Sykora Bakery building purchased by property owner, restaurateur

CEDAR RAPIDS — Sykora Bakery is closing its long chapter as a nostalgic shop in Czech Village, according to the latest signs of movement after being purchased by a Cedar Rapids property mogul and restaurateur.

The property at 73 16th Ave. SW, which closed mid-2023 before a failed attempt to revamp the storefront with a new owner in September, has changed hands. Property records from the Cedar Rapids City Assessor show the property was sold for $290,000 in December to KN Properties 3 LLC, a holding company related to restaurateur and property owner Kory Nanke.

Nanke’s restaurant group, Epic Catering, has a hand in multiple restaurants around Cedar Rapids, including the former Bostons, Midtown Station, Midtown Reserve and Czech Town Station, which is next door to the Sykora building.

“The closure of this beloved scratch bakery marks the end of an era,” said Backes Auctioneers in an online listing for the former bakery’s commercial equipment. The auction for everything from 60-quart mixers to an ice cream cabinet ended Feb. 20.

The bakery’s iconic Hubbard Oven, installed in the 1920s, also was among auction items. The oven was operational until the flood of 2008, and returned to service in 2010 as an educational centerpiece.

The historic site, built in 1900, began housing various bakeries in 1903. In 1927, Joseph and Clara Sykora started Sykora Bakery, operating it for nearly 40 years.

After Joseph’s death in 1966, the bakery was owned and operated by the couple’s sons, Lumir and Lester, until 1994.

John and Sue Rocarek, the last owners of the building, operated Sykora Bakery for more than 22 years.

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