Marion welcomes new businesses

Uptown Marion continues to expand as it gains four new local businesses to their downtown area.

MJ's Restaurant and Treasure Chest Collectibles will be opening their doors to the community in the coming weeks. Two other business, Running Wild and ReAlive, are already open to customers.

'The uptown area is going to put us in a more shopper friendly area,” said Bryan Dolezal, co-owner of Treasure Chest Collectibles with his wife Ruthie. Dolezal said Treasure Chest Collectibles, which sells modern to vintage items, has been located in downtown Cedar Rapids. However, the idea of more foot traffic from pedestrians looking to shop has brought the business to Marion, which will be open for business on July 1.

Nick Glew, program director for Uptown Marion, the official name of Marion's main street program, said that the lure of new businesses is a result of a recruitment process that works closely with new businesses.

'It's all very positive,” Glew explained, who said Uptown Marion works to group similar businesses to create an environment where shoppers move from one store to another while shopping in the area, working to benefit all of the local stores.

The coming businesses will add a diverse range of interests for shoppers.

Running Wild offers running specialty items, ReAlive a clothing and accessories shop, MJ's Restaurant adds another place for shoppers to grab a bite to eat and Treasure Chest Collectibles, which outside of its vintage items, also will have Toy Time that is geared to modern and collectible toys.

Glew said that the goal of Uptown Marion is to promote revitalization and growth to the area, meaning that new business additions for local and visiting consumers are always welcome.

Uptown Marion recently received a $1.2 million grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for redevelopment of older buildings in the area.