QUINCY (WGEM) – Officials with the Great River Economic Development Foundation, Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, and The District are reporting that Adams County saw 47 new businesses open in 2025.
This number is a decrease by about 20 businesses from 2024.
GREDF Vice President Madison Peters said despite the decrease, she’s still happy with the number.
“The number does fluctuate, but we do not have a goal, we’re just happy with whatever number is out there in the number of businesses that are opening,” Peters told WGEM News.
2025 saw a bit of a mixed bag in the businesses that opened. Nationally known brands like Freddy’s Frozen Custard and R.P. Lumber came to Quincy, but small start-up businesses also represented the economy.
Mother-son business neighbors
About a year ago, Ross Bartlett and a friend came up with the idea of opening a rental shop for golf carts and e-bikes near Quincy University. Once made aware of the insurance cost, they pivoted.
Instead, the two came up with something centered around coffee, which they both enjoy. Today, Bartlett owns and operates Roost Coffee Co. on N. 18th Street.
“So far so good. It’s starting to stand on its feet finally,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett has about a half-dozen employees. He said he most enjoys the flexibility of being an entrepreneur, but it didn’t come without its challenges.
“We kind of jumped into it when a lot of price increases were going on, so really that was our biggest concern about if it’d ever take off the way we thought it would,” Bartlett said.
In the next room over, literally, is a new business that’s about to soft launch.
Bartlett’s mother, Brandy Waterkotte, is opening Table 18 Café and Catering. Waterkotte said she drew the inspiration from her son’s business.
When she saw the room next door to Roost Coffee was empty, she formed a vision.
“It was just a little nudge from God to continue my passion in food and catering and things like that that I’ve already been doing,” Waterkotte said.
Waterkotte said the space was essentially just four walls when she moved in. Having to install a complete kitchen and complete the design herself.
This is the first restaurant she’s owned.
“There’s days that have been so hard and I felt like giving up, but I just kept working through it, and with the help of family and God and friends, we’re there,” Waterkotte said.
She plans on serving panini, hot wraps, and having daily hot deals for things like philly cheesesteak mac n’ cheese bowls and loaded potatoes.
She most looks forward to meeting and serving new people.
Both Waterkotte and Bartlett suggest that anyone aspiring to open a business one day to plan ahead as much as possible.
Peters also suggests using the business start-up guide that was formed by GREDF, the QACC, and The District.
“It walks you through the process of opening a business,” Peters said. “It also has important community contacts and free resources available to you as a business owner.”
Peters said to contact GREDF or the chamber to get a start-up guide.
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