Roasters opens at a new location in Cedar Rapids’ NewBo neighborhood

New year, new location.

After moving out of their long-held space at NewBo City Market in January, Roasters is up and running at their new location in Cedar Rapids’ NewBo neighborhood, 1120 Second St. SE.

Amanda Steines, owner of Roasters, said the move was met by a “huge outpouring of community support.”

The locally owned cafe chain closed its location at the Downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library last July. After going through that process, Steines reflected on the NewBo City Market location, which opened with the market back in 2012.

“I think it just felt like time,” Steines said.

The new location is a short walk from the previous one — and that’s by design.

“We wanted to stay close because I love my regulars and I know they’re coming to us because it’s convenient for them,” Steines said. “I didn’t want to go far.”

It’s easy to see why Steines was drawn to the new shop. A warm stream of natural light pours through the large front windows. Located near the African American Museum of Iowa and just off the main drag of the NewBo neighborhood, it’s a cozy place to stop for a quick bite and drink. The space is decorated with plants, some of which were given to Steines by longtime customers.

Owner Amanda Steines carries a scone for a customer at Roasters, 1120 Second St. SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Steines moved out of NewBo City Market to open a standalone coffee shop nearby. Steines also has a Hiawatha location where there is a bean roaster. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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Amanda Finley (left) smiles as she helps Bill Harman with his order at Roasters, 1120 Second St. SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Owner Amanda Steines moved out of NewBo City Market to open a standalone coffee shop nearby. Steines also has a Hiawatha location where there is a bean roaster. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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A variety of roasted coffee beans available at Roasters, 1120 Second St. SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Owner Amanda Steines moved out of NewBo City Market to open a standalone coffee shop nearby. Steines also has a Hiawatha location where there is a bean roaster. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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Owner Amanda Steines talks to Brian Reynolds at Roasters, 1120 Second St. SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Steines moved out of NewBo City Market to open a standalone coffee shop nearby. Steines also has a Hiawatha location where there is a bean roaster. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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Bill Harman (left) moves his backgammon pieces as he plays with Marvin Koffron at Roasters, 1120 Second St. SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The two have been playing the game for over 40 years. Owner Amanda Steines moved out of NewBo City Market to open a standalone coffee shop nearby. Steines also has a Hiawatha location where there is a bean roaster. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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Amanda Finley (left) helps Denise Houlahan with her order at Roasters, 1120 Second St. SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Owner Amanda Steines moved out of NewBo City Market to open a standalone coffee shop nearby. Steines also has a Hiawatha location where there is a bean roaster. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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Steines described the move as “an intense period of problem solving” supported by creative friends.

“I have friends who are professional painters and people that woodwork as a a hobby, and so all this stuff was done with their incredible talents,” Steines said.

Uptown Coffee Company has become NewBo City Market’s new coffee vendor, although it occupies the space previously used by NewBo Beer and Wine. The bar has moved into the old Roasters location.

What’s on the menu?

“I think the thing that sets us apart is that we roast everything and we don’t sell anything that’s three weeks past the roast date, so it’s always going to be super, super fresh,” Steines said.

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The menu offers coffee from 15 different countries, and some coffees have multiple roasts available.

“Like the Mexico, we do medium and dark. We have Peru — we do super, super dark, just regular dark and then light,” Steines said. “So some of them we do three different ways.”

Blends are also available, though Steines said they have dropped out of popularity.

“(Blends have) been painted as like a way to mask lower quality coffees because if you blend, then you can balance out imperfections. Sometimes we blend it just because the coffees can complement each other really well.”

You’ll find at least one drink here you won’t find anywhere else: Raw coffee juice. It’s a creation customers have told Steines she needs to patent. Unroasted coffee beans are cold brewed and soaked with lemons to help extract caffeine and flavor. The drink is served cold with honey ginger flavoring made in-house.

Roasters makes a variety of flavorings, like star anise and an “elevated” gingerbread.

Not a coffee drinker? No problem. Smoothies are made with a coconut milk base although you can also order it with iced tea or raw coffee juice. Golden milk smoothies are a winter specialty made with turmeric, ginger, black pepper and cinnamon.

Grabbing a bite? Breakfast favorites like a bagel sandwich, quiche and keto bowl may satiate your hunger. The cafe also has baked goods — an offering that Steines is working to expand.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com