Quad Citizens Behind the Businesses: Jane & Matt Magers

On the corner of 2nd and Perry streets in downtown Davenport sits a historic building (circa 1879!) and within it a longtime family-owned business. Major Art & Hobby Center has been a staple in downtown since 1954! Originally called Tri-City Hobby, then-employee Tom Magers purchased the shop with his parents, Gladys and Kermit Magers, when the previous owner retired. Today the business is owned and operated by Tom’s children, Jane and Matt.

We love strolling into this shop, watching customers’ eyes light up as they set their sight on something unique on the shelf that they can tinker with at home. Hobbies are good for the soul, and whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else, a great gift can be found here.
 

Best known for:
A variety of hobby supplies from Radio-Controlled cars, trucks and planes to plastic model kits and model railroading supplies. They also provide custom picture framing services for residential and commercial customers.

What do they love most about being downtown?
“Downtown Davenport has always been our home through the good times and bad. Being centrally located in the Quad Cities is also a plus, as we have customers from all over the area. We could not see Major Art & Hobby being anywhere else.”

What is the best way you can support this business?
They are here to serve customers in whatever way you are comfortable. Major Art & Hobby provides both curbside pickup and shipment services. You’re also welcome to shop the store as you normally would. The owners just ask that you take extra precautions to protect yourself and others. The pride and excellent customer service Jane and Matt provide is hard to match. We are proud and grateful to have this longstanding business downtown.

About the Downtown Front Porch Project:

The Downtown Front Porch project is a way to get to know the humans behind the businesses in downtown Davenport. Featuring more than 40 organizations, the images and stories that will be shared are reflective of the energy, passion and resilience of the people that make downtown tick.

“As we all try to navigate a global pandemic, finding ways to connect with our neighbors is more important than ever,” stated Kyle Carter, Executive Director of DDP. “With a year of cancelled events and less foot traffic on the streets, it’s critical that we spend our dollars locally to support the people in our own community. Small, locally-owned businesses are at the center of what makes downtown a special place. This campaign is an opportunity to show the faces of hard-working Quad Citizens and ways the community can rally to support them.”

The goal of the Downtown Front Porch project is to remind people that downtown is vibrant, welcoming and open for business.