Chew on this: Expansions, closings and more restaurant news in the Corridor

Rustic hearth

Rustic Hearth Bakery has closed at NewBo City Market. It is relocating to 3531 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, the former home of French restaurant L'Auberge. Owners don't have an official opening date in the new location yet but posted on Facebook that they are aiming for May 9.

Pinoy Cafe and Melting Bite

In other NewBo City Market news, market vendors Pinoy Cafe and Melting Bite are expanding. Melting Bite, which serves Indian street food, moved into a larger space in the market last month and now has a larger menu to match. Purveyor of Filipino cuisine, Pinoy Cafe, plans a similar move soon.

get fresh

Yet another NewBo City Market business also has news - owners of the juice vendor Get Fresh announced they will open a second location at 109 Iowa Ave., Iowa City. No opening date yet, but stay tuned.

Groundswell Cafe

Frontier Co-op has partnered with local nonprofit Matthew 25's Groundswell Cafe as the cafe's new presenting sponsor. Groundswell Cafe, 201 Third Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, is a 'pay-it-forward” restaurant where guests can round up a bill or make a donation to help pay for a meal for someone in need. Anyone in need can order off the menu at no cost. The sponsorship includes a $30,000 grant from Norway-based Frontier's Simply Organic Project Fund, which will support the cafe and Matthew 25's Cultivate Hope food education program. The cafe is introducing new menu items in celebration of the partnership.

WOMEN IN HOSPITALITY SOUGHT

The Iowa Restaurant Association will recognize 40 women in Iowa's hospitality industry for their creativity, leadership and contributions. Nominations can be made online at restaurantiowa.com and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on May 15.

' Have a restaurant news tip? Email alison.gowans@thegazette.com or call (319) 398-8339.