A Once Popular Downtown Cedar Rapids Lunch Place is Closing

For the last seven years that I've worked at Townsquare Media, I've eaten at Prairie Soup Company hundreds of times. The restaurant has been incredibly convenient for folks that work in the Downtown Cedar Rapids area, especially ones that (like us) work  inside the Plaza 425 building. Unfortunately, downtown workers will no longer be able to enjoy lunch at Prairie Soup anymore. The restaurant announced on Facebook this morning (March 23rd) that the location at 425 2nd St SE will be closing for good at the end of the month. The post reads:

"Due to many reasons both in and out of our control, we will be closing our downtown location effective March 31st. We will continue to operate at NewBo City Market with our limited menu consisting of soups, salads, and paninis. We appreciate the continued support and can't wait to continue serving the Cedar Rapids community at NewBo."

Before the pandemic hit back in 2020, the lines at Prairie Soup Company during lunchtime were always really long. Since then, I've noticed a steep decline in customers. I suspect that there are lots of people that are continuing to work from home, so there just isn't as much traffic for downtown restaurants. All of us here at the radio station have been concerned that this would happen, especially after they changed their hours and stopped serving breakfast a few months ago.

The good news is that the NewBo City Market location, which opened back in the summer of 2021, will continue to operate, so you'll still be able to have some of your favorite soups, salads, and sandwiches. You can get the latest updates from the restaurant HERE.