Did Tamed-Down Drinking Scene Force Iowa City Business to Downsize?

An Iowa City pizza shop is on the move after 13 years on Dubuque Street.

Pizza on Dubuque is moving to 213 Iowa Avenue next to the Blue Moose Tap House. The plan is to open under the name Pizza Pod, tentatively in early June, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reports.

Owner Al Risk told the Daily Iowan the recession and the 21-only ordinance, which had the effect of shrinking the drinking scene, at least for a time, was responsible for him downsizing.

“The partiers would come in and eat our pizza, and the 21-ordinance really killed our business,” Risk said. “That was our bread and butter; that was what prompted our business. A lot of people didn’t realize it affected places other than bars. I didn’t even sell beer, but it happened right after the recession, and that was the final blow.”

Meanwhile, a manager at Pizza on Dubuque and the owner of Nodo, a sandwich shop located next to Ace Hardware in North Dodge Street, plan to rent the old Pizza on Dubuque space. They will open a Nodo Downtown, which will have outdoor seating and beer and wine.

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