From furniture store to music hub: Davenport building to become Sound Factory – KWQC

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – A former furniture store in downtown Davenport is getting a new life—one centered around music, community and a long-held vision.
Keith Christ, who grew up in East Moline, is transforming the former Bruce’s New & Used Furniture building on West Fourth Street into what he calls the Sound Factory, a multi-use space that will include a record shop, café, live music venue and more.
Christ said the idea has been years in the making.
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to have a work-live place that I could have my music and do music … and also live there,” he said.
The four-story building will be developed in phases. On the first floor, Christ plans to open a vinyl record shop with high-end sound equipment and a café concept inspired by spaces he has seen overseas.
“I want to do what’s popular in Asia now — a vinyl café — where you can come in, have a coffee … and demo the record while you’re here,” he said.
Upstairs, the space will host live music and community events, along with short-term rentals. The basement will be converted into a nightclub — but without alcohol.
“The basement is going to be like a DJ nightclub, a dry place, no alcohol served,” Christ said. “I think it just creates a hostile atmosphere. I just want to do something positive for the community.”
Christ said his goal is to create a space that stays active throughout the day.
“I want to have things running as many hours as possible … different groups of people coming in throughout the day,” he said.
Christ has spent years in New York building a career around music, working as a DJ and record seller. At one point, he said, he owned more than 250,000 records, spanning genres from classical to rock to jazz.
He’s already brought thousands of records into the Davenport space, with tens of thousands more expected.
Christ said his decision to invest in the building was also influenced by changes planned for West Fourth Street, including converting it to a two-way street.
“When I found out … they were doing the two ways and putting all kinds of money into this area, I thought that was great,” he said. “It’ll slow traffic down. People drive way too fast right here. People will be able to park on both sides of the street more.”
He believes those changes will help attract more visitors and support business growth in the area.
Christ described the neighborhood as “up-and-coming” and sees potential for future development.
“I’ve traveled all over the world, and this area is really a gem, in my opinion,” he said. “But it definitely needs more activities.”
He said part of his goal is to help fill that gap, particularly for younger people and those interested in music and nightlife.
“There aren’t really … the nightlife is very limited here,” Christ said.
Christ hopes to have the first floor fully open by this summer, with the rest of the project continuing in phases.
For now, the Sound Factory is posting updates and operating hours on its Facebook page and will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday this week.
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