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Today’s your last chance to grab a Legacy Retail

Today’s your last chance to grab a Legacy Retail Bounceback voucher! Spend $200 or more at participating legacy businesses and get $40 back while supporting the downtown staples that have helped shape Iowa City’s charm. To mark the occasion, we’re spotlighting a cherished and curious corner of downtown: The Haunted Bookshop.

Established in 1978, the @hauntedbookshopiowacity has become a cornerstone of Iowa City’s literary life. After locations on South Johnson, East Washington, and North Linn Streets, the store found its forever home in 2013 at 219 N. Gilbert Street, nestled inside the historic 1847 Wentz House. Once home to Caroline Wentz and later Iowa City’s first female mayor, Emma Harvat, the Greek Revival residence is on the National Historic Register—a fitting place for a store brimming with stories.

With ten curated rooms and over 45,000 titles across 80+ genres, The Haunted Bookshop feels more like a literary living room than a retail space. From its cozy reading nooks to cat-sized windowsills, every inch of the shop is designed to invite exploration and quiet connection.

Owner Nialle Sylvan took over the store in 2004 at age 26, captivated by its welcoming energy and history. Since then, she’s lovingly expanded its legacy by merging with other local bookstores—Northside Book Market, The Bookery, and Murphy-Brookfield Books—creating a living archive of Iowa City’s literary past and present.

The shop takes its name from The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley, a novel about booksellers, romance, and mystery. Fittingly, the store is “haunted” not by ghosts, but by stories—and maybe the occasional white cat. Resident felines Esk and Sophie charm visitors with their sleepy companionship, while the elusive Écaille Echo—spotted only by customers—adds a magical touch of mystery.

What sets The Haunted Bookshop apart is its role as a community anchor. “People come to find, bring, or swap out books,” Nialle says. “And because of that, the store has become a channel in which the character of Iowa City passes.”

Friday’s forecast is showing sunny skies and a h

Friday’s forecast is showing sunny skies and a high of 83 degrees - what a perfect evening for Summer Shop Crawl! Make an evening of it by grabbing your friends, significant other, or family and enjoying the start of summertime in laid-back Iowa City. Take a break from shopping for a bite to eat on a nearby patio, then continue the crawl until your totes are full. This is a ‘choose-your-own-adventure” shopping experience where you can pick your own route and visit as many stores as your heart desires.

Join us this Friday, May 30th from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased through the link in our bio.

$15 Tickets Include:
☀️A customized shop crawl glass
☀️A surprise gift
☀️A branded downtown tote
☀️Access to sales and drinks at each participating store (alcoholic and NA options will be available)

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!

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