Barrel House now open in Marion

Eight months after it announced plans to expand to Marion, Barrel House has opened its first location in the Corridor.

The new Marion location opened Dec. 6 at 295 Tower Terrace Rd., along a stretch between Alburnett Road and 10th Street. The 4,267-square-foot restaurant had an invitation-only soft opening Dec. 5.

The opening has been anticipated since the summer, when Barrel House originally said it would open in Marion, before apparent delays.

The small Iowa chain, first established in 2011, has two locations in Davenport and one in Dubuque. It offers an upscale twist to tavern food, including burgers and fries, signature sauces, sandwiches, wraps and tacos, alongside Iowa-brewed beers and specialty cocktails.

Barrel House’s downtown Cedar Rapids location, which was announced in June, remains on track. Chris Posey, director of marketing and franchise sales, said that location is under construction and should open early next year.

The location at 102 Second St. will fill 3,500 square feet of high-profile real estate downtown after the February departure of La Cantina Bar & Grill, which has one location on Edgewood Road and one in Marion.

Barrel House founder Jimmy Holt previously said he recognized the effect COVID-19 had on downtown Cedar Rapids and the void of restaurant options.

“We saw an opportunity to be at the forefront of the recovery and hope others will follow,” he said.

Comments: Reach reporter Elijah Decious at (319) 398-8340; elijah.decious@thegazette.com