The long-awaited full opening of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids is imminent.
After a series of invitation-only “soft opening” events Jan. 4-6, the first floor of the three-story Pickle Palace entertainment complex is expected to fully open to the public by Jan. 12, lead developer Graig Cone said.
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- Players test out the pickleball courts at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- A second-floor balcony overlooks the pickleball courts at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- A handpainted mural created by Des Moines artist Maddy Fusco is featured in the pickleball court area of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- A closer look at a portion of the mural in the pickleball court area of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Des Moines artist Maddy Fusco works on a portion of a mural at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Arched windows offer an indoor view of the pickleball courts at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Gilded thrones offer a prime photo setting at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- The merchandise shop at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Elaborate globe lights greet visitors at the entrance to the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Hand-laid hex tile flooring, intended to evoke an old-school vibe, is featured throughout the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- The main seating area at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids features a casual atmosphere. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- A group of visitors poses for a photo during a “soft opening” Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- The hex tile flooring theme is continued into the elevator at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- A look at the third floor lounge, including a solid copper bar shown at left, at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. The bar was crafted by La Bastille of Savannah, Georgia. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Couches are among the casual seating options in the third-floor duckpin bowling section of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- The duckpin bowling lanes at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- A closer look at the duckpin bowling lanes at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Mahogany paneling and vintage-style lighting sets the mood in the third-floor lounge of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- A view of the second-floor balcony overlooking the pickleball courts at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- A solid pewter bar, created by La Bastille of Savannah, Georgia, is the dominant feature of the second-floor bar balcony at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- The second-floor balcony offers this overhead view of the pickleball courts at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- The event space on the second floor of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids can be divided into several smaller spaces, depending on need. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- One of the many seating areas at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Pickle Palace elevator sign
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- A directory describes each floor of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- Attendees enjoy the food and drink offerings at an invitation-only “soft opening” of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
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- The Pickle Roll Dip, featuring assorted raw vegetables and fried saltines, at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT TRACY PRATT
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- The Airline Chicken (front) and Green Goddess bowl at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT TRACY PRATT
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- The chocolate tart with raspberry sauce (front) and bread pudding at the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT TRACY PRATT
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- An exterior view of the First Avenue facade of the Pickle Palace in downtown Cedar Rapids. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT
The first floor of the $17 million, 37,455-square-foot complex at 101 First Ave. SW includes four indoor pickleball courts, as well as a full-service bar and restaurant and a merchandise space.
By Jan. 26, Mr. Cone said he hopes to fully open the third floor space, which includes six duckpin bowling lanes and a rooftop pub and lounge, along with an outdoor seating area overlooking the downtown Cedar Rapids skyline.
And the second floor is expected to open two weeks thereafter, featuring an event space (dubbed Crown Hall) and a balcony bar overlooking the pickleball courts.
Even after more than a year of construction work, the phased opening of the Pickle Palace has come down to a race to the finish line, Mr. Cone said.
“This is crazy time,” he said. “It’s kind of like opening three restaurants at one time, you know, maybe even more, because we’ve got three levels of kitchens and restaurants. Then throw the pickleball in there, plus the duckpin, and it’s kind of a monster to get over the (finish) line.”
Mr. Cone said he’s aware of the community’s anticipation for the Pickle Palace opening, joining the recently-opened Big Grove Brewery in the burgeoning Kingston Yard development at First and First West. He said he hopes the “soft opening” events have adequately prepared the staff for serving the initial rush of customers next week.
“It is wrapping up now, but it’s a tricky thing,” he said. “Cedar Rapids is known for just pouncing on new restaurants, and you want your staff to be ready. Just like any other job, It takes a little while to ramp up to full speed, so sometimes, if things ramp up slowly, it’s better. We’ve had restaurants before that we didn’t even announce – we just literally turned the lights on and opened in one night.”
Learn more about the Pickle Palace, including its offerings and details on opening dates, go to the PIckle Palace website at www.playpicklepalace.com
