We've got some good news... and some bad news to share. There have recently been some restaurant openings, as well as closures here in the Corridor. Let's start with the good news: OPENINGS!

Saj Grill

You may be surprised to hear that Saj Grill at 23 South Dubuque Street in Iowa City actually opened back in April. I certainly was! The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the restaurant "opened quietly" this spring in the former home of Which Wich.

Although it's only been open a few months, Saj Grill is already getting lots of positive attention! It has a 4.7-star rating on Google with a total of 124 reviews. The restaurant's website says they serve "traditional Middle Eastern fare including shawarma, falafel, and kebabs." Other menu items include bowls, baba ganoush, Greek salad, gyro cheeseburgers, baklava, dolmah, and Dubai chocolate. Check out the full menu online HERE.

Saj Grill is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.

NewBo City Market

Back in late June, NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids revealed that not one, but TWO new eateries would be moving in this summer! Both of those new shops are now open, and we have details about each:

Nechus

The first of the new eateries to open at NewBo was Nechus, which offers a "flavorful lineup of South American dishes" including "arepas, empanadas, tequeños, patacón, salchipapas, cachapas, and more…" The began serving customers inside the market back on July 5th.

According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Nechus is owned by Bianca Valles, Vanessa Valles, and Juan Madrid, who have actually lived in Colombia and Ecuador, and they use family recipes for their dishes. You can check out the official menu below:

Nechus inside of NewBo City Market is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bread and Buttered Bakery

The other new eatery inside of NewBo City Market is called Bread and Buttered Bakery, which just opened on July 16th. Owned by Amber and Nikki, the bakery specializes in homemade sourdough and focaccia bread, as well as sweets like cinnamon rolls, cookies, and muffins. You can check out their menu HERE.

Bread and Buttered Bakery is also open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also find them at local farmers markets.

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And now, we move on to the bad news...

Molly's Cupcakes

According to the Corridor Business Journal, Molly’s Cupcakes at 14 South Clinton Street in Iowa City made a surprising announcement on social media on July 11th. The shop will be closing its doors next month after 13 years in business. The post reads:

"Like many small businesses, we’ve faced mounting challenges in today’s economy, and while this chapter is ending, we know the memories (and sugar rushes) will live on."

The good news is that customers will still be able to enjoy Molly's Cupcakes for a little bit longer. Their final day in business will be August 10th. If you have a gift card, Molly's encourages you to use it soon, otherwise you can use it at the shop at 215 East 3rd Street in Des Moines. Check out all 14 additional Molly's Cupcake locations that are still open HERE.

El Taco Feliz

And finally, our last closure to report is for El Taco Feliz at 1500 20th St SW in Cedar Rapids. According to their Facebook page, El Taco Feliz officially made the transition from food truck into restaurant in December of 2023, but after less than two years, they are closing down for good. The post reads:

"...today Tuesday July 1st we close the doors of our business, it was a difficult decision, but thinking about our family it was the best decision, and thank you for the opportunity, Cedar Rapids we carry you in our hearts, thanks to those who worked with us day by day, my best wishes to all."

The announcement from the restaurant also notes that "not many knew of our existence," which might have something to do with their location. They were in the former home of the Olive Tree Restaurant, which was on the side of a building towards the back of a parking lot. Olive Tree is now located nearby at 2925 Williams Pkwy SW in Cedar Rapids.