stone products offered by Epic Stone. She said that is vital in order to counter the misinformation spread about stone products made by home improvement TV shows over the years. “Sometimes I hear what they say about stone and I want to throw my shoe at the TV,” she added.Many other companies and agencies were also using the show to get information to potential customers. Other displays included:
Home Improvement Innovations had a photo gallery showing various home projects.
Eldridge Lumberyard set up a kitchen display near the show’s front doors.
Grand Appliance and TV had stoves, dryers, refrigerators and other items on display
AE Outdoor Power had people looking forward to spring with a display of riding lawn mowers.
Seventeen benches made by local high school students were sold during a silent auction. The money raised goes back to the schools to help the student trades programs and fund QCBR scholarships. The benches were on display during the weekend show. Each bench wore this sign: “Please be careful when sitting on me. I may not be sanded smoothly and I don’t want you to snag your clothes or get a splinter.”
Jeff Lanum, owner of the Electric Doctor in Bettendorf, gave a presentation on picking the right contractor for your home project.
The show’s presenting sponsors were Electric Doctor and Fanth-Curry Home Improvement Co. Other sponsors include CBI Bank & Trust and Eldridge Lumberyard.One of the more unique displays at the show was presented by Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which sells various items that have been donated. All the items displayed in the ReStore’s Home Show display – lights, mirrors, a fireplace and a velvet painting of Elvis Presley – were donated to the store.Ms. Schreiner said while many people are aware of Habitat for Humanity’s work, there are still people in the community who don’t know about the work of the ReStore, which is located at 3629 Mississippi Ave., Davenport. She wanted to use the Home Show to show people they can get many items for their home projects at the store.“People who come in the store for lumber might not know we have a velvet Elvis painting for them,” she said with a laugh.
