‘I don’t think it’s cause for alarm’ District leaders optimistic despite closures in Czech Village

The stable Czech Village bakery was closed last year, district leaders say new ownership has plans for the property.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Leaders with the Czech Village and New Bohemia District in Cedar Rapids say they’re optimistic about the future despite three restaurants closing in the last four months.

The closures include the Czech Village staple, Sykora Scratch Bakery, which closed its door last year.

The building the bakery occupied, which was built in 1900, is now owned by Kory Nanke, a developer in Cedar Rapids who operates several restaurants.

Czech Village and New Bohemia Executive Director Jim Miller told TV9 there are plans for the historic property, but those plans have not yet been announced.

“Well certainly for the district, the district is healthy,” Miller said. “We have many good things happening. Businesses closing get attention, people pay attention and say, ‘is something wrong?’ I don’t think anything is wrong. I think owning a business is harder than it’s ever been.”

Miller said while the closures look bad, they’re often just a natural part of business and don’t reflect on the district as a whole.

“I think every business has a life-cycle, I think every business district has a life-cycle that things come and go, things open and close,” Miller said. “I don’t think it’s cause for alarm both in Czech Village and new Bohemia.”

Items from the now closed Sykora Bakery in Czech Village went up for auction online Tuesday morning. That included all the equipment used in the bakery, including ice cream machines and 60 quart mixers.