"Newbo City Market's Expansion: A Boost for Local Businesses and Customers"
Expansion Highlights
The NewBo City Market has ambitious plans for its expansion. It aims to add a grocery store, an event stage, and additional space for shops. This will not only enhance the shopping experience for customers but also provide more opportunities for local vendors to thrive. With these additions, the market is set to become a hub of activity, open every day of the week and offering a wider range of offerings.
Alex Cooley, who helps run KC Cakes at Newbo City Market, has witnessed the growth of the market firsthand. "We started out with just a fridge, an oven, and a counter," he said. Three years ago, he began guest vending at the market and has since become one of many vendors to find success here. Now, he and his fiancé are preparing to open a restaurant and bakery, a testament to the market's potential.
Impact on Vendors and Customers
For the vendors, the expansion means more space and more opportunities. As Sarah Blais, the senior director of marketing operations at Newbo City Market, explains, "A small business that plants a seed here and grows eventually becomes the next 'almost famous.' This expansion will allow more local businesses to reach new heights and become a part of the economic development story of Cedar Rapids."
While the construction is underway, vendors may experience a temporary lull in activity. However, Cooley is confident that the boost to business afterwards will be well worth it. "Whenever that expansion hits in, I feel like we'll take a slight dip, but as soon as it opens up, I feel like the more people coming by is gonna help us out a lot."
Blais also reassures customers that the market will remain open during construction. The work is set to start in a few months and is scheduled to be finished before the end of 2025. This ensures that customers can continue to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings of the Newbo City Market while it undergoes its transformation.