What's new in Johnston - the notable openings around town, tracked as they're confirmed.

Somebody's chasing a dream down the street from you. Here are the newer places that have opened around Johnston, with a lean toward Merle Hay Road and the growing Johnston Town Center. Know one? Go say hi.

Jump to every new business registered since June →

Zeke's Rooftop & Grill

A bar-and-grill with a rooftop patio on Merle Hay Road (6201 Merle Hay Rd, Ste 110). It runs a full lunch and dinner menu daily from late morning, plus weekend brunch. One of the newer additions to Johnston's Merle Hay dining strip.

Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs

The cannabis-themed sub franchise brought its toasted subs, munchie treats, and a full 21-and-up bar to 5260 Merle Hay Road, opening in late 2024 with an official ribbon-cutting the following spring. It's one of the chain's Iowa locations.

Backpocket Pin & Pixel

Part of the Johnston Town Center development, this is a Backpocket Brewing taproom on one side and an arcade with games and bowling on the other - food, local beer, and a night out for families and grown-ups both. It sits right in the middle of Johnston's newest gathering spot; more on that district in our Johnston Town Center guide.

Newly registered in Johnston

The places above are the ones you can already walk into. This is everyone else: every business that filed with the State of Iowa listing a Johnston home office, freshest first. That is 98 filings since June 1. It does not count another 650 companies that only use a registered-agent office on Corporate Drive as their mailing address; those are not Johnston businesses. A filing means someone registered a business, not that a storefront is open yet. Tap a category to filter.

Showing the newest 60 of 98 filings, through September 1, 2026. Names that do not say what the business does are labeled New registration. Look any of them up in the State of Iowa business search.

New businesses in Johnston: FAQ

What new businesses are opening in Johnston?

Johnston's newer arrivals cluster along Merle Hay Road and the Johnston Town Center development. Recent openings include Zeke's Rooftop & Grill, Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs, and Backpocket Pin & Pixel. The weekly Brief flags new ones as they're confirmed.

How do I find out what's coming to Johnston?

The weekly Johnston Brief tracks new business openings, groundbreakings, and coming-soon signs around town - especially in growth areas like Johnston Town Center and the Merle Hay corridor.

Is Johnston a good place to open a business?

Johnston pairs a high median household income with steady suburban growth and a busy commercial corridor on Merle Hay Road, which is why both local entrepreneurs and national brands keep adding locations here.

Where is Backpocket Pin & Pixel in Johnston?

Backpocket Pin & Pixel is in the Johnston Town Center development on Merle Hay Road. It pairs a Backpocket Brewing taproom with an arcade and bowling, so it works for both families and a night out.

When did Cheba Hut open in Johnston?

Cheba Hut opened its Johnston location at 5260 Merle Hay Road in late 2024, with an official ribbon-cutting the following spring.