The Bohemian building sells to Cedar Rapids property mogul, restaurateur

CEDAR RAPIDS — A historic New Bohemia building has sold to a Cedar Rapids property mogul and restaurant owner.

The historic Matyk building at 1029 Third St. SE, previously occupied by The Bohemian restaurant, has sold to “NH Florida 1 LLC,” a company registered to Kory and Kevin Nanke. Kory Nanke, owner of Epic Catering LLC, houses an array of restaurants across his Cedar Rapids properties, including Riley’s Cafe on 5th, Midtown Reserve, and Midtown Station.

The building was sold on Feb. 24 for $250,000. It was first listed on the market for $990,000 in early 2023, before an apparent foreclosure or forfeiture in May 2024, according to Cedar Rapids City Assessor records.

The latest move comes after another purchase of a well-known landmark. In February 2024, another LLC holding of Kory Nanke purchased the former Sykora Bakery building in the Czech Village for $290,000.

The property, built in 1893, was previously owned by Mike and Lynette Richard, who bought it in 2000. Before the flood of 2008, the second floor served as their home while the main level served as a workspace and youth art center. Around 2017, they started to convert the 7,800-square-foot building into one business.

Their restaurant, The Bohemian, opened in March 2021 with an eclectic collection of art and artifacts displayed across three floors. The restaurant closed in September 2022 shortly after staff members quit, citing unpaid wages.

It was first built by the Matyks, a Czechoslovakian immigrant family who originally used it as a dry good store.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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