CEDAR RAPIDS – Three businesses have signed leases in the commercial spaces on the first floor of the recently restored CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids.
The businesses are a coffeehouse, a book store and a photography studio. The will move into space created as part of a 16-month, $8 million renovation and expansion project that followed the June 2008 flood, which destroyed the first floor of CSPS.
The new businesses join the offices of CSPS parent organization Legion Arts; C Space, a multi-purpose performance space; and the Arts Incubator, set to launch this spring, on the building’s first floor.
Two of the businesses already are established elsewhere. Brewed Awakenings Coffeehouse will open its second shop there. It’s first is at 1271 First Ave. E. The CSPS Hall location will expand offerings to include native wines and micro-brew beers. It is expected to open May 1 and employ 12 people.
Owners Richard and Nancy Marsceau, Josh Marsceau and Heather Younker said they have enjoyed a great relationship with Legion Arts over the past eight years selling tickets and advertising events, and wanted to continue that relationship more directly.
StudioU Photography, has operated out of Iowa City for the past 10 years. The CSPS location will be the first brick-and-mortar location for the business, operated by Troy and Heidi Eiffert. The business is now open by appointment.
The couple learned of the CSPS Hall and the New Bohemia area during last year’s New Bo Music Festival and have been looking for a retail space in the neighborhood ever since.
“The creative environment, culture and events in this area are constant inspirations to us,” Mr. Eiffert said. “We’re looking forward to being a part of a growing, developing community.”
The third business is New Bo Books, owned and operated by Mary Ann Peters of Cedar Rapids. The business will work in partnership with Iowa City’s Prairie Lights Books.
“We are looking forward to sharing and co-creating author events, book programming, special orders and all the things that go into the life of a thriving book store,” Ms. Peters said in a press release.
New Bo Books is expected to open May 1 and is expected to employ three people.
“The emerging neighborhood is just calling for a bookstore as it becomes the hub for the local buy, eat and DIY movement,” said Ms. Peters. “New Bo Books’ storefront will be right across from NewBo Market and next to Brewed Awakenings, making it a terrific area to live or to hangout for an afternoon or weekend.”
Legion Arts Executive Director F. John Herbert said, “CSPS Hall has been bringing culture, entertainment and business to this neighborhood for 120 years. The three businesses are a great fit with that tradition, and we’re looking forward to a long and happy partnership with each of them.”
The CSPS Hall project was funded by a $4.8 million I-JOBS grant and funds raised locally from The Hall-Perrine Foundation, the City of Cedar Rapids, Rockwell Collins, CRST, AEGON, The Gazette Foundation, Linn County as well as other businesses and individuals.
