Pinoy Cafe closing at NewBo City Market

CEDAR RAPIDS — Pinoy Cafe, a Filipino restaurant booth at NewBo City Market, will be closing its doors after nearly five years in business.

Owned by Blanche Vega and her family, the business started as stands at cultural festivals and fairs. In September 2018, it opened in NewBo.

Pinoy Cafe’s last day open will be March 26.

After five years of growth thanks to loyal customers, owner Vega said her priorities have changed.

“As much as I would love to grow my business even more, I choose myself and family first,” she said in a post on Pinoy Cafe’s social media. “Maybe someday, I can do this again without hesitation and with 100 percent focus if God permits.”

Vega, who studied restaurant and hotel management in college, had always worked toward the restaurant goal with a vision for a brick-and-mortar cafe. She moved from the Philippines to the United States with her husband about 15 years ago.

Her mother-in-law, Juliet Miller, specialized in lumpia — fried rolls filled with pork or chicken, and is the primary chef for the business.

The note thanks customers for their support over the years.

Comments: (319) 398-8340; elijah.decious@thegazette.com