Rotary gift gives group naming rights for NewBo City Market hall

CEDAR RAPIDS – The NewBo City Market surpassed the $3 million goal of its community campaign and awarded naming rights to the market's main building with a $200,000 gift from Cedar Rapids Metro Area Rotary Clubs.

A grand opening for the market, 1100 Third St. SE, will be Oct. 27 to 28, officials also announced Tuesday, July 17.

Board President Patrick DePalma said the market's main building will be named Rotary Hall, with a 5-foot-diameter Rotary seal embedded in the market floor.

“This puts us over the top,” DePalma said of the market's capital campaign.

Funding is still needed to add elements to the market, such as a fitness playground and water feature for the children's area and a charging station for electric vehicles, he said.

The grand opening will feature cooking demonstrations, entertainment and a gala celebration, as well as a children's day highlighted by Kirkwood Community College's Culinary Kids Camp. Permanent indoor vendors will open that day.

Workers are renovating an 18,000-square-foot warehouse at the former Quality Chef site in the New Bohemia neighborhood for the market hall, which will be open year-round. Outdoor vendors will sell fresh produce and more in-season.

Downtown Rotary President Lois Buntz noted that the Rotary will mark its centennial in Cedar Rapids in 2014 and the NewBo Market gift represents the philanthropic piece of the club's anniversary celebration.

Daybreak, Metro North, Sunrise, West, Marion-East, Ely and Downtown Rotary Clubs combined efforts to support the market.

“We can't think of a better way to celebrate 100 years of rich history for Rotary in our community,” Buntz said in a statement. “Partnering with NewBo City Market and the six other Rotary clubs enables us to look 100 years into the future – the future of both the city of Cedar Rapids and the future of Rotary in this community.”