NewBo City Market opens the Market Hall for tour

Friends of the NewBo City Market-individuals who've purchased annual NewBo memberships for $50-will gather for an exclusive preview of the future Market Hall on Sunday, March 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the former Quality Chef warehouse at 12th Ave. and 3rd St. SE.

NewBo Friends will see the areas designated for permanent and seasonal venders and view the floor plan outline for the Kirkwood teaching kitchen, a 1,500-square-foot culinary center that will offer continuing education culinary courses at NewBo City Market. Board members will also speak about the latest developments for the NewBo City Market site. Construction is scheduled to begin in April.

The NewBo Friends tour is being hosted by City Seeders volunteers, an auxiliary volunteer organization for the NewBo City Market. The tour offers NewBo supporters who've purchased annual Friends memberships an exclusive glimpse of the Market Hall before construction begins.

“When you become a Friend to the NewBo City Market, you're helping the Market become a reality in Cedar Rapids,” says City Seeders President Lisa Rhatigan. Membership benefits include receiving discounts and special offers from vendors through the NewBo Dough benefit program, early admission on open days, invitations to members-only special events such as the NewBo Friends tour, advance notice about Market events and festivals, and an E-newsletter.

“The Friends organization will help fund operations-staffing, utilities, outreach programs, etc. The City Seeder's goal is to sign up 2,000 people as Friends of the NewBo City Market,” says Sarah Ordover, City Market board member.

To become a Friend, go to newbocitymarket.com and click on “Be a Friend”.  Once you fill out the form, you'll have the opportunity to pay via PayPal or credit card.

About City Seeders

City Seeders are working to help bring the NewBo City Market to fruition through grass-roots fundraising and by establishing the Friends of NewBo City Market member organization. City Seeders are currently selling ‘Friends' memberships at informational meetings and online at www.newbocitymarket.com.

“The City Seeders were formed by a group of women who are highly motivated to make the NewBo City Market a reality in Cedar Rapids,” says City Seeders President, Lisa Rhatigan. “Our first task is to get the community involved through membership in Friends of NewBo City Market.”

To get involved and become a City Seeder, send an email to 

Kristrovas@gmail.com. Learn more about the Friends of the NewBo City Market benefits at 

www.newbocitymarket.com, where you can join online.