The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Local favorite closes doors

Local+favorite+closes+doors

By Matthew Jack

[email protected]

The café at 121 N. Linn St. was easy to miss in passing, hidden near the Iowa City Press-Citizen newsroom, but locals knew exactly where to find it.

Its widely held reputation for inventive cuisine and warm atmosphere makes the Linn Street Café hard to forget.

A fresh graduate from culinary school, Frank Bowman started as a line cook at the young, modest café in 1994, serving casual fare in a casual atmosphere. He soon owned the establishment.

Although the café remained popular, when a buyer approached Bowman with an offer, he stopped to reflect on his plans for the future.

Despite “a lot of mixed emotions,” Bowman says he made the decision to sell the café and move on to new ventures.

“It’s going to be missed by a lot of people, but it’s at the point where I had been working at the restaurant almost 21 years, and I felt like it was time for a change,” he said. “There’s been a flood of supporting comments.”

Bowman said the decision to close came as a shock, even to him.

“When we realized it was for sure going to take place we had eight days left. These last days have been a blur,” he said.

In the ’90s, Bowman manned the kitchen for three years but saw greater potential for the dining experience. When he picked up on the owner’s desire to sell, he approached his boss with an offer, and he and his wife soon made their first entrepreneurial venture when he was just 24.

Although already a local success, Bowman used his culinary training to elevate the cuisine to an upscale café and a local favorite — a popular spot for first dates, birthdays, or weekly traditions.

He recalls a loyal clientele and his satisfaction at being able to host over two decades of good food and good company.

“They’ve been an amazing business downtown for a long time,” said Nancy Bird, president of the Iowa City Downtown District. “They’re making decisions that are good for the family, and we wish them the best.”

With no one else behind the business but him and his wife, Bowman credits his success to his employees.

“I’m fortunate enough to have some fantastic people working with me,” he said. “The current staff was no exception”

On Nov. 28, the last day Linn Street Café was open for business, the restaurant was packed as people hurried to book their last meals at a staple of Iowa City cuisine.

“People were very sad to see their favorite restaurant go,” he said.

Regarding his next venture, he concedes his plans are open-ended. “I truthfully don’t know,” he said.

“Linn Street Café has been among a lovely group of North Side restaurants that has served the community well,” said Nancy Quellhorst, president and CEO of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to a new establishment to complement the Motley Cow, Devotay, and other outstanding North Side restaurants.”

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