Marion Restaurant Wins State Grant for Expansion Project

Congratulations are in order for a Marion restaurant that just earned grant money from the state of Iowa.

GoldFinch Tap + Eatery, located at 740 10th Street in Uptown Marion, pitched ideas for expansion before a panel of judges in the Main Street Iowa Pitch competition. It was the final round of the Open 4 Business competition which concluded Monday night in Cedar Rapids. According to a press release from Uptown Marion, Goldfinch Tap + Eatery finished as the first runner-up in the competition. That earned the restaurant $10,000 in state grants.

Goldfinch was one of five finalists competing for the top prize of $20,000. The press release states that money went to Thyme and Spice Company in Burlington. Other winners included Holz Service and Small Engine in Avoca, BlueMoon Holistic Wellness in Nevada, and Corning Family Chiropractic in Corning.

Goldfinch Tap + Eatery has been open for five years in Uptown Marion. It features a 90% scratch kitchen and serves traditional American dishes, according to the press release. John and Taylor Lillibridge moved from Florida to Cedar Rapids in 2020. John worked as the restaurant's general manager while Taylor worked as the special events coordinator. The couple purchased the business in 2023.

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What does the couple plan to do with the grant money? The press release states that they want to add staff and continue to grow. The purchase of new catering equipment will allow them to book larger-scale weddings, fundraisers, and corporate gatherings. They could also widen the travel radius for offsite work.

Congratulations to Goldfinch Tap + Eatery!