Renaissance Rock Island celebrated ten new businesses opening downtown on Thursday, April 17 with a ribbon cutting event.
Businesses such as the ones inside Be Well on 16 1/2 street, who all came together under one roof to support each other through their openings and bring more daytime businesses into Rock Island.
"I feel that before, that Rock Island and the District was really known for its festivals and nightlife, but now I'm really starting to see a change where people can come down and go shopping or get a massage," said Dr. Sarah Sterling, owner of new business Purple Tree Chiropractic. "Our goal is to keep it hopping day and night."
The new businesses also help the older ones as well. Mama Compton's has been in Rock Island for three years and workers say they are excited to see new businesses coming in.
"The more people that we get to come downtown, the more business we do. When visitors come to town, and they want to stay downtown, they come in and eat. You get people to move downtown, they come in and eat," said Charles Knudsen, who works at Mama Compton's.
In addition to the new businesses and services becoming moving into the downtown area, new retail space is available as well.