Brewing Up Faith, Family and Community Impact
By Jonathan Turner
Loan Product: Small Business Loan
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It’s safe to say that the goodies at Wholly Grinds Coffee Shop are heavenly. Brewed with love, determination and selflessness, the business was co-founded by Rev. Darryl Thompson and his wife Kimberly Callaway-Thompson, and born out of a shared vision to create economic opportunity in a historically underserved area. The Thompsons, leaders of the neighboring church, House of Fire Ministries, saw potential in a strip mall that had been vacant for years.
Darryl and Kimberly met with Brian Hollenback in 2010 when they acquired the property, and began talking about its redevelopment – which is comprised of a strip mall and nearby building, which now houses Wholly Grinds Coffee Shop, at 2409 11th St., Suite B, in Rock Island, Ill. Since acquiring the property, the Thompsons have been determined to bring new life to the 11th Street corridor on the west side of the city. “My wife and I came with a vision, creating jobs here,” Thompson says, noting House of Fire started next door in 2010, in a former Walgreens. “There was nothing on this specific corridor that provides healthy smoothies and made-to-order specialty coffee, and it’s a food desert,” he says. “We wanted to create economic development, create jobs.” The coffee shop building had been a former dining room for the Chopsticks Chinese restaurant on the other side, and major renovations (including a patio) started in January 2022. The business opened that November thanks to a small business loan provided by Bridge Investment. Wholly Grinds offers a variety of iced and hot coffee drinks, energy drinks, tea, smoothies, sandwiches and pastries. Entrepreneurial family effort The shop is a true family endeavor with Thompson’s son Darryl Bibbs, and daughter Dylaan, playing pivotal roles in the day-to-day operations. “Hardly anyone ever used the (Chinese Chopsticks) dining room,” says Wholly Grinds co-founder Darryl Bibbs, noting the site was originally the first McDonald’s in the area. He primarily runs the business with Dylaan. Bibbs, who has a background in business management and entrepreneurship from Southern Illinois University, left a successful 11-year career at John Deere to pursue his passion for a new business and self-employment. He developed the business plan for Wholly Grinds and is responsible for the shop’s unique branding and customer experience. Bibbs emphasizes their singular menu items, noting that it’s the only independent coffee shop in that area of Rock Island. The business name reflects coffee grinds, with the second word an acronym for “Get ready, it’s a new day, start strong,” he says. |
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Dylaan, who studied hospitality and tourism management at Southern Illinois, also left a corporate role as a national merchandising advertising representative, to bring her expertise in customer service, hiring and staff training to Wholly Grinds. “We’re really known for our service; that’s something I am passionate about,” she says.
Together, the siblings strive to create a warm space where employees and customer like feel valued and inspired. “That does translate – when you do it that way, you don’t have to say it. It just comes out naturally,” Dylaan says. “Our parents told us growing up, going to school, walking out the door, to ‘Be a leader,’ always,” she recalls. “That’s what we consider ourselves to be doing here and that’s what we teach and train our staff.
“Leaders are kind, leaders are empathetic, leaders listen, leaders make sure they always put their best foot forward, so that’s what we try to teach,” she says. Their mother Kimberly handles the business books and payroll.
Lifting up a distressed area
Bridge Investment’s primary mission is to provide CDFI lending to support affordable housing and small business initiatives within distressed areas that produce critical jobs and add amenities that aid the area’s revitalization.
The Thompsons’ vision aligned perfectly with Bridge Investment goals, by creating a hub of economic activity, job creation, and also brewing up a place that brings people together. The Thompsons secured a small business loan from Bridge, which spurred Wholly Grinds to go from vision to reality, Darryl Thompson says. “With any small business, financing is the greatest challenge,” he says. “We had the property, we had the traffic counts, we had the vision, and we had the manpower. The financing was the hardest part.”
Darryl Bibbs encourages experimentation among his employees, like specialty drinks. One of his favorite coffee drinks is called “Delightful Dulce,” made with salted caramel and dulce de leche. He inspires his staff to come up with new products. “We set out with the mindset of being creative, innovative,” Bibbs says, inspired by Deere. “Once that ball got rolling, it activates whatever that part of the brain is,” he says, “I also foster an environment, an atmosphere from the staff – everything you see on the summer menu, that came from the staff, it didn’t come from me.” The most popular dish is the waffle sandwich – made with two liege waffles, choice of turkey bacon or sausage, eggs, and slices of cheddar and provolone. “It’s unique to us,” he says. “One thing I encourage of my employees, a lot of them are young, is to learn how to make things.” The Peoria distributor for their coffee beans suggested that Bibbs try their waffles, and he came up with the Wholly Waffle sandwich.
African-American role models
“What can I do that’s not just an imitation?” Bibbs says. When he was a junior at Rock Island High School, Bibbs worked at Rexie’s Gourmet House in downtown Rock Island. “Being an African-American male, I got go see an older African-American couple be in the ownership position,” he says of their restaurant. “Me just seeing them, showed me it was something that can be done. They were so well-liked. They would host politicians, holding fundraisers.”
