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Downtown CR restaurant blend to close

The owners of the downtown Cedar Rapids restaurant blend, at 221 Second Ave. SE, have announced it will close Thursday, citing a slow year and budget woes.

Co-owners Vic Kuper, Mark Young and Andy Deutmeyer said the closure is due to a combination of new debts taken on to restore their restaurant after the flood, and this year's slow local economy. The decision was finalized on Dec. 23, and the staff of 20 learned of the news on Saturday.

After the announcement, Downtown District President Doug Neumann said, "People need to continue to support flood-affected businesses. Many of them are local, family owned businesses, providing unique and wonderful products and services. But many of them are struggling under new debt they took on to rebuild from the flood."

CorridorBUZZ.com dining reviewer LaDawn Edwards gave the restaurant a mostly positive review in January 2008. "Most of the food was fabulous," she wrote. "Chef Andy Deutmeyer does indeed blend flavors in unexpected ways in his unique Cedar Rapids restaurant that does its own thing."