New hours and rent relief to help NewBo City Market Shopkeepers

As a nonprofit business incubator, NewBo City Market encourages our Shopkeepers to each make decisions based on what they think will best affect the success of their individual businesses. We also encourage the cultivation of a strong business community that plants the seeds for shared success. After much feedback from our Shopkeepers, the NewBo City Market staff has come to the decision to close on Wednesdays, beginning July 8, 2020. This change is in response to the slowdown in customer traffic due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This means the Market's new hours will be Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "I'm so proud of our Shopkeepers and Market staff who have worked very hard to provide a safe place at the Market where patrons can feel comfortable coming out to support our small businesses," said Director of Market Operations Julie Parisi. "They need your help now more than ever. Keeping your dollars in the local economy helps continue to revitalize and grow our business community. At NewBo City Market, we are so appreciative of all the support the Cedar Rapids area has shown to our organization and small business owners who reside here." In order to help our Shopkeepers make up for the losses they faced during our months of shutdown during the pandemic, NewBo City Market has also implemented a rent relief program. "The Shopkeepers are proud to return to the Market during these remarkably challenging times," said Carol Elliot, owner of Aroma Artisan Pizza and Shopkeeper representative on the NewBo City Market Board of Directors. "We appreciate the leadership provided by the Market, and are so grateful for the recent rent relief and resources to support shopkeepers. Now, more than ever, it's critical to work together to succeed as a community." Business development support is one of our main goals as a non-profit business incubator. Every bit of support we provide for our Shopkeepers is made possible by our individual donors and generous sponsors. By donating any amount, or becoming a Friend of the Market, you can be a part of our Shopkeepers' support system and make an impact on economic development in our community.