Joe Sample tours restaurants in construction zones

Local restaurant celebrity Joe Sample, known for championing small-business support, is giving away gift cards to encourage diners to support Cedar Rapids and Marion restaurants impacted by construction zones this summer.

In partnership with Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Sample is handing out twenty $10 gift cards each Friday at businesses in the center of construction — an initiative called “Cookies for Construction,” a nod to the bank’s reputation for serving cookies. The weekly giveaway will continue into September.

Cookies for Construction started earlier in May at Chophouse Downtown, where Construction has impacted sales, according to owner Ryan Avila-Burillo.

Here are the upcoming stops, as reported by KCRG:

May 27: Goldfinch Tap + Eatery in Uptown Marion

June 3: Lion Bridge Brewing Company and Rodina in Czech Village

June 10: Lucky’s on 16th in the Czech Village

June 17: The Red Frog in Czech Village

June 24: Jimmy Z’s in downtown Cedar Rapids

July 1: Runt’s Munchies, 529 Fifth Ave. SE , Cedar Rapids; and The Hip-stir and Zoey’s Pizzeria in Uptown Marion.

Aug. 5: Big Shots, 1803 Sixth Ave. in Marion

Aug. 12: Cafe St. Pio in Czech Village

Aug. 19: Frydae and Bistro 319 in Uptown Marion, and SOKO Outfitters in Czech Village

Aug. 26: Up in Smoke BBQ in Czech Village

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