Restaurant Returns to Former Popoli Location in Cedar Rapids

Nearly two years after Popoli Ristorante closed its doors for good, a new restaurant has announced plans to open in the same location.

The historic People's Bank Building sits at 101 Third Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the building was designed by Louis Sullivan in 1911. It features a mini-museum including the restoration of original architecture including the Vault Room Door. The 50,000 pound door was restored following the 2008 flood.

The Gazette reports that Popoli was open in the building from 2014 until December of 2020. It later re-opened from September of 2021 to May of 2022, hoping that big events in downtown Cedar Rapids would bring in customers. After the closing of the restaurant the space in the building became an event center operated by Peppercorn Food Company according to the Gazette.

That same company has now announced plans to open a restaurant called Peppercorn at the Bank. The Gazette reports that the new restaurant is planning on opening for business on November 18th. They will be open for dinner Monday through Thursday. Peppercorn Food Co. is a catering owned by Jude Villafana and Carrie Quast. The Gazette reports that the catering company had been working out of the space formerly occupied by Popoli.