A longtime cafe in Iowa City’s Goosetown neighborhood is nearing the end of its plans to open a second, larger space in downtown Iowa City.

Nodo, 600 N. Dodge St., is slated to open in the former Pizza on Dubuque space, 5 S. Dubuque St., under the name Nodo Downtown, before the start of the University of Iowa’s fall semester on Aug. 26, owner Bryan Asklof said.

The predominantly sandwich-focused shop’s new space is approximately 70 percent finished and will include space on two floors. The original opening had been set for sometime in the month of July.

Asklof said he and business partner Josh Silver should have a more firm opening date beginning the first week of August.

“We pretty much started with an empty box, Asklof said, noting that neutral, light-colored walls, with wood trim, and corrugated metal accents will have striking resemblences to the North Dodge space.

To date, the new space has witnessed the addition of remodeled bathrooms, stair excavations, a reformatted and open-concept kitchen space, and new coats of paint.

In contrast to the North Dodge Street location’s 15-person capacity, the downtown venture will be able to seat more than 50.

And while the core of the restaurant’s menu will remain unchanged, customers can expect to see the addition of beer and wine in the second location, as well as a Cuban and prosciutto and salami sandwiches, a new veggie burger, and more salad and wrap choices.

The second location will also have expanded hours.

Rather than close at 6:30 p.m. each weekday, with a 8 a.m. opening, Asklof said, the Dubuque Street space will stay open until 9-10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday nights, hours will be expanded to midnight.

Unfazed by the presence of several other sandwich shops downtown, Asklof said he believes the company’s reputation, foot traffic on heavily traveled Dubuque Street, and the absence of several local sandwich options will be a perfect fit for the growing downtown core.

— by Quentin Misiag