CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - After nearly three years, the NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids is closer to becoming a reality. Construction is on schedule for the year-round public market to open this fall. The market is located on the corner of 3rd street SE just across from Parlor City. It's scheduled to open on October 27th and 28th. Initially, the market will be open just a few days a week, but could expand business hours in the future.

On Tuesday, Newbo City Market leaders announced 21 businesses that will have a permanent spot at the market. Produce, meat, cakes, you name it, it will be there. That means more foot traffic and growth for the NewBo District and more customers for the selected small businesses.

Christopher Oetker has made and sold cakes and pastry's out of his home for nearly 8 years. But come October, he's got a spot in the NewBo Market where he's likely to sell a lot more of his delicious treats. "I always knew something was in my future soon and this was definitely it," said Oetker,"I set a goal for myself that I wanted to have a retail space by 30 and I don't turn 30 till march so it's about right on time." His business is currently known as "Cakes By Christopher" but Oetker said he will change his business name for the NewBo Market because he and his wife will be selling more than just cakes.

The list of vendors provides a little something for everyone. "We've got fresh meat, we've got herbs and spices, we've got Mexican food, we've got Iowa Soul Food Company coming in, a huge variety of delicious and local food," said Kurt Friese, Director of Healthy Food & Advocacy for the NewBo City Market. The Vernon Inn Restaurant, a favorite for many, closed back in May. But have no fear, they too are on the list of merchants. "We’re very pleased to have the Vernon Inn, I know Cedar Rapids is going to be pleased to see them come back," said Friese.

More than 260 businesses and vendors applied to set up shop at the Newbo City Market. A place that's currently filled with just workers and loud noises. All of the walls, electrical work, and some of the pavement is complete at the site but there is still things left to do. "We're closing in very quickly on making it a reality," said Ann Poe, the Executive Director for the NewBo City Market. In just a few months the space will be a year-round hub for food, fun, and learning. A culinary kitchen will even be inside to provide cooking classes to the public. "This really will be a one-stop shop. It's going to be extremely fresh and fun and you'll love what you see at the NewBo City Market," said Poe.

Poe and Friese said narrowing the merchants down was extremely difficult because everyone was deserving. There will be 22 anchor merchants but the following list only has 21. One merchant did not wish to be revealed at this time.

Here is the list of 21:

Bark & Bloom Flowers

Betty & Bobo's Better Breads

Café Tesorrucio

Cakes by Christopher

The Chill Ice Cream

CR Popcorn

Frontier Herbs

The Iowa Soul Food Company

Jojo's Asian Cuisine

LeCraig Meats

Morgan Creek Produce

Pappardelle's Pasta

La Reyna Taqueria & Bodega

Roasters Coffee

Smuggler's Fresh Fish

Smokin' Bonz BBQ

Tatyana's Kitchen

That One Cupcake Place

Vernon Inn

Wallace Farms

Wright Touch Bakeshop