– 75+ businesses recognized as Legacy Businesses in Downtown –
(April 29, 2025) Iowa City, IA – The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) has designated May as Legacy Business Month for Downtown Iowa City. Coinciding with National Small Business Month, this new campaign is aimed at celebrating, highlighting, and honoring the significant contributions of the community’s longest-running businesses to the city’s cultural identity and economic vitality. Throughout May, the ICDD will recognize more than 75 Legacy Businesses with marketing features, an online Legacy Business Map, retail shopping incentives, happy hour gatherings, and a special dining passport.
Naming May as Legacy Business Month is an initiative by the Iowa City Downtown District to celebrate, support, and encourage patronage of businesses that have had a significant impact on Downtown Iowa City over time. A Legacy Business is classified by ICDD as a long-standing business that has operated continuously for at least 20 years, enduring the test of time while shaping the economic and cultural landscape of Downtown Iowa City.
The impact of these long-running Legacy Businesses on downtown cannot be overstated. With more than 75 businesses recognized, they continue to serve as a powerful economic engine for the area. In addition to cultivating fierce customer loyalty—sometimes spanning generations—these businesses play a critical role in maintaining local ownership of businesses and property, and in providing a stable employment base, even during economic downturns. Their impact extends far beyond economic contributions.
“These long-standing businesses are more than just your bank, law office, or places to simply shop or dine—they are cultural anchors that have helped define the character of our downtown for decades,” said Betsy Potter, Executive Director, Iowa City Downtown District. “Legacy Business Month allows us to celebrate their resilience, expertise, and the authentic experiences they provide that cannot be replicated elsewhere,” Potter added.
As part of the month-long celebration, the District has launched several initiatives designed to promote exploration and support of these iconic establishments. A new online Legacy Business Map highlights each business, making it easy for visitors to discover and appreciate their stories. Throughout May, the ICDD will share business features online, host Thursday Happy Hour events, and launch a Legacy Dining Passport along with a Retail Bounceback Shopping Incentive to encourage participation. For the full list of Legacy Business Month happenings, visit downtowniowacity.com.
The initiative was inspired by successful programs in more than 20 cities across the country. “Many major cities like San Francisco and Chicago have established similar programs to preserve their commercial heritage. ICDD is extremely proud to have 22% of our businesses recognized as Legacy Businesses,” said Christopher Hunter, Director of Marketing, Iowa City Downtown District.
