Vibrant branch in Bettendorf will add coffeehouse, kitchen

Vibrant is brewing up some changes with plans to convert its Bettendorf branch into a combination credit union branch and Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen – a new retail model it first launched last fall in Moline. Beginning Friday, June 1, Vibrant will temporarily close its 5,000-square-foot branch at 3230 Ridge Pointe, Bettendorf, to undergo renovations. […]

Vibrant is brewing up some changes with plans to convert its Bettendorf branch into a combination credit union branch and Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen – a new retail model it first launched last fall in Moline.

Beginning Friday, June 1, Vibrant will temporarily close its 5,000-square-foot branch at 3230 Ridge Pointe, Bettendorf, to undergo renovations. The remodel will convert the space from a traditional branch into a second location for Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen, the credit union announced in a Thursday, May 18, news release.  The work will be completed by Downing Construction. The project’s cost is not yet available.  While credit unions and coffee may sound like an unusual combination, for Vibrant’s leadership, they’re a natural progression.  “Those regular in-person interactions we all once had with our banks have become few and far between,” Vibrant President and CEO Matt McCombs said in the release. “To keep those relationships strong, Vibrant has reimagined what a branch can be and is flipping the script in the communities we serve.”  Last October, Vibrant expanded beyond its traditional financial services when it opened its first Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen at its newly renovated headquarters at 6600 44th Ave., in the former Sam’s Club. Vibrant said the new coffeehouse venture also is expanding to its Des Moines market with more locations to come, but did not identify where. 

The coffeehouse, which is open to the public, was among several outside-the-box ideas that Vibrant introduced at its headquarters in the former Sam’s Club in Moline in the spring of 2022. At that time, Mr. McCombs told the QCBJ the goal for the new headquarters – complete with a full-size basketball court, Lockbox Bar, and eventually the coffeehouse – was to foster an environment that creates a world-class culture generating high-performance results.  It also builds on Vibrant’s culture and dedication to providing member service through a surprisingly different experience. “At Vibrant, we live this value each and every day,” he said in a QCBJ interview last year.   Now with more than 55,000 members nationwide, Vibrant has added five other wholly owned subsidiaries, or Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSO), including ones engaged in the insurance and title business, property management, software development and now the coffeehouse.   “The financial services industry is changing pretty rapidly,” Mr. McCombs told the QCBJ previously. All the new business lines create new avenues for “how we engage customers outside of banking.”  The new Bettendorf location is expected to be open by the end of 2023. The coffeehouse initially is expected to hire 30 new employees including a manager, assistant manager, crew lead and crew members when it opens.  Like its Moline location, the coffeehouse will be open to the public. Vibrant members will have an added benefit – a 20% discount on all food and beverage orders when they pay with their Vibrant card.  “Most of the time, we’ll just be your favorite place to grab coffee and a quick meal, catch up on work, or hang out with friends,” Mr. McCombs said in the release. “But when you need help with your financial goals, we're here for you.”  At Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen, in-house dining and drive-thru offerings include: 

• A wide variety of beverages from house-roasted espressos and refreshing hand-mixed energy drinks to hot and iced teas, chai, and smoothies. 
• All-day gourmet breakfast options and a wide array of lunch items with sandwiches, soups, and salads to enjoy. 
• House-roasted, locally produced coffee beans so you can experience your favorite brews at home. 
• A curated collection of one-of-a-kind apparel and gifts from local artisans and suppliers. 

While the Bettendorf branch is closed, members have multiple banking options available as well as locations including the Moline headquarters, where they can have face-to-face consultations with Vibrant bankers, from a smartphone or tablet device, Vibrant said. For more information on Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen, visit here.