What’s Happening in Cedar Rapids – Shops

by Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors

When looking to shop in Cedar Rapids, you’ll want to set aside lots of time to explore because there are beautifully curated stores that can be found throughout the region. From Marion to Solon and everything in between, Cedar Rapids and its surrounding communities offer shoppers products and shops you simply can’t find outside of Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Agents in our Cedar Rapids and NewBo offices have shared their favorite stores in and around the area.

Food & Wine Shops

Love shopping and love wine? Combine both your interests and shop at WineStyles Tasting Station and 1st Ave Wine House, the latter being a vintage home that has been converted to showcase wine and gifts in the rooms of the house. Almost Famous Popcorn Company offers small-batch popcorn with big-time flavor! With flavors like” bourbon spikes salted caramel” and “lemon cookie” we’d have to agree!

Uptown Marion

Just north of Cedar Rapids proper, you’ll find the city of Marion. The Uptown Marion District is home to many beloved shops and restaurants. Locals love that, “you can walk around and enjoy a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and outdoor events,” because everything is pretty close in proximity to one another.  We suggest stopping by Uptown Coffee and then after stopping by the several antique stores,  continue your shopping experience at  SCOUT of Marion.  The moment you walk into SCOUT, you know you’ve stumbled upon your new favorite store. A gift shop with “something for everyone” is the perfect way to describe the items found here. One section of the store has cooking and kitchen goods, another section features lovely personal care products and up the stairs, you’ll find a room of adorable infant and young children apparel and goods. And if you love SCOUT of Marion, make sure to add Scribe Stationer, its sister store, to your shopping itinerary! You can take a lunch break at West End Diner to find your favorite fresh breakfast and lunch dishes but be warned, more adorable shops are right next door like Swamp Fox Bookstore and Staged Dwellings, a home goods store with a passion for providing class and timeless home interior furnishings.

You can continue your shopping in Marion by stopping by Mode, a locally-owned women’s boutique featuring beautiful jewelry, warm flannels, and of course, Iowa gear!  You can also shop at their second location in NewBo as well.

The DISTRICT

New Bohemia

New Bohemia or NewBo, as it is known locally, is a vibrant and lively historic neighborhood located along the east side of the Cedar River. This section of The DISTRICT is full of thriving retail shops and restaurants. The NewBo City Market is possibly the largest building you’ll see in NewBo and for good reason! It needs lots of space to showcase the talent of local vendors who reside all over Iowa. Book lovers need to add Next Page Books to their list,  it’s Cedar Rapids’ “hometown independent bookstore,” and it is a cozy place to uncover your next literary adventure. If you love handwritten notes and letters, Scribe Stationer, a store specializing in stationery, is calling your name. Not only is Scribe Stationer a beautifully curated store, but it also resides in an old firehouse, which only adds to its nostalgic simplicity. RayGun is where you go for tongue and check apparel you can’t find anywhere else.

Did you know Ruhl&Ruhl has two locations in Cedar Rapids? One in the heart of the city, and another in NewBo! We highly suggest you take the time to visit both, but if bopping around NewBo come on by!

Czech Village

Located on the west side of the Cedar River is the other section of The DISTRICT, Czech Village. Cedar Rapids is home to many Eastern and Central European descendants that had a lasting impact on the city, most notably in the Czech Village. The streets in the Czech Village are lined with local businesses, many detailed with delicate, colorful European folk art. The beauty of the village is unmatched and definitely worth a stop to visit the one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques.

Walking into Moss Plant Shop is like walking into a peaceful plant oasis. Moss has more than houseplants, they also carry unique ready-made gifts and decor for the room in your house that needs something a little extra special, but of course, they have beautiful plants to choose from as well, hence, the name of the shop. It is decorated with a minimalist style, which lets the plants shine all on their own.

Indigo River & Co is one of the first shops you will see when you make your way to the community’s Czech Village. Indigo River & Co is a store that is focused on sustainability and is Cedar Rapids’ first low-waste refill shop. If looking to reduce the amount of waste you produce visiting this store is a fun and educational experience. The products sold here range from common household tools and utensils made with sustainable materials like homemade soaps, bamboo products, and possibly most interestingly, toothpaste tablets!

Cedar Rapids is fortunate to be surrounded by towns with their own draws, like Swisher and Solon, both have shops to venture out to if in the mood for a drive out of the city. In Solon, check out Moxie +Mortor and Briar Ridge Bikes.

To learn more about the Cedar Rapids area and what it has to offer like community events and favorite shops – check out our Cedar Rapids community page. View homes for sale, find an agent and learn more about the town nestled along the Cedar River.

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