Despite growth, this Boise chain just closed its Caldwell restaurant after 11 months

A Boise restaurant brand with ambitious expansion goals has taken a step back in Canyon County.

Paddles Up Poke has closed its recently opened Caldwell location, according to the Boise brand’s Facebook page.

The store at 712 Arthur St. in Indian Creek Plaza debuted Nov. 19, 2021.

“We had an amazing year there,” owner Dan Landucci wrote, explaining that the commute and time involved were weighing on his family life.

“We started Paddles Up so I can create a schedule where I could attend dinners every night with my family and go to every sporting event or dance class for my kids,” he explained. ”I wasn’t able to do that anymore, and had to make some changes.

“Our Nampa location is just a short way away,” he added, “and is excited to continue to represent the 2C!”

Since opening it original Boise store at 237 N. 9th St. in 2017, Paddles Up Poke has expanded steadily. The Idaho brand’s customizable bowls and burritos — filled with chunks of raw, marinated fish — are both tasty and health-conscious.

In mid-2020, Landucci told the Statesman that he had a five-year goal of opening 50 restaurants. With Caldwell shuttered, Paddles Up has five locations. In addition to the flagship store in downtown Boise, Paddles Up also opened last month inside The Warehouse Food Hall at 370 S. 8th St. Other locations are inside the Education Building at Boise State University, at 3690 E. Monarch Sky Lane at The Village at Meridian, and at 1217 1st St. South in Nampa.

Paddles Up Poke’s former Caldwell space will be taken over by a Gandolfo’s Deli, Landucci said.

This story was originally published October 24, 2022 at 5:50 PM.