“They were always committed to quality and excellence,” he says.
The shop displays a large photo of the downtown Chicago skyline as an homage to the hometown of the Thompsons.
While the family’s strong faith is evident in their leadership style (and business name), they emphasize that Wholly Grinds is open to all, regardless of belief. “We make it a big point to make sure people know that. We don’t want anyone to feel alienated,” Dylaan says.
They both dreamed of running a business of their own. “That entrepreneurial spirit was definitely birthed and bred growing up,” she adds.
Darryl Bibbs has spoken about starting his business to a Junior Achievement class at Rock Island High School, and says being an entrepreneur mainly to be your own boss is not the end goal.
This selfless philosophy of serving others before oneself is central to the family’s approach to running Wholly Grinds and is reflected in their efforts to uplift Rock Island and the surrounding community. “You need to be passionate; it needs to be something you are providers of the world,” he says, putting the priority on serving others. The boss needs to be paid last, eat last, served last, Darryl says. “For a long time, you might get paid the least. Are you ready to do that, to sacrifice,” he asks. “I’m very big in telling people that.”
When Thompson told his kids to be leaders, he wanted them to have character, integrity and lead by example. It’s vital to show other Black young people that they can be role models as Black business owners, Thompson says. “Everything has to be done by example – modeling for other people,” he says. “He taught us growing up that a leader knows the way, grows the way and shows the way,” Dylaan says.
Supporting the community
Wholly Grinds, therefore, isn’t just about making great coffee – it’s also helping make a great community. Darryl Bibbs enjoys making an impact on his hometown and they’re committed to giving back by creating jobs, offering discounts to local teachers, students, healthcare workers, first responders, veterans and active military, and fostering a safe, welcoming space for everyone, including youth in the area. “I was surprised how quickly it happened,” he says of Wholly Grinds. “People can come here and meet their kids after school.”
“It’s hard to put into words what that means,” Bibbs says. “I appreciate and admire how he talks to the youth, when they come in here and whether they purchase something or not,” Dylaan says of her brother. “He allows them to have a safe place to wait for parents or the bus. Even if you can’t purchase something, we want the children and youth of the community to know they’re safe here and he’ll impart wisdom to them, they get to know him as a man and a business owner.”
They offer 10% discounts for teachers, students, public health and safety workers (police and fire), active military and veterans. “All those are people that I really appreciate what they do and I feel they’re under-appreciated and underpaid for what their value is to society,” Darryl Bibbs says. “My dad is always telling people who work in health care and education, ‘Thank you for your service’,” Dylaan says. “We appreciate it. They always say, ‘We’re not used to hearing that’.” Wholly Grinds offers points for all sales – after 10 points, you get $4 off an order, and people can bank them, without an expiration date.
Their drive-thru lane is popular, and Wholly Grounds is close to the high school, hospital and health department.
With the shop, Dylaan is most proud of the connections they’ve made with the community. “That’s been invaluable,” she says. “You see people every day, you get to know them and build connections…We see a lot of our former classmates come and support us. That probably is the biggest reward I have to say.”
It’s not so hard competing against the cornucopia of coffee places in the Quad Cities. “We’re in a niche of our own, so we have something in a lot of different ways that others don’t have,” Dylaan says. “One of the biggest challenges at first for us, was building the confidence and knowing we have something good.” Wholly Grinds continues to grow, expanding into new markets such as the Freight House Farmers’ Market in Davenport, where they debuted in 2024. Their success demonstrates the power of family, faith, and community-focused entrepreneurship, and serves as a model for how small businesses can lead the way in revitalizing neighborhoods.
The partnership between Wholly Grinds and Bridge Investment is a perfect, delicious example of the CDFI mission of improving the fortunes of distressed communities by supporting small businesses.
For more information, visit www.whollygrinds.com/.
Together, the siblings strive to create a warm space where employees and customer like feel valued and inspired. “That does translate – when you do it that way, you don’t have to say it. It just comes out naturally,” Dylaan says. “Our parents told us growing up, going to school, walking out the door, to ‘Be a leader,’ always,” she recalls. “That’s what we consider ourselves to be doing here and that’s what we teach and train our staff.
“Leaders are kind, leaders are empathetic, leaders listen, leaders make sure they always put their best foot forward, so that’s what we try to teach,” she says. Their mother Kimberly handles the business books and payroll.
Lifting up a distressed area
Bridge Investment’s primary mission is to provide CDFI lending to support affordable housing and small business initiatives within distressed areas that produce critical jobs and add amenities that aid the area’s revitalization.
The Thompsons’ vision aligned perfectly with Bridge Investment goals, by creating a hub of economic activity, job creation, and also brewing up a place that brings people together. The Thompsons secured a small business loan from Bridge, which spurred Wholly Grinds to go from vision to reality, Darryl Thompson says. “With any small business, financing is the greatest challenge,” he says. “We had the property, we had the traffic counts, we had the vision, and we had the manpower. The financing was the hardest part.”
