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Join us for Legacy Happy Hour tonight at George’

Join us for Legacy Happy Hour tonight at George’s—no frills, just great burgers, hot nuts, and some of the best drink deals in town.

George’s Buffet has been a Northside institution since 1939—despite never actually having a buffet—and George-less since Clarence Ruppert bought it from original owner George Kanak in 1948. Since then, the torch has passed through a few local hands, eventually landing with Mike Karr, who’s been behind the bar since the late ’70s and running the show since 1989.

This Iowa City staple is best known for its cheeseburgers—cooked on vintage 1950s Clark electric broilers—and its unbeatable happy hour. Esquire once named it one of the best late-night food joints in the country, and they weren’t wrong.

Add in the classic wooden booths, vintage Hamm’s signs, ice cold beer, 1960s flocked wallpaper (a hand-me-down and neighborhood collab with Pagliai’s Pizza), and a cast of regulars from all walks of life, and you’ve got the kind of place where stories start and good nights end.

Come soak in the unbeatable charm and timeless vibe that only George’s can deliver.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s State of the Downtown Annual Meeting. Your energy, support, and commitment to downtown continue to drive us forward.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to build on this momentum and shape the future of Downtown Iowa City—guided by our renewed Strategic Plan and the progress ahead with our SSMID renewal and expansion. Downtown is the creative and innovative heart of the region, and together, we’re championing a thriving local economy, fostering a vibrant community, and creating welcoming experiences for all.

This work is only possible through strong partnerships and meaningful collaboration. Thank you for dreaming big, thinking locally, and helping us keep downtown original, authentic, and full of life.

At the Downtown Block Party we take pride in trans

At the Downtown Block Party we take pride in transforming the city blocks with experiences and sights you won’t typically find in an urban setting. It’s not every day you get to skate down a street that’s usually bustling with traffic. Come to Block Party on June 28th and roll with @icparksandrec. This is the perfect summertime activity for all ages. Ready, set, let’s roll! Skates and socks will be provided.

Legacy Lunches are happening today, so why not hit

Legacy Lunches are happening today, so why not hit up one of Downtown Iowa City’s tried-and-true lunch spots? Think timeless flavors, welcoming vibes, and a whole lot of local charm.

Here are a few local legends to check out:

@masala_indiancuisine – A longtime staple for fresh, flavorful Indian cuisine in a cozy setting. Their lunch buffet is a downtown favorite.

@quintonsiowacity – Known for their hearty sandwiches, burgers, and soups—plus a great patio when the weather’s nice.

@zmariks – Fast, affordable, and seriously comforting. Their noodle bowls of happiness have been fueling locals for years.

@oasisstreetfood – A Northside favorite since 2004, Oasis is known for its fresh Mediterranean fare, from crispy falafel to creamy hummus. Flavorful and always satisfying.

Don’t forget: When you grab lunch at a participating Legacy Business, get your Legacy Dining Passport stamped. You could win a $200 Downtown Iowa City gift card just for supporting your favorite lunch spots!

Good food, great stories, and a perfect midday break. See you there!

Shop at Legacy Businesses and get $40 back! We’r

Shop at Legacy Businesses and get $40 back! We’re honoring the long-standing retail businesses of Downtown Iowa City with a special shopping reward just for you. This week only, shoppers can earn a free bounce-back voucher when they shop at our downtown legacy retail businesses.

How It Works:

– From May 19–28, when you spend $200 or more (before tax) in-store at any participating downtown retail Legacy Business, you’ll receive a free $40 bounce-back to use during your next shopping trip.
– Your $40 bounce-back can only be redeemed from June 9–14 at any participating retail Legacy Business.
– Bouncebacks must be used in-store, in one transaction, and presented with your original qualifying receipt (physical or digital)

Come support the businesses that give our downtown its character and earn a little something extra while doing it.

Learn more at www.downtowniowacity.com/legacy-businesses

@akardesignstore @artifactsiowacity @blick_iowacity @criticalhitgamesiowacity @daydreamscomics @discerningeye @dulcineaiowacity Ewers @glassandojewelry @handsjewelers @herteens @iowaartisansgallery @iowabook_ic @johnsgrocery @mcgjewelry @omgiftsiowa @prairielightsbooks rsvp @ragstock @rec_collect @revivaliowacity @textilesinc The Art Mission @hauntedbookshopiowacity @velvetcoat

The Northside Outside just got a little touch-up a

The Northside Outside just got a little touch-up and a big pop of color with @drewetienne’s mural getting refreshed and some gorgeous new blooms from @willowandstock—just in time for summer. 🌸

Come snap some pics, grab lunch on the street, hop into a game of hopscotch, and bring the family to Northside Saturday Nights for some free live music and good times all around!

ICDD is thrilled to announce the selected artists

ICDD is thrilled to announce the selected artists for the 2025 BenchMarks Program, an annual tradition that transforms everyday public benches into vibrant works of art.

This year’s gallery of benches, located around the playground in the Ped Mall near the @iowacitypubliclibrary, will once again come alive with color, creativity, and imagination—just in time for summer.

Congratulations to the 2025 BenchMarks Artists:

Carlos Maldonado
John Syrbu
Carrie Guenther
Hannah Jannusch
Nora Cole
Lauren Berry
Madi Sanubari & Eylul Doganay
Kayla Nguyen
Amanda Stout
Lauren Manninen

These talented artists will begin painting this month, with their benches set to be completed by early June. Be sure to stop by to see how they’ve reimagined these public spaces with designs that delight visitors of all ages.

Our Downtown Ambassadors continue to go above and

Our Downtown Ambassadors continue to go above and beyond to keep Iowa City clean, safe, and welcoming. This week, City Councilor Josh Moe joined us for lunch to meet the team, learn about their day-to-day work, and hear more about their incredible impact across the central business district.

Since launching last summer, the Ambassadors have collected over 191,000 pounds of trash, power-washed sidewalks, maintained the parking facilities, and provided friendly hospitality support by giving directions, walking someone to their car, or helping with battery jumps and flat tires.

With warmer months ahead, the Ambassador team has expanded to summer hours. They will be available from 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. seven days a week and until 9:00 p.m. on weekends, Thursday through Sunday.

If you need a hand downtown or spot something that needs attention, you can reach the team by texting or calling the Ambassador service line at 319-452-0608.

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