QCBJ Newsmakers: Isabel Bloom crafts gifts with ‘meaning’

This story is part of the QCBJ’s Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up from the staff of the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal includes some of the biggest stories we brought you in 2023. It's also a tradition by our parent company, Corridor Media Group, based in North Liberty, Iowa. This story was originally published in February 2023.

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Lori Hayward of Cobden, Illinois, gets emotional when she talks about her Isabel Bloom sculptures. “You know they put love into them. These weren’t made by machines. They sign them…. This is something the community has embraced,” said Ms. Hayward, a former Quad Cities resident who was back in Davenport on Friday, Feb. 17, to help Isabel Bloom celebrate a special event – 60 years in business. Isabel Bloom – the company that makes unique sculptures handcrafted in the Quad Cities – marked that anniversary with special events and tours at the Isabel Bloom Tour Center and Showroom, located at 736 Federal St., Davenport. The Quad Cities Chamber presented company officials with a special plaque to honor Isabel Bloom’s 60 years in business. Also, birthday cake was served throughout the day on Monday, Feb. 20, commemorating what would have been founder Isabel Bloom’s 115th birthday. During Friday’s celebration, a banner stating “Cheers to 60 years” greeted visitors who praised the company for its work and creations over the years. “Most people I know have something of Isabel Bloom in their homes. … This is a Davenport thing. This is a Quad Cities thing,” said Davenport Mayor Mike Matson during Friday's celebration. The mayor added that Isabel Bloom sculptures can be found in many corners of the country and world. That’s because visitors always seem to get Isabel Bloom gifts when they visit the region. “This is just so iconic. …  I pray for another 60 years of Isabel Bloom,” he said. Donna Young, Isabel Bloom co-owner and artist, said it has been an honor to do business in the Quad Cities because “we get to be a part of everybody’s lives.” The four-day celebration included door prizes, special promotions, free shipping as well as a sneak peek at new 2023 designs. On Friday, there was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Isabel Bloom store in West Des Moines’ Valley Junction district at 116 Fifth St. While Isabel Bloom officials are honoring its West Des Moines store, they say don’t expect any additional stores in the near future. (In the past few years, Isabel Bloom has closed its stores at NorthPark Mall in Davenport, the Village of East Davenport and downtown Moline.) Ms. Young said she has no plans to open or reopen other locations, adding that the company’s current location on Federal Street – combined with its showroom and manufacturing facilities – is a perfect fit for its customers. “It’s so special to have a store where you can see products being made,” she added. During the celebration, many customers, business and community members got the chance to look over a showroom filled with all things Isabel Bloom. Sculptures included angels, pelicans, rabbits, butterflies, owls, fish and gnomes – lots of gnomes holding four-leaf clovers, flowers, carrots and many other things. Ms. Young said the bestselling items often change with the seasons. For instance, Isabel Bloom hearts were big sellers around Valentine’s Day. Now, many customers are looking for Easter-related items. “Right now, it’s all bunnies and eggs,” she added. She also hopes owls will soon be top-selling items. In honor of the company’s 60th anniversary,  a limited edition “Anniversary Owl” has been introduced. The company is also working on new creations that will be introduced next year and in 2025. But Ms. Young wouldn’t give any hints. “Let’s just say, they’re in the works,” she said. Isabel Bloom fans have their own favorite works of Bloom art. For instance, Ms. Hayward said her current favorite Isabel Bloom is the “Frog Prince” sculpture that depicts a frog wearing a crown and with big red lips. (Her nickname for the sculpture is “Lips.”) She estimated she has about 30 Isabel Bloom items, but says she might have a lot more. The Illinois woman added that while she still loves the “Frog Prince,” she is also adding some of those many gnomes to her list of favorites. “I’m really getting into the gnomes right now,” said Ms. Hayward.

NEWSMAKERS UPDATE

Isabel Bloom gets ready for another big year

Isabel Bloom – the company that makes unique sculptures in the Quad Cities – has been celebrating for much of 2023. The year has marked its 60th year in business. The company has ushered in the year with a wide variety of celebrations, special offers and special sculptures. It has been the year of “Cheers to 60 Years,” according to the company slogan for many of those activities. Company officials hope those cheers will continue into 2024. “We are still finalizing our line-up of new sculpture designs for next year.  We think customers will be delighted with our offerings,” said Donna Young, Isabel Bloom co-owner and artist. Ms. Young added that new designs for 2024 will be introduced throughout the year, based on the season, and gift-giving occasions. But before the 2024 new designs start hitting the market, Ms. Young added that she is particularly proud that her daughter, Emma Dengler, recently designed a sculpture for the company. That sculpture, called “Cozy Gnome,” is now on the market. Even with the big celebration and new designs, in some ways these have been challenging times for Isabel Bloom – the company founded by its namesake in 1963 in the Village of East Davenport.  “Our retail sales continue to be impacted by the challenging economy and are down this year compared to last year,” Ms. Young told the QCBJ. “However, we have seen some improvement in sales in the last quarter and are hopeful for a strong holiday season.”   — Dave Thompson