Darryl Bibbs encourages experimentation among his employees, like specialty drinks. One of his favorite coffee drinks is called “Delightful Dulce,” made with salted caramel and dulce de leche. He inspires his staff to come up with new products. “We set out with the mindset of being creative, innovative,” Bibbs says, inspired by Deere. “Once that ball got rolling, it activates whatever that part of the brain is,” he says, “I also foster an environment, an atmosphere from the staff – everything you see on the summer menu, that came from the staff, it didn’t come from me.” The most popular dish is the waffle sandwich – made with two liege waffles, choice of turkey bacon or sausage, eggs, and slices of cheddar and provolone. “It’s unique to us,” he says. “One thing I encourage of my employees, a lot of them are young, is to learn how to make things.” The Peoria distributor for their coffee beans suggested that Bibbs try their waffles, and he came up with the Wholly Waffle sandwich.
African-American role models
“What can I do that’s not just an imitation?” Bibbs says. When he was a junior at Rock Island High School, Bibbs worked at Rexie’s Gourmet House in downtown Rock Island. “Being an African-American male, I got go see an older African-American couple be in the ownership position,” he says of their restaurant. “Me just seeing them, showed me it was something that can be done. They were so well-liked. They would host politicians, holding fundraisers.”
“They were always committed to quality and excellence,” he says.
The shop displays a large photo of the downtown Chicago skyline as an homage to the hometown of the Thompsons.
While the family’s strong faith is evident in their leadership style (and business name), they emphasize that Wholly Grinds is open to all, regardless of belief. “We make it a big point to make sure people know that. We don’t want anyone to feel alienated,” Dylaan says.
They both dreamed of running a business of their own. “That entrepreneurial spirit was definitely birthed and bred growing up,” she adds.
Darryl Bibbs has spoken about starting his business to a Junior Achievement class at Rock Island High School, and says being an entrepreneur mainly to be your own boss is not the end goal.
This selfless philosophy of serving others before oneself is central to the family’s approach to running Wholly Grinds and is reflected in their efforts to uplift Rock Island and the surrounding community. “You need to be passionate; it needs to be something you are providers of the world,” he says, putting the priority on serving others. The boss needs to be paid last, eat last, served last, Darryl says. “For a long time, you might get paid the least. Are you ready to do that, to sacrifice,” he asks. “I’m very big in telling people that.”
When Thompson told his kids to be leaders, he wanted them to have character, integrity and lead by example. It’s vital to show other Black young people that they can be role models as Black business owners, Thompson says. “Everything has to be done by example – modeling for other people,” he says. “He taught us growing up that a leader knows the way, grows the way and shows the way,” Dylaan says.
Supporting the community
Wholly Grinds, therefore, isn’t just about making great coffee – it’s also helping make a great community. Darryl Bibbs enjoys making an impact on his hometown and they’re committed to giving back by creating jobs, offering discounts to local teachers, students, healthcare workers, first responders, veterans and active military, and fostering a safe, welcoming space for everyone, including youth in the area. “I was surprised how quickly it happened,” he says of Wholly Grinds. “People can come here and meet their kids after school.”
“It’s hard to put into words what that means,” Bibbs says. “I appreciate and admire how he talks to the youth, when they come in here and whether they purchase something or not,” Dylaan says of her brother. “He allows them to have a safe place to wait for parents or the bus. Even if you can’t purchase something, we want the children and youth of the community to know they’re safe here and he’ll impart wisdom to them, they get to know him as a man and a business owner.”
They offer 10% discounts for teachers, students, public health and safety workers (police and fire), active military and veterans. “All those are people that I really appreciate what they do and I feel they’re under-appreciated and underpaid for what their value is to society,” Darryl Bibbs says. “My dad is always telling people who work in health care and education, ‘Thank you for your service’,” Dylaan says. “We appreciate it. They always say, ‘We’re not used to hearing that’.” Wholly Grinds offers points for all sales – after 10 points, you get $4 off an order, and people can bank them, without an expiration date.
Their drive-thru lane is popular, and Wholly Grounds is close to the high school, hospital and health department.
With the shop, Dylaan is most proud of the connections they’ve made with the community. “That’s been invaluable,” she says. “You see people every day, you get to know them and build connections…We see a lot of our former classmates come and support us. That probably is the biggest reward I have to say.”
It’s not so hard competing against the cornucopia of coffee places in the Quad Cities. “We’re in a niche of our own, so we have something in a lot of different ways that others don’t have,” Dylaan says. “One of the biggest challenges at first for us, was building the confidence and knowing we have something good.” Wholly Grinds continues to grow, expanding into new markets such as the Freight House Farmers’ Market in Davenport, where they debuted in 2024. Their success demonstrates the power of family, faith, and community-focused entrepreneurship, and serves as a model for how small businesses can lead the way in revitalizing neighborhoods.
The partnership between Wholly Grinds and Bridge Investment is a perfect, delicious example of the CDFI mission of improving the fortunes of distressed communities by supporting small businesses.
For more information, visit www.whollygrinds.com/.
“Right now, there’s not a lot of food places to eat down here in the west end,” Holmes says, noting the 2024 closure of Hy-Vee on Rockingham. “Talk about ice cream? There’s none.”
