New Life for Historic Rock Island Building - FOX 18 - Quad Cities News and Weather

It is a piece of Rock Island history, with a whole new lease on life.

In the past year, the old Hymans furniture store building in downtown Rock Island has been transformed into a one-stop wedding shop.

Now called the Stern Center, the old sales floor has become a ball room, and the mezzanine has become a lounge for cocktail hour.

Meanwhile, the second floor is being filled with wedding vendors.

Avenue Studios, a photography and videography business, was the first to move in. A linen company is also on the way.

The owner of the Stern Center, Michel Stern, says there is nothing else like this in the Quad Cities, and he is just happy the historic building is being put to good use:

"There are too many empty buildings down here that are historically beautiful, this was McCabes furniture back in the late 1800's and it was the furniture at the time - I have sense of pride in Rock Island and building onto this building once again and making it viable and a place of interest makes me feel wonderful," he said.

Stern said the venue is already booked every Saturday but one for this year, with weddings and other special events, like fundraisers.