A NewBo Bakery & Restaurant is Moving to Downtown Cedar Rapids

Another NewBo eatery is opening a shop outside of the market! According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, K.C. Cakes and Cajun is moving to Downtown Cedar Rapids!

The New Location

Back on October 10th, K.C. Cakes and Cajun teased a big announcement on their Facebook page. The post featured a photo of a storefront in Downtown Cedar Rapids, and the caption reads:

"Soon enough our name will be on that sign. Stay tuned for the biggest update yet... Downtown CR we can't wait!"

Just one day later, owners Krystan Proctor and Alex Cooley posted a lengthy update to formally introduce themselves and inform their customers of their big move. They revealed that they have "outgrown" their current space, and are excited to relocate and take on a new challenge. Krystan told the Cedar Rapids Gazette:

“We’ve not had the space to be able to do what we need to do. This gives us more freedom to get out there and add what we want to add.”

K.C. Cakes and Cajun will relocate to the Armstrong Center Food Court at 210 3rd Ave SE in Cedar Rapids, with hopes to officially open in early November.

About K.C. Cakes and Cajun

K.C. Cakes and Cajun opened inside NewBo City Market in November of 2023, offering a variety of baked goods, including cakes, cookies, brownies, and cheesecake. Then, in early 2025, they moved to a booth on the opposite side of NewBo and expanded the menu, offering classic Cajun cuisine. Owner Alex hails from New Orleans, and Krystan said that his dream was to bring "the comforting Cajun foods he grew up" to the Cedar Rapids area. The shop now offers dishes like jambalaya, po' boys, red beans & rice, shrimp etouffee, and BBQ pulled pork, in addition to the homemade baked goods.

The Gazette reports that K.C. Cakes and Cajun plans to expand their menu at the new location, offering more fried food and Cajun cuisine options.

What About NewBo?

K.C. Cakes and Cajun will continue operations at NewBo City Market until the end of the year. According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, "their original location in NewBo City Market will close when their lease ends on Dec. 28."

In addition to K.C. Cakes and Cajun, there are still plenty of other eateries at NewBo to keep you full! Here are their current food vendors, courtesy of the official website:

• Aroma Artisan Pizza
• Bread and Buttered Bakery
• Caribbean Kitchen
• La Reyna
• Lori Ann's Candies
• Luna Gelato and Ice Cream
• Nechus
• Oja
• Roasters Coffee House
• Saatvik Swaad
• Smiley’s Soup and Sandwiches

K.C. Cakes and Cajun isn't the only NewBo shop that is moving out into their own space. There have been quite a few vendors at NewBo City Market that have gone on to find success elsewhere in recent years! Other former NewBo shops that you can visit at new locations include:

• Anh's Bread Therapy -  77 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
• Aroma Artisan Pizza (still has a location at NewBo) - 151 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
• The Barkery - 76 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
• The Full Bowl - 120 10th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids

The Future of NewBo City Market

NewBo City Market is working on a major expansion project called 'Next Level Local,' which will include the addition of a second level, a grocery store, an indoor stage, space for 10 new shopkeepers, and more. Construction was originally supposed to begin on September 1st, but an August article from the Gazette says that is "has been pushed back a few months from an intended fall ground breaking." You can read more about the project HERE.

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