Maid-Rite West is shown Jan. 14, 2025, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The long-time sandwich shop is closing its doors on Jan. 15. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

UPDATE: Jan. 16, 2025, with further comments from the owners, at end.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Known as the “oldest sandwich shop in Cedar Rapids,” Maid-Rite West is closing its doors on Jan. 15, 2025.

“It’s Time to Say Goodbye,” the owners posted on Facebook on closing day. “Today, we close the doors of Cedar Rapids’ oldest sandwich shop for the final time. As we reflect on the journey, we are overwhelmed with gratitude, joy, and just a little heartache.”

More: See photos from last day of Cedar Rapids grocery store

The owners, Jamie and Kelsie Hoth, previously noted that several factors led to their decision to close the shop at 621 First Ave. SW, which has been serving the popular loose-meat sandwiches and more for about 90 years. The business will be open as usual, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until the food runs out on the final day.

A sign advertises one of the meals available at Maid-Rite West in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

“At the end of the day, this is a deeply personal decision about where we feel we can best focus our time and resources moving forward,” they wrote, adding that they hoped the legacy would continue under the shop’s manager.

Jillian Hopkins, who has managed Maid-Rite West the past four years, said that doesn’t appear to be in the cards, due to the expense of buying the business.

“Right now, it’s not looking realistic,” said Hopkins, who had worked at the Lindale Mall Maid-Rite about 16 years until it closed in 2020.

From what they could determine, Maid-Rite West was originally in a trailer on Second Avenue SW before opening at its current site around 1931 or 1932, she said.

Other sources put the opening at 1935, but regardless, Hopkins said, “it’s been here a long time.”

On the eve of closing day, she worked with her sister, Jessicca Hopkins, and mother, Sandy Maish, as they served some of the final customers, including Michael and Lanae Horning of Cedar Rapids.

Cheese-Rites and onion rings are shown Jan. 14, 2025, at Maid-Rite West in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

“This is a place that’s going to be missed,” Lanae said, as the two were served their favorite Cheese-Rite sandwiches and onion rings.

Customer Fred Koontz agreed.

Koontz remembered dining frequently at another Maid-Rite on the east side of Cedar Rapids at First Avenue and 13th Street, owned by a classmate’s parents that has since closed.

A Marion Maid-Rite also previously closed, along with others in the area, leaving Maid-Rite West as the last in Cedar Rapids. Other Maid-Rites are still open elsewhere in Iowa, including Muscatine, where the sandwich originated in 1926.

According to legend, Butcher Fred Angell worked to combine a special cut of ground beef with a select blend of spices. When a deliveryman tasted the loose-meat sandwich, the story goes, he proclaimed it was “made right.”

A sign notes the closing day at Maid-Rite West. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Maid-Rite West was among the first flood-hit shops on the west side of Cedar Rapids to reopen after the unprecedented 2008 flood, and then-owner Jim Hanson made the sandwiches, baked beans and potato salad for President Barack Obama, his staff and reporters in 2012.

“Hot Rites” with mashed potatoes and gravy, hot turkey sandwiches, shakes and malts and desserts were among favorites, along with the top selling Maid-Rite sandwiches, with a variety of toppings, Hopkins said.

Dining with his wife, Nancy, Koontz ate his final Maid-Rite sandwich on Jan. 14, 2025, with ketchup and mustard.

“One last time,” he said. “One last Maid-Rite, good and greasy.”

The owners added these comments Jan. 16, 2025, on a Facebook post:
“Here are the actual facts: we offered the business itself for $0, with the condition that the buyer purchase the building at its fair market value. Unfortunately, they weren’t interested in owning the business without the building.
To those suggesting we “gift” an entire First Avenue property simply for the sake of the Maid-Rite name, I ask—would you? This is a major piece of real estate, and while we understand the nostalgia tied to this business, we also have to make decisions that are financially responsible and aligned with our future.
Behind every business on Facebook are real people—people with families, lives, and challenges. It’s disheartening to see so many keyboard warriors spreading misinformation and pointing fingers without fully understanding the situation. What purpose does that serve? It doesn’t help, and it only adds negativity during an already emotional time for us all, employees and owners.
We’ve all done what we could to make this work, and it’s time to stop putting undue pressure on either side. The potential buyer would absolutely make it work if she could, and we respect the effort she has put in. However, despite over two weeks of consideration, we simply couldn’t come to a feasible solution. That is no one’s fault—sometimes, things don’t align, and that’s okay.
The truth is simple: the business isn’t financially viable for us anymore, the building is an asset we can’t give away, and we’ve decided to move on. This isn’t about greed or villains; it’s about reality.”

See photos from the final days of the Marion Maid-Rite and more from Maid-Rite West, below: